You know, the September GOP convention in New York City has the potential to be wonderful political theatre for the Republicans. You know, September, almost three years after 9/11, in the city that sustained the worst terrorist attack in American history...there's plenty of hay to be made by the Bush campaign, and they're ready to make it.
If Tom DeLay doesn't continue acting like a moron:
The Norwegian Dawn, a 2,240-passenger luxury cruise liner, has 15 decks, 14 bars and lounges and babbling brooks. But even docked at a pier on the Hudson River, it is not New York City. And, to many critics, that is the point.
The House majority leader, Tom DeLay, would like the ship to serve as a floating entertainment center for Republican members of Congress, and their guests, when the convention comes to New York City next Aug. 30 to Sept. 2.
"Our floating hotel will provide members an opportunity to stay in one place, in a secure fashion," said a spokesman for Mr. DeLay, Jonathan Grella. He did not elaborate.
Perhaps Mr. Grella is reluctant to talk because Mr. DeLay's idea has infuriated a cross section of New Yorkers, much to the delight of Democrats and the embarrassment of some Republicans.
Is Tom DeLay really a Democrat? How else to understand how anyone could plan something so boneheaded.
Surely Karl Rove, Michael Bloomberg, and George Pataki will stop this. Right?
Still, few Republicans are willing to publicly challenge Mr. DeLay, whose nickname in Congress is the Hammer.
Representative Vito J. Fossella of Staten Island, the only Republican in the New York City Congressional delegation, initially worked with Mr. DeLay to present the cruise ship idea to the other members. Now, all his spokesman will say is that the idea of the ship is not Mr. Fossella's, he is merely passing on the information to his fellow party members.
Gov. George E. Pataki, the three-term Republican who said in a statement that he would prefer to see conventiongoers use New York's hotels, has not publicly called for Mr. DeLay to abandon the idea.
Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg, a fellow Republican whose relations with Mr. DeLay have nonetheless been strained, has also been cautious with his remarks.
One Republican strategist said he imagined that New York tabloids would run headlines like "Ship of Fools" or "Titanic."
Representative Peter T. King, a Republican from Nassau County, said: "I won't be on the ship. If they want to have it, fine." But, he added, "I think it could send the wrong signal, that Republicans are isolated from the city, just wining and dining and drinking and not being part of city life.
Well, Rep. King, if the delegates actually entered New York City, they might get Blue State Cooties! Eek!
Rep. DeLay, I hope you get your boat. It symbolizes everything Republican about the Republican party. And to those Democrats who may be negotiating to get the same ship for Boston: don't be schmucks. (At least, according to the article, "The cruise line has also approached Democrats about their convention, which will be held in Boston in July, but those talks have not progressed as far as they have with the Republicans, said a spokeswoman, Susan Robison.")