[Oblongata]

"Same here. Too much Gospel and Country music makes Republicans seem like "jist a buncha hicks"."

Thats my fear exactly. Here's a novel Idea, if you want to show contrast with the DNC, leave the music and celebrities out completely. Reinforce how serious the times are, and this election is, by having a serious convention.

I live in Wisconsin, a swing state Al Bore won by 5,000 votes. I can tell you a convention filled with gospel and country music will turn a lot of people off up here.

At no point in the near future will the Republican party be able to compete with the Demoncraps, in terms of celebrity and musical endorsements. Making an attemp to do just that makes us look pathetic. They have Michael Moore, and we have Ron Silver? Are you kidding me? We can't compete so we shouldn't try.

The place where we can beat them is on the issues, and our message. If we stick to that, it will make all the diefference. Plus, we do have the Quasi-Celebrity, Arnold Schwarzenegger. That will be a powerful speech that I look forward to. And I want to hear from The President most of all. If I want to listen to music I'll go to the music store, or buy tickets to a concert I actually want to see.

[Lexinom]

I wish you were right. But the American populace likes to be entertained. If it was purely issues and substance and not glitz and charm, Steve Forbes would have won the nomination in '96.

[Bigg Red]

The place where we can beat them is on the issues, and our message.

&&
I hear you. And, on one level, I agree with you. However, you and I and most Freepers keep up on the issues. But think about those swing voters. If they have not made up their minds yet, perhaps they don't pay that much attention to an issue unless it's wrapped in an entertainment package.

But the really serious need? The GOP ought to spend its money on combating the Rats' voter fraud machine.