Obama Torpedoes Traditional Convention Truce

Forget decorum; the permanent slap-fight between Dems and Repubs is more fun

With two days on the road as a hurricane heads toward New Orleans, President Barack Obama is shredding the final remnants of a venerable tradition in presidential politics: Each party takes a break from campaigning during the other party's convention.

The notion of a convention "truce" took a hit four years ago, when both Obama and Republican John McCain opted for a few campaign jaunts during the other's party gathering.

But such a high-profile campaign swing — the first by a sitting president during his opponent's convention in recent history — marks a counter-programming offensive that ends what traditionalists consider a last vestige of civility in an age of nonstop partisan combat.

Comments

[Sevo]

..."ends what traditionalists consider a last vestige of civility in an age of nonstop partisan combat."

Good!
The opposition is supposed to oppose, for pete's sake. Oppose all the way to grid lock; the populace wins.

[Warren]

Civility my ass. In the era of three network TV all the campaign coverage went to the conventions. There was no point in campaigning wile the other team was having it's pep rally because nobody was listening.