The Republican Convention

For John, BLUF:  This year all of the old verities must be questioned.  Nothing to see here; just move along.

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The GOP had a trainwreck in Cleveland.  Is that a good thing?

The author is Mr Ed Morrissey, and the date is 22 July.

Traditionally speaking, the Republican national convention would look like a near-total debacle. In the era of television, major-party conventions have become tightly choreographed displays of party unity, bland speeches hailing the nominee, and almost entirely forgotten by everyone except the delegates after the usual polling bump recedes. By that measure, the GOP’s four-day event in Cleveland was a debacle: floor fights, a vanquished primary candidate telling the world from a prime-time main stage speaking slot that he didn’t support the nominee, and a plagiarism scandal that went on at least a day longer than necessary thanks to attempts to rationalize it away.

By any traditional measure, it was a trainwreck, and a wide opening to Democrats to offer a contrast with a traditionally predictable convention in response. Eugene Robinson made that case today in his Washington Post column:

Turns out Captain Ed thinks it might be.

Hat tip to the Hot Air.

Regards  —  Cliff