Republican National Convention
Democrats prepare for rapid response

By David Jackson
The Dallas Morning News

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"Mission NOT Accomplished" is the mantra for Democrats operating from a "war room" five blocks from Madison Square Garden, where the GOP opens proceedings today.

"We will be monitoring every word that the Republicans utter during their time here and providing real-time rapid response," Democratic National Committee Chairman Terry McAuliffe said.

Via daily news conferences, TV and radio interviews and special events, Democrats in New York also will promote their White House candidate, John Kerry.

Of course, Republicans in New York City will have some things to say about Kerry, asserting he shifts positions on all sorts of issues, from education to Iraq.

In front of the high-rise building where the Democrats are ensconced, Republican pickets marched in dolphin suits, in honor of the '60s TV star Flipper.

"I represent Kerry's flipping and flopping," said one of the dolphins. "There are a bunch of Flippers; we can't keep track of all of Kerry's flips and flops."

Republicans won't be the only ones playing dress-up.

Tomorrow night, the Democratic Party hosts a costume party featuring characters such as Hal E. Burton and Enron Ed. They reflect the White House's love for corporations, said Democrats, who also plan to crown Miss Leader 2004.

Bush critics said their party counters the GOP's "masquerade ball." Convention speakers such as Arizona Sen. John McCain and former New York Mayor Rudolph Giuliani are much more moderate than Bush, Democrats note.

The daily Democratic briefings will feature party officeholders, including a local resident: New York Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton.
 
Rep. Ciro Rodriguez of Texas, chairman of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, is among the officeholders scheduled to speak out this week.

He and other Democrats plan to argue that Bush has failed to fulfill missions to create jobs, improve health care, stabilize Iraq or make sustainable progress in the war on terrorism.

Democratic officials stressed that they are staging their own events, such as a veterans gathering at Grant's Tomb and a "stroller rally" featuring mothers critical of Bush policies. These events are meant to contrast with avant-garde and potentially violent protests flooding the city this week.

McAuliffe said he understood the anger of some of the protesters, but he added, "They are here on their own."