Political Fireworks Possible in 2004 [Liberal Fantasy: Terrorists Disrupt GOP Convention: BARF]

WASHINGTON — The presidential election of 2000 was one of the low points of modern U.S. politics. But the upcoming 2004 nomination contests have the potential to be exciting. Either or both conventions could be electrifying affairs.

Democrats may have the first multi-ballot convention since 1952, which could be a disaster or an unexpected opportunity. Republicans, who set their convention in New York City so President Bush could return to the scene of his apparent post-9/11 political triumph, might find Manhattan circa 2004 a much less friendly international stage. There may be more FBI agents and uniformed military people in town than visiting politicians.

When Democratic delegates head to Boston for their late July convention, they might not have an obvious nominee. This possibility flies in the face of the party's record of the last three decades. Each time, the leading contender who won the bulk of the primaries won the nomination — on the first ballot.

An encouraging Democratic scenario could include Dean wrapping up the nomination in May or June, gaining battle experience and the momentum of a winner without the GOP having been able to negatively define him with megabuck advertising. Instead, a Democratic drumbeat and Bush indictment could flourish.

Bush will have $170M by May. Does this asshat really think Bush won't spend it. Rove will have Dean defined the way he wants by April Fool's Day. There will not be a splintered convention. That's the hope of Dems because they know that Dean views Clinton and his cronies as highly as he does Bush. Dean's organization is easily 10 times better than any of the others running for the Dem nomination. These stupid analysts haven't figured out how strong that makes him next spring.

Brooklyn, less than a mile from Manhattan, has the biggest concentrations of Muslims in the city. Many of its Islamic neighborhoods became familiar to FBI agents after 9/11. Given the general animosity worldwide toward Bush's policies, it seems quite possible that the authorities, looking to head off acts of terrorism, could antagonize a huge swath of Islamic New York.

One can easily imagine that the FBI and the military will feel they must take extraordinary precautions for the GOP convention. New York City has 130 mosques and dozens of Arab neighborhoods in Brooklyn and Lower Manhattan. The Imam Al-Khoei Islamic Center in Queens houses North America's largest Shiite Muslim congregation. In the face of the inevitable crackdown, it's quite conceivable the GOP convention could serve as a magnet for terrorists itching to prove the U.S. president's ineffectiveness.

Yeah, that's a winning strategy for the Dems-- give Bush a chance to give that September 20th speech again. Bush basicly has said that we'd rather fight on the streets of Baghdad than the streets of Brooklyn. It'll make him look like a prophet. "Bush said that they'd come after us and the Dems said that was hogwash. Well, here they are on mainstreet USA trying to kill the president. Martha, they should just level all of the Middle East."

First, it appears that the writer believes that Arabs are capable of terrorism at the GOP convention. I also agree that it is possible, but I would be called a racist. He actually seems to be hoping for an attack.

Second, I was at one point expecting a floor fight at the Dem convention but no more. With the implosion of Kerry and Clark, it is now a 2 man race between Gephardt and Dean. If Dean wins Iowa, Gephardt will drop out before the end of February.

The author gives each candidate a varying percentage of the dem delegates. The delegates are apportioned to each candidate who wins at least 15% of a state's vote. Sharpton might do that in S.C., but where is Lieberman or Edwards going to win 15% or more of the vote and earn 7 and 8 percent of the delegates. He has Clark and Kerrry with a combined 28% of all delegates. I see Kerry melting down when he loses New Hampshire, ditto for Clark.

It is at this point Dean's race to lose. The media and his opponents are starting to get nasty with him. I think his supporters will dig in their heels and fight for their guy with all their might. If S.C. goes to a caucus, instead of primary, Dean wins. Dean will come in 1st or 2nd in Iowa and 1st in New Hampshire. He's expected to do nothing in S.Carolina. so if he comes in third or better, there will be stopping him from becoming the sacrificial lamb in November.

"Democrats may have the first multi-ballot convention since 1952, which could be a disaster or an unexpected opportunity."

Please remember my prediction that the convention will be rigged to 'deadlock' upon which Hillary will be 'drafted' and will 'reluctantly accept' the nomination.

We shall see.

--Boris

Betty Jane, your last paragraph is the real biscuit.
.."it's Dean's to lose...." and that means bye bye Hillary, Bill , el al and the devil. That ain't
gonna happen . Thunder Butt is coming and her fire is
not like ever seen before. I,m deadly serious.

Look at it this way, the power, media, and purse strings
fall to Dean or Bill/Hill. Lastly, listen to what you
don't hear, the media. They want Dean but are too afraid
of Bill/Hill to wholehog say so or at all.

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