G.O.P.'s Ship May Come Into NY

Our friend Tien wanted to know our take on the possibility of the G.O.P. being housed on a cruise ship during next year's Republican convention. House Majority leader Tom DeLay has been pushing to have the Norwegian Dawn act as a Republican satellite city, nestled on the Hudson.

This, of course, takes away from the possible revenue of hotel rooms, meals, and entertainment in our fine city; Mayor Bloomberg told the Times, "We have plenty of hotel rooms, it's a safe city, it's the safest place you can be almost with a lot of people around you, is right here in the streets of New York City, and why you'd want to be away from that, I don't know." But let's face it, this is like the cheap relative whose suitcase is filled with canned soup to avoid eating in restaurants, even though DeLay thinks the cruise will be "classy and upscale" for GOP-ers (Tien, for the record, thinks that it's an insult to NYC streetwalkers).

Honestly, we're of two minds: We want some revenue for the city, of course, and reap the benefits of NYC hosting the convention, but it might be easier to sleep at night knowing the G.O.P. is contained; plus, if they we'll be waiting for the tabloid headlines (like "Ship of Fools") predicted by a Republican strategist and Norwalk virus references, and plus we'll rent kayaks from the pier, try to get close to photograph the ship's passengers until the police chase us down.

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By Jen Chung in News on December 1, 2003 12:33 PM

Comments [rss]

Howard

Let them cavort in the harbor. All you'll need to do is cut the bow and stern lines and hundreds of Republicans will float out to sea. Think of all the legislation the Dems can pass while the Coast Guard is looking for that ship of fools.

salt

conservatives want howard dean to be the democratic nominee for the same reason i and fellow liberals (new york liberals especially) want the SS Delay to set sail off the coast of new york city.

marv

It's quite obvious that there are two big reasons why the Republicans would do this:

1. It keeps the smoking ban at bay.

2. It keeps the protesters at bay.

marv

It's quite obvious that there are two big reasons why the Republicans would do this:

1. It keeps the smoking ban at bay.

2. It keeps the protesters at bay.

eebmore

I would never condone sinking the ship. But it would be amusing to sneak it over to Newark in the dark of night.

Seriously, I agree with Alex. The security issues will make this never happen.

And Jake, I thought Viacom and Disney moved all the trannys out of Times Square? Where did they move them to? I'll be visiting your fine town in a few weeks and need to know where to get my tranny lovin. Sweet Trannys, I love them so.

William

As a Republican (Yes, I listen to Rush and read Gothamist -- Imagaine that!!) I think this one of the stupidest things I've ever heard, also!!

Frankenstein

Oh yeah, I fergot.

I musta been distracted. Or something.

Jen

The Penthouse Executive Club has "eatin's" also - at Robert's Steakhouse!

Frankenstein

Well, they would be at least convienently close by both Daisy May's (for eatins') and the Penthouse Executive Club (for, uh, 'entertainment').

Alex

If they have anyone with half a brain running security, this won't be happening. Terrorists would sink that thing so fast...shit, most sensible Americans would sink it themselves!

harDCore

Oh man, this shit is funny on so many different levels. Somebody could sink this barge and we'd all be saved. Or better yet, get the captain all liquored up and have him take all these white folks on a 3 hour tour, crash the ship, and make a reality show out of it "Survivor: DUMBASS."

ps. politics suck

jenny

I thought the whole point of having the convention here would be to show support for the city? If you're going to take advantage of 3000 dead people for your own political gains, the least you can do is spend some money in the city to make yourselves appear like you sort of care.

eebmore

hmm, I think from a republican standpoint this is actually a very smart from DeLay. The GOP has been very successful marketing the northeast edamucated sophicated peoples being the great evil "liberals" destroying the country.

Mr. Republican voter in Wyoming may not want to see his representatives whooping it up new york evil liberal style, and happy to see his boys havin a great time on the cruise ship he and the mrs. enjoyed so much last year.

Of course, I think they're all assholes, so I'm biased.

Aaron

Having dealt with the RNC during the last election cycle, I can confirm that they are indeed stupid enough to bring in a ship.

jake

holy bajesus! the republicans really can't be this stupid. i mean, you have your convention in new york, and instead of letting people enjoy the city, you lock them on a crappy cruise ship swimming with disease? i mean, that's like going to hawaii and spending the entire time in the hotel room- or like going to times square and not having sex with a trannie prostitute. come on, people, let's get real here!