As We See It: Political conventions: Why bother

Tempest in a tea party?

Has there ever been a more potent symbol of the impotency of political conventions than Tampa's Republican-fest, where the first day of windy speechmaking was wiped out by a threat of strong winds and rain?

Not to minimize the anxiety felt by Gulf Coast residents, especially in the New Orleans area, as Isaac approached, but does anyone actually care about conventions?

These quadrennial gatherings long ago lost any sense of purpose or even media attention, although the 2008 ridiculously excessive coronation of then-Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama on a Denver stage made to look like a Greek temple was widely watched by voters who bought into the concept of hope and change.

Fast-forward four years and Obama's bright and promising new politics has become just more relentless partisanship. The 2012 Obama is all about raising huge sums to pay for partisan attacks, anything to win re-election -- while presumptive Republican nominee Mitt Romney hopes for a convention boost by convincing voters Obama is a failed president, a theme sounded Tuesday evening by keynoter New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie.

Democrats meet next week in Charlotte, N.C., and the storms may have blown over by then -- although the windiness will cascade through their convention halls, too, as Romney-Ryan and their ostensible plot to turn the country over to the wealthy are pilloried.

Ah, but the speeches. If you tuned into C-SPAN

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As We See It: Political conventions: Why bother