Watching Republican TV

2004-09-04

Speaking from a circular stage

"He has a wonderful dog, Barney, that likes to visit the Oval Office a lot. And he contributes to the president's ability to meet his obligations."
-White House chief of staff Andrew H. Card Jr., addressing the Youth Convention.

A Small Audience
A sparse audience gathered in Cambridge, Massachusetts at Kennedy School of Government on Thursday night to watch George W. Bush accept the Republican nomination on a big screen TV. The president spoke from a stage similar to one used by Mick Jagger in the same hall last year.

The bleacher seats, that were filled for John Kerry's nomination acceptance speech in July, remained folded up against the wall and multiple flat screens around the room were all turned off.

Bush Audience

A less than sympathic international gathering, the audience was comprised mostly of graduate students involved in the study of policy making. Upon hearing the President's phrase, "This progress involved careful diplomacy" many of those watching burst into sneers. Unlike the DNC viewing, there was no popcorn machine, just bags of potato chips and a bowl of party mix.

Kerry Audience

Thanks to The Gothamist in NYC for their RNC wrap-up. We wish them a good sleep and pleasant dreams.