Trump promises ‘showbiz’ at convention, but stars on stage will be relatively dim

[Liberal_in_LA]

CLEVELAND — When Democrats gather for their national convention in Philadelphia, the list of speakers praising Hillary Clinton’s presidential candidacy is expected to feature the president, the vice president, the first lady, a former president and a galaxy of well-known political luminaries.

But when the Republican convention opens next week in Cleveland, presumptive nominee Donald Trump will showcase an assortment of family members, defeated primary opponents and politicians whose names barely register with the general public. Many of the GOP’s past, current and future leaders are staying away from the spotlights at the Quicken Loans Arena.

The star-power disparity between the conventions speaks volumes about the state of the two parties — one is united and marching together toward what it hopes will be its fifth win of the past seven presidential elections, while the other remains divided and still not fully accepting its new standard bearer.

“Republicans have always had a terrible star-power deficit — the Democrats have the latest hip-hop or pop act and we’ve got Lee Greenwood and the Oak Ridge Boys — but now it’s going to be even more pronounced,” said Rick Wilson, a Republican strategist who is not supporting Trump.

Looking ahead to Philadelphia, Wilson said of the Democrats, “Bill Clinton, Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama, Michelle Obama, Elizabeth Warren — they’re all going to be out there swinging for the fences. But the Republicans, it’ll be like a hostage video of people forced on stage.”

https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/trump-promises-showbiz-at-convention-but-stars-on-stage-will-be-relatively-dim/2016/07/13/2e28d14e-4453-11e6-bc99-7d269f8719b1_story.html

[mercuryblues]

1. Some republicans do have a sense of humor

But the Republicans, it’ll be like a hostage video of people forced on stage.”

[jaysunb]

3. +1 LOL n/t

[StraightRazor]

2. I truly wonder if he realizes that all of this is making him look so incredibly foolish...

I've always felt that he only got into the race to shine up his 'brand' since he's been out of the spotlight for a while and to cash in when he's accomplished what he set out to do. But the reality that he's created is so crass and gross to so many people that I can't help but think he really is completely out of touch with reality - he doesn't seem to have any idea how he actually appears to most people. He was much better off before all of this.

[msongs]

4. pat boone, ted nugent, anyone else available? nt

[Raster]

6. Clint and his chair will be good for filler.

[m-lekktor]

7. That ex SNL nutjob Victoria Jackson, don't forget her. nt

[tenderfoot]

8. Lots of ex-sports stars

eom

[tblue37]

11. But even Tom Brady won't come to the convention. Maybe Bobby Knight can

throw a chair after Clint Eastwood chats it up. Oh, wait--apparently ol' CLint won't be there either.

[tblue37]

10. I assumed Nugent would surely show up, but apparently he isn't going to be there. nt

[Saphire]

13. Don't forget the cast of duck dynasty. Always a crowd pleaser

[UTUSN]

5. In the past decade, it's been Repuke leaders (old white men) hiding while putting minority entertain

entertainers on the stage and the audience being old white. Remember Chris ROCK as "reporter" for Comedy Central, "Once again I am the *ONLY* Black in the place."

[Gothmog]

9. No one wants to be associated with Trump

[Frank Cannon]

12. The Oak Ridge Boys are Republicans?

Fuck those guys! I used to like their music.

[OldHippieChick]

14. Latest news is that Tim Tebow will

be one of the speakers! How exciting eh? Now, we will have many more opportunities to talk about that $12000 helmet or whatever it was that Dim Don spent from charity. Holy moly, how desperate can you get?