RepublicanConventions

The Republican Convention was supposed to begin in St. Paul yesterday. In fact it did, but you might have missed it since John McCain had decided that there would be nothing political in the first day’s business. This is a pretty odd decision in light of the fact that it is a political convention, and what else, other than politics do you do at a convention?

On the plus side it was also decided that the President and Vice-President were not going to attend the convention. This probably helps the election chances of McCain who probably hopes that George W. Bush stays well away.

The reason for these decisions was the fact that there was a very big storm threatening New Orleans and discretion got the better part of valor on this occasion. It seems that this circumspect approach goes against all the natural instincts of McCain, but maybe John is not as gung ho as everyone has described. It might be, that unlike George W. Bush, he sometimes does engage his brain before acting.

It is also curious that McCain had known that Sarah Plain’s 17-year-old unmarried daughter was pregnant when he selected the Governor of Alaska as his running mate nevertheless. Again this, absolutely human and correct decision flies in the face of the common perception of the Republican Presidential nominee. It also means that his running mate is perhaps not the cardboard cut out Annie Oakley as has been characterized. We just don’t know enough about any of the candidate teams, with the exception of Joe Biden, who has said so much on so many issues he could take some bench time to let someone else talk.

Obama, despite his sweeping, stirring oratory is still something of an enigma to the world. Is he also more of a pragmatic, populist politician and less of a genuine conviction leader from the front?

The reason for the candidates’ true selves being obscured is that both sides have reduced the packaging of the Presidential candidates to new lows. Reality is hopelessly submerged in sound bites and cotton candy, and oh so white teeth in fixed smiles.

Guys we know you love your families, you had it tough and you really care, now show us, where’s the beef?

Now that the worst of the hurricane happily bypassed New Orleans with relatively little damage does this mean that the convention will be re-launched as a joyous coronation like the Democratic version last week?

In the rest of the world we are fascinated by these bizarre convention events, and although we can and do pick holes in these American set piece traditions we also envy and enjoy their verve, excitement and gaudy celebration of democracy.

Wouldn’t it be wonderful if Obama felt able to debate McCain in the full view of the American public so that we could see who these people really are, what they truly believe and how they react on their feet to pressure?

The world deserves to know who these men really are and what they believe in. If we had some idea of these answers we might be able to figure out whom to support other than by tribal allegiance to a political party.