Conventions

Why do we still have political conventions?  The ratings came back on the first day when the three networks were all broadcasting Bill Clinton's speech and some of the juicier parts and they all stink.  ABC did the best at 3.5 rating/5 share.  Now, compare that to a rerun of CSI: Miami - 8.6 rating/13 share.  Now, we can't fully say its a flop until we see the numbers for Thursday when Mr. Kerry gives his acceptance speech and (hopefully) outlines his platform as to how he's going to do the things he says he's going to do (and how he's going to pay for them).
 
Even if Mr. Kerry's speech is a success, that only reinforces the argument that the nominating convention should only be one or two days, not four.  We all know who the nominees are going to be and we usually also know who the vice presidential nominees are as well.  So you're left with three days worth of speeches by people that no one cares about except the party faithful and the news media.  An accurate editorial cartoon I saw, showed three men holding convention banners.  The first two were very excited and they were labeled media and political junkies.  The third man was asleep and was labeled average voter.  We just don't care about these things.
 
Something else that works against the conventions is how dangerously choreographed they need to be.  Mr. Kerry and several members of the Democratic leadership are trying very hard to keep the vitriol down and are only partially succeeding.  Mr. Clinton came in and gave a good speech that was classic of his old days, but prior to him was Al Gore who just looked bad trying to keep those angry feelings in and still let loose a bit of red meat.  Tonight you're going to have Mr. Ted Kennedy speak and aside from boring the viewers with a long speech, he may get carried away and swept into a big Bush-bashing tirade.  All which is something Mr. Kerry must avoid.  People are starting to get very tired of what a person is against and want to start hearing what a person is for.  A good strategy for Mr. Kerry to follow as up to half of the electorate still is fuzzy on him.  But if all they get is three days of red meat, are they going to pay that much attention when he does start to explain himself?  Just another danger that could be nullified if you didn't have to have three days of speeches in front of you.
 
One last thought I had but it isn't convention related.  Mr. Bush came into office saying that he would be a uniter and not a divider.  Obviously that hasn't quite worked the way he planned but I will say that its been quite a while since I've seen both parties united either for or against one person.  Many reporters have said during their canvassing of the floor that they just can't find any real Kerry Democrats.  Its only we-hate-Bush Democrats.  A rather amusing observation on my point that I'm sure other people have already noted.
 
BTW, day one of the bar is upon us.  Mrs. X is working hard and will hopefully pass with flying colors.  Again, all prayers and crossed fingers are appreciated.