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Party On, GOP

By TChris, Section Elections 2008
Posted on Mon Sep 01, 2008 at 04:26:34 PM EST
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Republicans sure know how to party.

As residents of New Orleans were fleeing Hurricane Gustav, top Republican party officials donned pink boas and swigged vodka shots at a wild whirl of corporate and lobbyist-paid parties this weekend in Minneapolis-St. Paul.

Really, you can't have a good party without pink boas and vodka shots. Attendees at the "corporate and lobbyist-paid parties" apparently didn't get the memo that Republicans are supposed to feign concern for those whose lives are being disrupted by Hurricane Gustav.

Here's the funniest line of the linked ABC story: [more ...]

Yet, last night lobbyists for the National Rifle Association, Lockheed Martin and the American Trucking Association put on a raucus six-hour party at a downtown bar featuring music by the band "Hookers and Blow." There was no evidence of any actual prostitutes or cocaine. [emphasis added]

How diligently do you suppose the reporters looked for the "evidence"? Interestingly, ABC reporters weren't allowed into the party at "a Minneapolis restaurant where waiters wore pink wigs and guests danced through the night as they wrapped themselves and their partners with pink boas."

More party news from ABC:

Along the Mississippi last night, corporate lobbyists for the chemical industry were entertaining Ohio Republicans on two large yachts. ... Saturday night, 22 big corporations sponsored a pig roast and "booze cruise" for California Congressmen and delegates on Lake Minnetonka, west of Minneapolis.

There appeared to be no plans to cancel any of the lavish corporate parties planned for Republicans, although some lobbyists said they would invite Red Cross representatives and raise money for its relief efforts.

Parties are a political tradition at the national conventions for both Democrats and Republicans (although pink boas may be unique to the GOP). In light of John McCain's efforts to scale down the festivities for fear of bad press in the wake of Gustav, some might question whether the parties should have been canceled. Not so for the GOP delegates who want to have their fun no matter what's happening on the Gulf Coast.

Many delegates at a party Saturday night for GOP convention CEO Maria Cino said they saw no reason to stop the good time because of events in New Orleans. "Everyone goes through hard times," said Wisconsin delegate Jeff Larson.

Jeff Larson: a model of GOP sensitivity.

Another Republican guest hid his face from cameras, wrapping a pink boa around his eyes and nose.

At least convention officials were forthright when speaking with ABC about the party atmosphere that so concerned John McCain:

Asked about the appropriateness of the gathering, Republican National Committeeman Tony Parker walked away from ABC News cameras, saying, "I don't want to talk with you."

That's tellin' 'em, Tony.

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    Party On, GOP | 40 comments (40 topical)

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    Why all the pink? (5.00 / 2) (#1)
    by Grace on Mon Sep 01, 2008 at 04:34:07 PM EST
    Is that the new elephant color?  Or are they honoring Paris Hilton?  

    The most important question:  Was Larry Craig there?  ;-)

    Differing opinion (5.00 / 3) (#2)
    by sleepingdogs on Mon Sep 01, 2008 at 04:43:48 PM EST
    Do you have any sense of the number of people here in the Twin Cities whose busineses are depending on income from the convention and surrounding activities?  The disaster of all convention activites being canceled here would be small compared to a hurricane but still siginificant to my hometown nonetheless.  Please use some compassion.  

    I really believe some of the Democratic delegation would have done the same.  In fact, I thought given the hurt within the part, the yea-rah-yipee tone of the DNC was entirely inappropriate.  

    Speaking for me only, of course.  You are entitled to yours but I thought you may appreciate a different perspective.

    Good reminder, thanks (none / 0) (#11)
    by gyrfalcon on Mon Sep 01, 2008 at 05:07:21 PM EST
    But it does seem to me the GOP folks could show just a leeetle bit more decorum in their partying.  I mean, really, pink boas?

    Parent
    I concur (5.00 / 1) (#14)
    by sleepingdogs on Mon Sep 01, 2008 at 05:12:41 PM EST
    ...and a band named "Hookers and Blow"....  ;-)

    Parent
    Of course (none / 0) (#38)
    by cal1942 on Mon Sep 01, 2008 at 07:52:41 PM EST
    we must realize that if it's the GOP then Jesus must have approved.

    Parent
    I get your point (none / 0) (#29)
    by jar137 on Mon Sep 01, 2008 at 06:05:04 PM EST
    but I would imagine they wouldn't be entitled to a refund if they cancelled at such a late date.  So, the republicans could have put their money where McCain's mouth was, but, in true fashion, opted not to.

    I don't have a problem with them having their parties, but it's the hypocrisy.  If they truly were concerned for the people in the gulf coast, and not the national exposure of their pres. and VP, that would be one thing.  But, to act as if they cannot hold a party when disaster might hit, but carry on in private, is not cool to me.

    Parent

    Contract business is one thing, (none / 0) (#34)
    by sleepingdogs on Mon Sep 01, 2008 at 06:36:44 PM EST
    but there are many areas businesses that are hoping for a lot of extra business with the additional traffic in the area, such as stores and restaurants.  There are also the individuals such as waitstaff and cabdrivers who lose hourly work and tips.  And on and on.  There is no contract to prevent these loses, no insurance to cover these loses, no public outpouring of concern and now the seeming derision of TChris' post.   I understand the point of his post but the hypocrisy was not my point, it was a request for acknowledgement that this is a loss to the people of the Twin Cities as well.    

    Parent
    What's wrong with delegates partying? (5.00 / 3) (#8)
    by nycstray on Mon Sep 01, 2008 at 04:58:16 PM EST
    I can see toning down the actual convention and not putting a huge celebration on national TV, but private parties and such? Should all the theme parks close, weddings be canceled etc? Really, I think maybe the MSM should get a clue and just not publicize it. What if this had happened a week ago? Or Friday morning even. Would the stadium event have been canceled?
    Or if (none / 0) (#39)
    by cal1942 on Mon Sep 01, 2008 at 07:54:33 PM EST
    it happened Thursday the 25th.

    Parent
    Too bad the Vikes traded Fred Smoot (5.00 / 2) (#9)
    by scribe on Mon Sep 01, 2008 at 05:01:51 PM EST
    to the Redskins - he could have shown the Goopers how they have fun in Minnesota.

    Then again, being in DC, maybe he got to the delegates before they left for the land 'o 10k lakes.

    I just want to know if the shots were green (5.00 / 1) (#10)
    by WillBFair on Mon Sep 01, 2008 at 05:04:25 PM EST
    jello. If so, the sleazy pachyderm have stolen another queer party favor, without saying thanks of course. They shall be reprimanded post haste. As for the pink boas, I shouldn't guess. But it may have something to do with a post natal mommy fixation.

    Ahem. (5.00 / 1) (#13)
    by Grace on Mon Sep 01, 2008 at 05:10:55 PM EST
    There was no mention of either spandex or leather in that article.  ;-)

    Parent
    This is silly (5.00 / 3) (#15)
    by ColumbiaDuck on Mon Sep 01, 2008 at 05:21:59 PM EST
    The hurricane is certainly front and center in our minds and the news today.  But we don't need a natural disaster to have suffering in America.

    I could easily ask how the Democrats have opulent parties when there are thousands of homeless on the streets.  Or millions without health care.  Or refugees in the Sudan.

    Besides, when did Democrats become the party against parties?  Downer.

    Exactly. Thank you! (5.00 / 2) (#24)
    by JimWash08 on Mon Sep 01, 2008 at 05:53:16 PM EST
    And to think that the DNC and Obama campaign spent $6 million alone on the venue and staging for a 50-minute speech. What could that $6 million been better used for?

    And while the RNC were scaling back their own, well-deserved party (which the Democrats already had, and thankfully went off without a hitch) and the McCain campaign was trying to organize a collection effort for victims and relief, Obama was campaigning in Michigan and left-blogs were slamming Sarah Palin and her daughter.

    Thank god I don't have a horse in this race anymore, so I feel absolutely comfortable commenting on both candidates and their parties ... both have been equally despicable, and this election overall has been such a travesty.

    Parent

    Apparently some readers (4.33 / 3) (#17)
    by TChris on Mon Sep 01, 2008 at 05:33:13 PM EST
    don't appreciate the tongue-in-cheek nature of this post, which expressly acknowledges that parties are a convention tradition for Democrats and Republicans.  I am not anti-partying.  I was trying to emphasize the amusing aspects of the linked article:  pink boas and wigs, Hookers and Blow, booze cruise, "I don't want to talk to you."  If you expect every post on TL to be completely serious, then you should skip some of my posts.  That's not who I am.

    Parent
    What? (5.00 / 1) (#20)
    by ColumbiaDuck on Mon Sep 01, 2008 at 05:39:53 PM EST
    If it was making fun of their parties, then why include any mention of the hurricane or this line:

    "In light of John McCain's efforts to scale down the festivities for fear of bad press in the wake of Gustav, some might question whether the parties should have been canceled."

    "Some might question"?  That's pretty slippery wording.

    Parent

    It was (5.00 / 1) (#22)
    by TChris on Mon Sep 01, 2008 at 05:43:13 PM EST
    a set up to "Everyone goes through hard times" which is a ridiculous way to refer to the devastation that a hurricane can cause.

    Parent
    Eh (none / 0) (#33)
    by ColumbiaDuck on Mon Sep 01, 2008 at 06:26:19 PM EST
    It would seem that hurricane references peppered the post, but it's not worth going over line-by-line.

    I'm just exhausted by this type of stuff - we all know Republicans get freaky behind closed door and pious in the pews.  I'm over it.

    Parent

    {sigh} (none / 0) (#21)
    by nycstray on Mon Sep 01, 2008 at 05:41:51 PM EST
    I think my sense of humor took the day off, lol!~

    I'm still trying to figure out the pink boas . . .  

    Parent

    Well, I thought you were very funny (none / 0) (#25)
    by gyrfalcon on Mon Sep 01, 2008 at 06:00:06 PM EST
    I laughed out loud three or four times reading it.  Your humor is the kind I like, very dry and an unexpected zinger throw in here and there.

    Rock on, TChris.  I don't may not agree with your posts on politics, but I sure as heck love your humor.

    Parent

    I know that we cancelled our picnic and (5.00 / 3) (#16)
    by katiebird on Mon Sep 01, 2008 at 05:24:34 PM EST
    have spent the entire day at church praying.

    I think that if the Delegates aren't conducting convention business, they should do the same.

    (snort)

    What... (5.00 / 1) (#18)
    by prose on Mon Sep 01, 2008 at 05:36:09 PM EST
    concerns me are the hosts - a pink-boa lockhead martin party is horrifying to me.  That kind of calloused irony is the stuff of Vonnegut novels and, apparently, GOP conventions.

    Party time (5.00 / 3) (#27)
    by lentinel on Mon Sep 01, 2008 at 06:02:48 PM EST
    Let's not forget that the democrats and their invited guests had one great time rockin' to rock music, swilling beverages other than Pepsi and wearing the required funny hats - all while American soldiers and Iraqi civilians are being killed on a daily basis in a senseless war.

    Is this any better than reveling during Gustav?

    Please.

    Whatever their policies ... (5.00 / 1) (#31)
    by Robot Porter on Mon Sep 01, 2008 at 06:09:07 PM EST
    Republicans party harder than Democrats.

    Family values are out the window, when the lights goes down, and the balloons start flying.

    bummer (4.57 / 7) (#4)
    by sarahfdavis on Mon Sep 01, 2008 at 04:47:09 PM EST
    This site is devolving into silliness.

    No kidding (5.00 / 1) (#12)
    by myiq2xu on Mon Sep 01, 2008 at 05:07:48 PM EST
    Is the entire nation supposed to be in mourning or something?

    Parent
    Tasteless And Poor Coverage (4.25 / 4) (#19)
    by JimWash08 on Mon Sep 01, 2008 at 05:36:11 PM EST
    I just have to say that the behavior of the media and blogosphere since Friday is appalling.

    It has amounted to a massive witch-hunt on Sarah Palin's personal life, and kicking the enemy (the GOP, hypothetically speaking) when he is down (having to scale back their convention in light of a national catastrophe).

    Of course, these same two mediums have been, and will continue to be the reason for the obscene treatment of Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama and John McCain.

    When discussions could have been focused on the issues and the differences between the candidates and the parties, here we are reading stories and blog posts about people who were at private parties, which have been planned months ago and possibly cost a lot of money, during a national event that is of no fault of anyone.

    Really sad. When this election is over, and all is said and done, the history books will show that 2008 will be one of the ugliest years in how the American people and the media have conducted themselves.

    This is not true... (5.00 / 1) (#23)
    by prose on Mon Sep 01, 2008 at 05:48:01 PM EST
    Before the Dem convention the coverage of Obama was SO negative.  He was vetted from every direction.  Now the media is asking questions about Palin (just like McCain knew they would) and that is how it should be.  I would be horrified if the media wasn't turning over every rock given how new Palin is.  She is running for Vice-President and a lot of it has to do with who she is (rather than what she's done).  To not ask questions about her, or point out the lunacy of McCain picking her after his repeated attacks on Obama's experience would be a sham.  

    As to these parties, again, McCain brought this on.  The convention "tweaking" is politically expedient for McCain.  It may well be sincere, but it is still political, and all of the facets of it are therefore fair game.

    Parent

    Damned If They Do, Damned If They Don't (5.00 / 1) (#26)
    by JimWash08 on Mon Sep 01, 2008 at 06:01:06 PM EST
    As to these parties, again, McCain brought this on.  The convention "tweaking" is politically expedient for McCain.  It may well be sincere, but it is still political, and all of the facets of it are therefore fair game.

    I am in no way suggesting that McCain is a saint. No politician is saint. Both Hillary and Obama have done politically expedient things too, and if they react to something or they don't, there'll always be something to harp about.

    Obama should count his lucky stars that nothing happened during his convention, but lets not lose sight of the fact that whether McCain did the expedient thing, he did THE RIGHT THING.

    Finding fault and negativity is how the media and blogosphere operate -- I used to work in the industry and I know how it all works -- "If it bleeds, it leads."

    Parent

    McCain only partially did the right thing... (none / 0) (#32)
    by prose on Mon Sep 01, 2008 at 06:09:34 PM EST
    Going to the coast was unnecessary and political.  Just like when he went to Iowa, it draws resources and attention away from real issues for the sake of political point-winning.

    And, given the choice the GOP made, that became the story.  Just like everything got evaluated against the Clinton/Obama rift at the DNC, at the RNC, everything is about the storm and about Palin.  That's just reality.  The GOP has had it easy so far in the general.  

    Parent

    I don't mind turning over rocks (none / 0) (#28)
    by gyrfalcon on Mon Sep 01, 2008 at 06:03:01 PM EST
    what I do mind is looking at the top of the rock, deciding what's under it and walking away satisfied without ever having actually turned it over.

    Parent
    Where has that happened? (none / 0) (#30)
    by prose on Mon Sep 01, 2008 at 06:07:10 PM EST


    Parent
    TChris...Please go to HBO and find (none / 0) (#5)
    by PssttCmere08 on Mon Sep 01, 2008 at 04:50:45 PM EST
    Real Time With Bill Maher and watch Matt Taibbi's segment on the behind the scene parties for the dems...it will be enlightening.

    Dems Do It Too (none / 0) (#6)
    by bmc on Mon Sep 01, 2008 at 04:53:38 PM EST
    http://rawstory.com//printstory.php?story=11463

    TChris, isn't it the "dem" party (none / 0) (#35)
    by zfran on Mon Sep 01, 2008 at 07:12:08 PM EST
    that is speaking of "changing the tone" or is it just changing it in Washington. The tone of your above post is insulting to the theme of change. It is your post, of course, and you can take whatever tone you wish, however, go after the other party on its policies, like their connections with big oil or something like that. I haven't heard any questions like, how much did the Obama campaign spend on their convention, especially the preparations for his big speech, and who paid for it. Us? I didn't hear that same tone coming from you then. Geez, what has happened in the last 2 months is frightening. See all 3 versions of Invasion of the Body Snatchers!!!

    Well Yes... (none / 0) (#36)
    by WakeLtd on Mon Sep 01, 2008 at 07:27:27 PM EST
    I am sure that no one here has imbibed any alcoholic beverages today or attended any Labor Day festivities in deference to Hurricane Gustav. The wine I am drinking here is just for medicinal purposes. Those filthy Republicans with their pink boas and their hard-liquor. They sicken me. You know because everything must stop. Doncha know there's a hurricane on?

    Um (none / 0) (#37)
    by TChris on Mon Sep 01, 2008 at 07:36:17 PM EST
    John McCain:

    "it wouldn't be appropriate to have a festive occasion while a near tragedy or a terrible challenge is presented in the form of a natural disaster."

    McCain said it, I didn't.  In any event, see comment 17 above.

    Parent

    T Chris, is this an issue ? (none / 0) (#40)
    by Tim V on Mon Sep 01, 2008 at 09:04:24 PM EST
    people party at conventions. this is a silly post and not deserving as a topic to discuss.( was my comment a personal attack or constructive critism ? if it gets deleted then it must have been a personal attack )

    Yes... (none / 0) (#41)
    by Thanin on Mon Sep 01, 2008 at 11:07:17 PM EST
    but LA isnt holding up any LA conventions to pretend to care about the hurricane victims.

    Pink Boas (none / 0) (#42)
    by armleg on Tue Sep 02, 2008 at 09:21:36 AM EST
    Just a thought, but I think the pink boas could be a reference to Jesse Ventura...  famous for his boas and Zubas and for better or worse, a Minnesoata icon.

    Party On, GOP | 40 comments (40 topical)

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