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National Conventions as Show Business
Guest Column | By Paul M. Weyrich | August 27, 2008
Watching the
Fox News Network set up to cover the Democratic National Convention in Denver,
with some 400 Fox employees, brought to memory the three times I attended a
Democratic Convention. The first time was in 1976. Democratic State
Representative Woody Jenkins, of Louisiana, had assembled hundreds of pro-life
delegates. He asked for my help and that of my staff to work with these
delegates to try to convince the Democratic Party to take a pro-life position.
This was the convention which nominated Georgia Governor James Earl Carter, Jr.,
later known worldwide as Jimmy Carter, as their Presidential nominee. The Party
ended up endorsing the Hyde Amendment - i.e., no federal funding for abortion.
It was a remarkable experience. Working with Democrats was rather different. I
had been at Republican conventions in 1960, 1968, 1972 and went on to attend the
Reagan-Ford Convention in Kansas
City in 1976. That convention put the Republicans on
record as moving toward a pro-life stand. It was the last time both parties
leaned toward a pro-life position. By 1980 the Democrats had become captive to
the pro-abortionists while the Republicans came out with a 100% pro-life
platform.
Then in 1992,
Rush Limbaugh, Bill Bennett and I broadcast by satellite from the Democratic
Convention in New
York. We had a minimal crew, only half a dozen. Even
though we had not been broadcasting regularly, we were inundated with telephone
calls from all over America. The success of that
broadcast was a determining factor in launching National Empowerment Television,
or NET, a year and a half later.
By 1996 NET was
a full-time 24/7 television network. I broadcast daily from the Democratic
Convention in Chicago, which included my daily show “Direct
Line,” and at other times as well. We had a crew of some 30 technicians,
producers, directors and talent. Interestingly, the Democrats treated NET far
better than did the Republicans. The Democrats put us in an excellent position
overlooking the convention floor so we could switch to activities on the floor
in the middle of our interviews. Not only that, but the Democrats were very
helpful in obtaining guests to interview. The studio was spacious and
accommodated all who needed to be there. By contrast, the Republicans stuck us
in a corner, far from the action of the floor. It would take guests ten minutes
to get to our broadcast area. The Republicans did nothing to help us get guests.
We had to get them ourselves and then persuade them to take the time to find us.
We were so cramped that I literally had backaches trying to broadcast in this
cramped space. I can’t imagine what Fox is doing with 400 employees although the
Fox broadcast booth is spacious and beautifully laid
out.
In recent years
the political conventions have become staged events, aimed at showing the
Presidential and Vice Presidential candidates in the best possible light. Issues
which are popular with the public are highlighted. Hollywood-style films often
are used to introduce the personalities.
It was not
always the case. In 1964 some reporters were nearly arrested at the GOP
Convention in San
Francisco which nominated Senator Barry M. Goldwater. In
1968 the Chicago Democratic Convention produced riots as the political machine
of Mayor Richard J. Daley clashed with the young leftists who had come to start
a revolution. As late as 1976 it was not immediately clear whether Governor
Ronald W. Reagan or President Gerald R. Ford had won the GOP
nomination.
Since then,
however, the conventions have become carefully managed stage shows. Whoever has
the majority of delegates takes control of the convention. The leadership
determines who speaks - not just who speaks but what speakers say. Defeated
candidates have complained bitterly that their every word is vetted by the
winning candidate. No controversy is permitted. One candidate finally agreed to
a bland script but then went on to memorize a different script raising issues
which were forbidden by the winner. Those in control were not sure what to do.
They toyed with shutting off the microphones but concluded that would probably
cause more trouble.
Time was that
the so-called mainstream networks broadcast for hours for four consecutive days.
No more. Now their time is reserved for major speeches, perhaps two hours a day.
That is because CNN, FOX News and MSNBC broadcast from morning until night. In
addition hundreds of print reporters cover every significant move. This year the
Internet is having a major presence, with bloggers of all sorts reporting their
every impression. Talk radio also has a commanding presence. Row after row of
national and local reporters are producing non-stop interviews. Still, we look
for few surprises. Every minute is choreographed. The vast majority of
delegates go along with this charade. The few who would be inclined to revolt
most likely will be kept from the podium.
It will be very
interesting to see what kind of bounce the Obama-Biden ticket receives from
Denver. The
average bounce is around 8-9%. The Obama camp hopes that the bounce will be
sufficient to override both Senator John S. McCain’s selection of his Vice
Presidential nominee immediately after the Democratic Convention and the
four-day Republican extravaganza to begin a couple of days after the Democrats
leave Denver. This is the first time the conventions are back-to-back. Usually
there is a week or two separating them, thus allowing the first convention to
build and sustain momentum.
Paul Weyrich is Chairman and CEO of the Free Congress Foundation.
© This column is the property of the Free Congress Foundation and may not be reproduced without their permission. For comments and inquiries, contact Phyllis E. Hughes at . Visit our website at http://www.FreeCongress.org.
Guest columns do not necessarily reflect the views of Accuracy in Media or its staff.
3 Comments | Post a Comment
Paul, For a ‘Nation at War’.... the Inaugrial of
the ‘War President’ in ‘04 was equally a “Really Big Shoe” as well. This Nation is rapidly becoming what goes on in The Philippines….. All Show and Spectacle, read as Squander, while everything is crumbling around you and cry for aid to feed and clothe oneself.
Perhaps it’s time for WWII style Rationing…....
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August 29 at 6:24 pm | #1 | Link
For decades I have had the impression more of a three-ring circus when it comes to the DNC and what one can expect from them during the electoral process. One watches them open their mouths just wide enough to change feet - then just before time to head for the polls they get both feet in at once and fall on their donkey tails. We’re about to see it happen again. McCain used excellent timing to knock the wind out of the DNC convention sails and his selection of a Christian pro-life governor of Alaska with a drill-here-drill-now attitude was THE most politically savvy move he could have made. We win:)!! Thanks, Paul, for the great columns - that rare depth of experience is of great help in getting the big picture presented to your readers, and we really appreciate it.