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I think the key for Bush/Rove, from this convention, is to not give any of the WhiffleBalls, CrossDressers, and Larry Queen Live talk shows any fodder to hammer the GOP on.

Parading very popular moderates like Guiliani and Arnold out there is the best way to achieve this. Arnold has some baggage, but everybody is sick of that.

It's not going to affect the conservative base like some people think it will.

By the time November comes around, social conservatives won't be holding their nose saying, "I'm not voting today because Arnold was at the convention". That will be long and forgotten by social conservatives who are smart enough to know that it's extremely important to keep the #1 and #4 Senate liberals out of the White House.

The grassroots campaign organized by Rove and the GOP has been extraordinary. No real social conservative is going to be staying home Nov. 2nd out of spite. Trust me.

Parading very popular moderates .......

I don't like "diluting" conservatism. I live in NY. I know how moderate Republicans govern. People are leaving NY in droves because we have the highest taxes in the COUNTRY, the highest electricity costs due to regulations, the highest school education costs because we cow tow to the unions. Our state is FAILING because of moderate Republicans being afraid to stand up to radical liberals.

It's not going to affect the conservative base like some people think it will. By the time November comes around, social conservatives won't be holding their nose saying, "I'm not voting today because Arnold was at the convention".

Not in isolation. But each affront to the already battered conservatives increases their chance that they will not participate in this election. It is a bad idea to have a convention where your most conservative speaker is a member of the Democratic party.

Josh-- I am with you on this one. But I see no reason for Pataki to be given a prime time speech. Other than that, I like the lineup and wouldn't mind seeing Nancy Reagan added.

I don't agree with Arnold and Guilliani on everything but right now, they are the two most popular Republicans on the planet and it would be idiotic not to feature them prominently.

The media loves McCain. So it is that much more effective when he renounces Kerry and enthusiastically endorses Bush. A prime time spot takes away any ammo the Bush bash media may use. The recent Bush commercials featuring McCain are excellent.

Furthermore, McCain is unabashedly pro-life, so the social conservatives cries may ring hollow. But these people like to take their ball and go home whenever they don't get 100% of their agenda.

Nonetheless, I look forward to an excellent GOP convention.