Posted on 08/30/2012 10:37:57 PM PDT by 2ndDivisionVet
TAMPA, Fla. – Several prominent Democrats, led by Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley, made unexpected appearances in Tampa this week, prompting Republican National Committee Chairman Reince Priebus to respond that Republicans aren’t fazed.
“They can do what they want, but whatever they do we can do 10 times over,” Priebus said Thursday. “What goes around comes around.”
Led by two Maryland politicians — O’Malley and U.S. Rep. Chris Van Hollen, D-Montgomery — a contingent of Democrats have slammed Mitt Romney and Paul Ryan in Tampa. Florida Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, the chair of the Democratic National Committee, also made an appearance at the convention Thursday.
Vice President Joe Biden was scheduled to be here earlier in the week, but cancelled because of Hurricane Isaac.
Todd Eberly, a political scientist at St. Mary’s College, said the 24-hour news cycle and the current, closely contested presidential race have contributed to the decision to show up at the normally off-limits conventions.
Parties can’t cede time or message
“The parties have decided they can’t cede any time to one another,” he said. “It’s going to continue to escalate as time goes by. I wouldn’t be surprised to see the conventions happening over the same four days, so that they can instantly refute any claims the other party makes.”
Eberly pointed to one example from the last election cycle.
“Barack Obama accepting the Democratic presidential nomination was a huge speech and was going to provide a big boost,” he said. “The day after, John McCain announced his running mate and stepped all over any bump or poll increase Obama got.”
Maryland Republican delegates quickly put together a press conference Tuesday to criticize O’Malley’s appearance the same day, but were surprised to hear of Van Hollen’s Wednesday trip to Tampa.
Harford County Executive David Craig (By Aberdeen Proving Ground)
No more convention courtesy
Harford County Executive David Craig said the Democrats’ appearance around Tampa would mean a Republican surrogate in Charlotte for the Democratic National Convention next week.
“I find it interesting, because there’s supposedly been a protocol or a courtesy in the past, that when one party had their convention, the other party just sort of took the week off,” he said. “But they’re not doing that, so if we did that next week, which we may do, they’re going to get angry with us and say, ‘wait a minute, you shouldn’t be doing that.’
“But they’re the ones that are starting it. If that’s the way they’re going to be, it’s going to be that way from now on.”
University of Richmond political scientist Daniel Palazzolo said more of a presence by the opposing party at future conventions could become the new norm.
“They are not going to handle it in the traditional, hands off style,” he said. “In this polarized, partisan political environment, with such a narrow margin involved, I’m not surprised.”
Liberals are classless pigs.
This has been going on for years. They show up at each other’s propaganda shows because they are booked by the media, who in fact own the place.
Twelve years ago at the RNC in Philadelphia I saw them all parade through, from James Carville to Al Sharpton.
They’re all functionaries of the one-party socialist state anyway, so it isn’t like it really matters.
Call me when Preston Brooks shows up with a cane.
/johnny
This is nothing new, Democrats have been doing this for decades.
At least we didn’t have any men fainting during Romney’s speech. We’ll see how the ‘RAT girlymen do with Barry next week. I imagine they’ll be dropping like flies.
It's a clown move, bro.
OMG! This is MOST juvenile. Like thugs going to the school yard of their opposition ready to rumble. God help us.
Good luck finding Republicans who are as sleazy as Democrats. Maybe some of the Paulians could do the job, but they are more interested in attacking Republicans and conservatives. The other problem we have is that the media is working with the Democrats, and they will work against us. Solve these little problems, and go for it.
Karl Rove and his disciples could easily do it, but they’re way above that and have bigger fish to fry. They’re running the SuperPACS that are going to roast Mr. Obama like a goat at a fiesta.
I didn't know that. I find it embarrassing for them while I'm sure they think it's a good idea. Shows the difference in mindsets between R & D.
I can see 15 rounds in the ring before this one is over...
You could do it like those WWE shows. Basically Wrestler A is giving a longwinded speech insulting Wrestler B. Suddenly Wrestler B’s music starts and he enters the room. Love to see Biden/Reid/etc. going on and on and all of a sudden Allen West/Paul Ryan/etc entrance music starts.
Don’t they have to show an ID to get into these things? The Democrat convention would be a terrible experience for me; so I hope no one crashes it; although they (Democrats)may stage something for drama’s sake. Not gonna watch it on t.v. Too much like punishment.
So did Gov. O’MALady spend his own money or waste Marylanders taxpayer funds on unofficial state business by invading the RNC in Florida?
Someone ought to look into how that trip was paid for. He’s a snarky twit regardless that creep of a Gov.
That’s what I’d like to know - do they just approve it as official juvenile business.
But they’re the ones that are starting it.
Oh brother. My four year old says things like that. I can’t believe Republicans are saying such immature things. What a bunch of weaklings. If you want to attend the DNC than do it, but don’t say “they started it”....that is the oldest child remark in history. Republicans are better than that.
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