The tired rut that is the GOP in 2008 has announced its slate of speakers for its convention in Minneapolis. (<link>) Opening night will feature the stellar and riveting line-up of Sen. Joe Lieberman, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, Vice President Dick Cheney (no, really), First Lady Laura Bush, and President George W. Bush. Laura Bush appears poised to steal the show.

But it’s the keynote the following night that’s most dumbfounding. It’ll be delivered by none other than America’s (self-appointed) mayor himself, Rudy Giuliani. Some of you may recall that at one point he was a candidate for the GOP presidential nomination. In that bloated campaign, after months of proclaiming himself the front-runner well before any votes were cast, he not only failed to win a primary, but actually failed to earn a single delegate. After his very satisfying early withdrawal, I posted (<link>) that his fruitless campaign marked a merciful end to the exploitation of 9/11 as a central strategy in presidential politics. But it appears not. Sen. McCain and the GOP brain trust apparently have decided to go back to that well. After all, everyone knows that Rudy G. is incapable of talking about anything else. And Rudy-One-Note can only speak about 9/11 in such as way as to use it as a bludgeon to self-righteously pummel his political opponents and to try to stoke fear for political gain. Despite the utter failure of that approach in Giuliani’s campaign, McCain and the GOP seem to think that a dose of divisiveness and fear-mongering is just the tone they need to set for their keynote address. Do they really think this is the best they could come up with?

Followed by Laura Bush. That is interesting about Senator Joe Lieberman. Wonder what is stopping him from just switching parties? (Probably the outrage that the Democratic voters of Connecticut would express, my guess) Good post, thanks. And btw, I am NOT the "REAL" Speaker Nancy. :-)

for best hair. Laura B. and Ah-nold will duke it out for second, but I have to favor the long Samson locks of Joe Lieberman (<link>). As usual, Dick Cheney will bring up the rear.

Of course, Joe L. also is the runaway winner for best jowls.

Laura: Jinkies, a clue!

George: Zoinks!

Ahnold: Ok, gang, here's the plan.

Joe: Rut-roh.

Very funny, thanks. We know one thing for sure:

Dickhead Cheney is certainly NOT going to be voted:

Miss Congeniality.

(I almost feel sorry for the R's, having to follow all the well-publicized, High Drama of the Dem. Convention. snicker.)

Signed,

"NOT" the Real Speaker Nancy, of course.