George W. Bush tonight was politician, preacher. But I think Democrats, Republicans, independents would acknowledge he was presidential. He'll have to explain how he can afford to reform or privatize part of Social Security and still afford tax cuts. Nobody should pay more than one third of their income. The process has gone from James Madison to Madison Avenue.
Conventions are now political marketing operations, all about big money, power and influence.
Just over 200 years ago another George W., George Washing-ton, left Philadelphia after two terms as President. In his farewell address Washington warned about the excesses of political parties. He was not talking about conventions, but he could have been. The context includes the Dick Cheney attack speech here last night on the Democrats. Both raised questions about his military service, stressed the plight of the poor in Texas and resurrected the foreign leader pop quiz.