Now that Barack Obama (D) has decided to open-up his convention acceptance speech to 75,000 people in a public event, the Republicans are, like clock-work, whining as they are known to do:
But lets look at the facts.
The Washington Times (12/26/2003):
A swinging convention
Organizers of the Republican National Convention, to be held in New York City next summer, are thinking about having President Bush make his nomination-acceptance speech at Yankee Stadium, the New York Post reports.
The convention will be held from Aug. 30 through Sept. 2 at Madison Square Garden, which holds up to 19,500 people. Yankee Stadium can seat 55,000.
There has also been speculation that Mr. Bush may deliver his address at Ellis Island, the Statue of Liberty, or elsewhere, reporter Kenneth Lovett writes.
However, there could be a problem: Mr. Bush's speech is planned for prime time on Sept. 2 - the same time as the Yankees are scheduled to play the Cleveland Indians at Yankee Stadium.
The New York Post (12/24/2003):
BUSH MAY 'PITCH' IN BRONX
ALBANY - Organizers of the Republican national convention have sent out an e-mail raising the possibility that President Bush will accept the nomination at Yankee Stadium.
Jeff Kent, the U.S. Senate press photographers-gallery director and a convention organizer, cited the option to media members in a follow-up e-mail to last week's convention preview for the media at Madison Square Garden, the site of the event next summer.
After asking for feedback to the Garden plans, Kent, whose office has been designated by convention organizers to handle some arrangements, told media members to "ponder how you would want to cover an acceptance speech at Yankee Stadium."
Republican leaders have said they are considering ways to highlight high-profile sites in the city and have previously refused to say whether Bush will accept the nomination at the Garden.
...Bush made a memorable appearance at the Stadium just weeks after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks when he threw out the first ball of Game 1 of the 2001 World Series.
Shameless hypocrites.
By the way, the reason why the GOP opted against moving Bush's speech was because of security concerns
http://www.politicalbase.com/profile/Mark%20Nickolas/blog/&blogId=2690