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Pastimes : Clown-Free Zone... sorry, no clowns allowed -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: marginmike who wrote (269031)	11/29/2003 11:29:24 AM
From: laura_bush	Read Replies (2) \| Respond to of 436258

That's good to hear, marginmike. I hope that many other Republicans like you recognize what's happening to 'the little guy' and feel that it's important enough to vote Bush out of office. lb

To: marginmike who wrote (269031)	12/1/2003 6:28:37 PM
From: laura_bush	Respond to of 436258

GOP takes on NYC...offshore accommodations, just in case: Man, that Tom DeLay has ALL BASES covered. -g- G.O.P. Option at Convention: Luxury Liner Mon Dec 1, 8:35 AM ET By MICHAEL SLACKMAN The New York Times It is being billed as the perfect place for celebrations during the Republican National Convention next summer, with shows, fine works of art, health clubs, bars, cafes, amazing views, luxury staterooms and restaurants serving cuisine from around the world. And it is just a short walk to Midtown. But before its visitors can cross a New York City street, they will have to pass over a gangplank. The Norwegian Dawn, a 2,240-passenger luxury cruise liner, has 15 decks, 14 bars and lounges and babbling brooks. But even docked at a pier on the Hudson River, it is not New York City. And, to many critics, that is the point. The House majority leader, Tom DeLay, would like the ship to serve as a floating entertainment center for Republican members of Congress, and their guests, when the convention comes to New York City next Aug. 30 to Sept. 2. "Our floating hotel will provide members an opportunity to stay in one place, in a secure fashion," said a spokesman for Mr. DeLay, Jonathan Grella. He did not elaborate. Perhaps Mr. Grella is reluctant to talk because Mr. DeLay's idea has infuriated a cross section of New Yorkers, much to the delight of Democrats and the embarrassment of some Republicans. New York would lose money if Mr. DeLay decides to charter the ship because it would draw visitors and dollars away from city hotels, restaurants and shops. As for the more ephemeral issue of perception, the proposal to remove visitors from the hubbub of city life has been broadly received as a slight a suggestion that the city's hotels and restaurants, not to mention its people, are not quite good enough for Republicans from out of state. Republicans are not necessarily happy, either. Many say the cruise ship could undermine one reason New York was chosen for the first time in the party's history as the site of its convention: to help advance the idea that Republicans are the new big-tent party, trying to embrace all voters. Instead, Republican strategists say, being docked on the Hudson River would send out the message that they are a bunch of elitists who will not mingle with city residents and just might be ducking New York's laws, including the one that prohibits smoking in public places (a cruise ship might be exempt, or at least unwelcome territory for a city health inspector). "In an era of nonstop news and visuals, do you want the visual of the convention to be a group of people sequestered on a cruise ship?" said one Republican strategist, who added that there is a lot of hand-wringing among Republicans in New York and Washington over the plan. Still, few Republicans are willing to publicly challenge Mr. DeLay, whose nickname in Congress is the Hammer. continues......... story.news.yahoo.com