Republican National Convention
Fans, foes come out for a glance at President Bush

By David Postman
Seattle Times chief political reporter

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I've seen a lot of cops this week. But there were more than ever, and standing almost at attention as opposed to that practiced, apparently NYPD academy-approved, cop slouch they master.

Chanting could be heard, like an army drill sergeant call and response. As I could see the first of the "New Black Panthers" marching down the sidewalk the chant was clear. "George Bush," the leader would shout. The troops respond: "No-good bastard."

Dressed all in black, with black berets, they marched quickly under near-constant orders to "stay tight. Don't let anyone break our ranks." Few dared.

The dozen or so Black Panthers were marching away from Madison Square Garden. The sidewalks got more crowded closer to the convention site. At the corner of 34th and 7th — and apparently at every corner surrounding the Garden — pedestrian traffic was stopped.

Knots of up to 100 people backed up. NYPD wouldn't say why, for the first time this week, foot traffic was held up yesterday.

They must have learned it in training because it wasn't the first time this week I heard, "We don't have to give you a reason."

Mostly people stood quietly and speculated to one another what might be happening. A not-so-young man shouldered his way through the crowd with a boom box on his shoulder blasting what sounded like Middle Eastern techno-pop, giving the approachingly eerie scene an equally strange soundtrack.

That was at least until the sirens took over. President Bush was leaving the convention center. He had stood briefly on the theater-in-the-round stage that makes one think of Robert Goulet before commander in chief, and practiced a few lines from his speech.

The motorcade exited the Garden slowly but by the time it had hit the Avenue it was screaming and moving at freeway speeds.

A young police officer turned from the crowds at the barricades to try to catch a glimpse of the president.
 
"Eyes on the crowd," the woman in charge yelled at him. Twice, before he got the message.

With the president gone, it was back to what had become to seem normal, if normal includes sharpshooters, police dogs, hovering helicopters and security so tight you have to take a drink of your coffee to show the Secret Service it is, really, just a tall, split-shot Americano.

In hindsight, the strange thing is that Don King's jacket was visible before his hair. The sequins on his back looked like Times Square neon. The boxing promoter with the 110-volt hair was inside the security perimeter holding forth for a television interview where he seemed to be explaining why America is great.

Inside Madison Square Garden, on the ground floor, behind a curtained-off holding room, came the sound of a big man and little children. More call and response, this time in a gospel style.

The big man was Grammy Award-winning gospel singer Donnie McClurkin. The children were from a Long Island church, and they sang to him, "Yes, I can. I can do anything."

They were rehearsing for their primetime appearance on the convention stage.

McClurkin waved his arms, cajoled them to sing every word, have fun and "don't be afraid of the people."

Standing near by, at what's called Radio Row, you could see a parade of pundits paying visits to talk-radio hosts from around the country.

KIRO AM host Dori Monson had an eclectic mix: Pat Boone, Don King, Pat Buchanan, Sam Donaldson. Perhaps a mind-altering mix of Republican boosters.

Monson told Buchanan: "I've never dropped acid before, but this is what it must be like."

David Postman: 360-943-9882 or dpostman@seattletimes.com