A Preview of the Most Important Convention of the Decade

This Politico headline caught my eye:

Obama to include Republicans in hard-hitting convention

I wonder who? Could we expect a Republican keynote from the guy who said Mitt hasn't paid taxes in a decade?

The convention begins the day after Labor Day, and is one day shorter than the customary length – the four days Republicans will program during their convention in Tampa the week before.

Convention planners are considering featuring a centrist Republican leader on at least two of the three nights. Nightly remotes from swing states may include a CEO or “major Republican.” On Wednesday night, a “notable GOP woman” is among the possible participants. And on the final night, Democrats may include a Republican leader — someone like former senators John Warner or Chuck Hagel — or a GOP woman.
“This segment would speak directly to independents, noting we are all ‘Americans first,’” the documents say. “Depending on the speaker’s background, the President’s military accomplishments might be highlighted.”

Thursday also may include a former military leader, perhaps paired with a former enlisted man or woman. “Ideally they would have witnessed first-hand the difficult decisions [Obama has] made,” the documents say. “A Republican leader would be ideal.”

Read more: http://www.politico.com/...

So it's going to be a Chuck Hagel, John Warner or maybe even--my wild speculation-- Admiral Bill McRaven, the man who oversaw the Osama bin Laden raid.

Here's a brief rundown of what each day will look like:

Tuesday, Opening Night:

First Lady Michelle Obama will begin communicating that message when she speaks on Tuesday night, the convention’s opening session, when her planned remarks will reflect “the middle class values and orientation that POTUS brings to his job every day – how he makes tough decisions, what his north star is.”

Read more: http://www.politico.com/...

The First Daughters may introduce the First Lady according to the very likely to change, preliminary schedule that ultimately will be finalized by the White House, outside advisers and the Democratic National Committee.

Big Dog Wednesday:

On Wednesday night, planners hope that President Bill Clinton will “use his own term to remind voters what was accomplished, and draw parallels to what President Obama is doing today.”

Read more: http://www.politico.com/...

Thursday, Nomination Day:

Thursday night, a speech by Vice President Joe Biden putting Obama’s name in nomination “will provide the ultimate contrast on the economy, making clear ‘we’re fighting for you.’ He will recognize the struggle middle class Americans have been facing, and warn that we should not go back to the policies that created the crisis.[...]

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Read more: http://www.politico.com/...

Thursday night will feature a video chronicling the President's historic first-term, followed by what no doubt will be a compelling closing argument made by President Barack Obama, on behalf of all the constituencies that have been under direct attack by the current GOP.

The emerging details of how the convention will look, clearly emphasize that the Democrats plan to show a prime time audience how different and forward-looking their party is compared to the backward-gazing, tea-flavored GOP.

For instance, throughout the program the Democrats will be highlighting "a nightly “social contrast” in which two people describe their personal experience with a hot-button issue – one lauding the president’s actions, the other taking Romney to task."

“...Examples: “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell: Gay soldier and fellow (straight) soldier who served together in Iraq or Afghanistan (ideally the straight soldier was helped by the gay soldier, i.e., medic, in fire fight) … Planned Parenthood: Husband who talks about how a PAP smear saved his wife’s life and his spouse … Immigration: Two young people from the same family, one who was born here, the other a few years older who was not … Choice: A couple who has children, but wants to make their own decisions, not have the government do it for them (or who has confronted a difficult medical situation).”

Read more: http://www.politico.com/...                           

I believe both party's conventions will be compelling television. The Democrats will be must-see-tv for their refreshing reflection of the way America actually looks and their vision of what we could become.

The Republicans will be a trainwreck and a freakshow of fringe dwellers mentioning their nominee as an afterthought as each speaker throws red meat to their base and position themselves for 2016.

Mitt's speech will be packed with garden variety putdowns of the President, lame, unfunny jokes, all delivered in his reliably stiff and uninspirational drone--and that's just the video introducing his actual speech.

I kid, I kid. No I don't. Mitt will suck. But I still want to see their freak show live but I want to see what the Democrats more.