May 02, 2007
Preparing For The Reagan Library Debate -- Arnold Will Make An Appearance
Thursday night's Republican debate at the Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley will lack the accoutrements and festive atmosphere of the Democrats' contest in Orangeburg.
The differences are many.
Security in California will be handled by The Service, as in the United States Secret Service, which protects the library. In South Carolina, the state police secured the theatre and the journalists' spin rooms.
In South Carolina, there were plenty of "demonstrations," in campaign parlance. Campaigns bussed in supporters and staged "impromptu" rallies. Thousands attended a debate-watching party on campus. In California, only the mountain lions and rattle snakes are expected to watch. (If you've ever been to the Reagan library, you've seen the "Watch For RattleSnakes signs.) There will be no supporters, and protesters, if there are any, will be contained far away from the debate site.
The South Carolina debate was held on a college campus in the middle of somewhere -- Orangeburg is home to a South Carolina State University. The Reagan Library is in the middle of nowhere. And nowhere is closest to Simi Valley, one of the whitest cities in California.
Simi Valley was home to the 1992 trial the LAPD officers accused of beating Rodney King; riots followed their acquittal. In 1968, police killed three civil rights protesters in Orangeburg -- the "Orangeburg Massacre."
In South Carolina, NBC's Brian Williams dominated the show, only occasionally yielding the microphone to another journalist. In California, host Chris Matthews will compete for time with the Politico's John Harris and Jim VandeHei.
In South Carolina, Rep. James Clyburn was the guest of honor. In California, Nancy Reagan will make an appearance... along with CA Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger. [MARC AMBINDER]
Posted at 01:16 PM
Comments
Although I am not surprised, I am extremely appaled with the platform of this debate. The front runners are asked significant questions which are pertinent to the campaign while candidates Paul and Huckabee are asked divisive questions which only serve to alienate them from the mainstream. I watch as the arrogant front runners sport disrespectful cheshire cat grins when their opponents answer with great dignity the questions they were asked. This is an abomination of American politic and I am sick of the mainstream arrogance which has led our country into near bankruptsy and moral decay.
Steve Turner | 01.31.08 01:07 AM
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