There’s been some griping from Democrats about the GOP having its convention in New York so close to the anniversary of September 11, when the incumbent party’s conventions are normally in mid-August, but a look at the calendar (thanks to The Note) explains why the Republicans are staging the convention so late:
July 26, 2004: Target start date for the 108th Congress’ August recess
July 26-29, 2004: Democratic National Convention, Boston
Aug. 14-29, 2004: Summer Olympic Games, Athens, Greece
Aug. 30-Sept. 2, 2004: Republican National Convention, New York City
Sept. 6, 2004: Labor Day
Sept. 7, 2004: Target end date for the 108th Congress’ August recess
As Bill Clinton might have told himself: it’s the Olympics, stupid.