New York Magazine
     
  The Convention Kicker: Dispatches from the convention center, the parties, and the protests. New York Magazine blogs the RNC.  
     
  George and the Jungle: The Republicans are leaving New Yorkers with unexpected emotion: envy.  

 
  Intelligencer: Why Ben Bradlee's birthday bash left Barbara Walters peeved.
 		 

     
  Meet the Press: How Hustler, High Times, US Weekly, and YM are covering the convention.
  

     
  Talking Points: The convention proved, in the memorable words of the Bush twins, just how “unhip” the Republicans are.  

     
  The Big Question: If Bush's presidency ended today, what would it be?  

 
  Protexting: How are activists monitoring civil disobedience by cell phone? A sampling of the reports.  

 
  Write Your Own Acceptance Speech in 8 Easy Steps: Former presidental speechwriters explain.
 		 

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The Lineup: Thursday
 
  7:45 p.m. to 11:15 p.m.          
    Mary Lou Retton, Kerri Strug, Lynn Swann, and Dorothy Hamill
The evening’s theme is “a safer world, a more hopeful America,” so the GOP trots out a roster of ... sports heroes? Olympic gold medalists Retton and Strug are touted as embodiments of “personal courage.” African-American NFL Hall of Famer Swann has been publicly urging blacks to take a fresh look at the GOP. And ice-skating queen Hamill is a popular Republican. 		     

   
    Donnie McClurkin
When GOP planners announced McClurkin would perform on the convention’s most important evening, a reporter dug up evidence that the gospel singer once suggested that gays were child-murderers. Given the patina of inclusivity that decorates this convention, you might have expected that when this news surfaced, he would have immediately been yanked from the program. Instead, he’ll serenade thousands of delegates on the night of George W. Bush’s coronation. 		     
   
    George Pataki
The pro-choice, pro-environment governor of New York delivers a speech that reveals why he was chosen to introduce Bush: He’s a dogged (and not overly inspiring) loyalist who could be counted on not to upstage the president. 		     

   
    George W. Bush
Striding forth onto a low circular stage surrounded by worshipful supporters, the star of the four-day extravaganza makes it clear that—a few obligatory policy nuggets notwithstanding—the president’s rationale for another four years boils down to this: I’m a badder badass than the other guy. 		     

   
 

LEGEND		 Pitbull
Designated Attack Dog		 Big Tent
Minority/Woman
           
Bible
Right-Wing Christian 		Siren
Terror Alert		 Swing Set
Appeals to Swing Voters/Independents
           
Red Meat
Appeals to GOP Base 		Royal Elephant
Cabinet Member/Party VIP		    
 
 
Published on September 2, 2004.