Democrats are stoked for their convention where Barack Obama will be our nominee. There are some folks who are angry about Democrats' Iraq impotence, Clinton's loss or other issues, but for the most part Democrats from around the country are excited. Barack Obama moved his acceptance to the Denver Bronco's stadium that will likely have fewer empty seats than if John Elway made a comeback. It looks to be a huge party, and an energizing one that will launch the fall campaign like few others have.
Then there's the Republican convention in Minneapolis St. Paul, where John McCain becomes their standard bearer. Apparently enthusiasm is lacking not just among rank and file, but among leadership. Here's Tom Cole, head of the National Republican Congressional Committee, giving advice to candidates:
The NRCC chief discouraged candidates from attending the national convention in Minneapolis-St. Paul, saying that spending days there would be a "waste of time," and they would be better off campaigning.
The convention starts on Labor Day, a notoriously crappy day to do much other than march in a parade. Everyone's off at a picnic or barbecue and not real interested in listening to some old geezer yapping at them on a rare day off with the family. The convention then goes through Thursday while people are back at work after their long weekend, kids are starting school, and parents are freaking out trying to manage the schedule changes.
Oh, and on Thursday night the defending Superbowl Champion New Jersey Giants play the Washington Redskins.
This awful stretch of weekdays is a better time to be campaigning, according to the guy responsible for electing Republicans to the House of Representatives, than going to a convention where you will be hobnobbing with rich people and corporations who can fund your campaign, provide contacts to supporters, and organize events for you.
That's because the GOP convention, which is supposed to be full of those movers and shakers, won't be and the leadership knows it no matter how much sunshine they want to blow up the media's collective skirt.
Richard Cullen of Politico says things are no better on the Senate side. Cullen notes that of the 12 GOP Senate candidates in competitive races " only three have said they will be attending the convention. Six are definite no-shows, and three are on the fence."
One of those who is coming is Norm Coleman, who represents Minnesota. So that leaves only two out of state Republican Senate candidates who have committed to coming to the convention.
This is just further evidence of the enthusiasm gap facing the Republicans this year. We can watch those polls put Obama up just three to eight points nationally, but the Democratic "likely voters" are much more likely to be voters -- and drag others with them -- than Republican "likely voters."
It's a shocking fall from 2002 and the talk of a permanent Republican majority when you can't even fill you own national convention with candidates for national office.
Couldn't happen to a better bunch of people. Really.