G.O.P. Option at Convention: Luxury Liner By MICHAEL SLACKMAN, NYTimes
It is being billed as the perfect place for celebrations during the Republican National Convention next summer, with shows, fine works of art, health clubs, bars, cafes, amazing views, luxury staterooms and restaurants serving cuisine from around the world. And it is just a short walk to Midtown.
But before its visitors can cross a New York City street, they will have to pass over a gangplank. The Norwegian Dawn, a 2,240-passenger luxury cruise liner, has 15 decks, 14 bars and lounges and babbling brooks. But even docked at a pier on the Hudson River, it is not New York City. And, to many critics, that is the point.
The House majority leader, Tom DeLay, would like the ship to serve as a floating entertainment center for Republican members of Congress, and their guests, when the convention comes to New York City next Aug. 30 to Sept. 2.
”Our floating hotel will provide members an opportunity to stay in one place, in a secure fashion,” said a spokesman for Mr. DeLay….
Mr. DeLay’s idea has infuriated a cross section of New Yorkers, much to the delight of Democrats and the embarrassment of some Republicans. …
Republican strategists say being docked on the Hudson River would send out the message that they are a bunch of elitists who will not mingle with city residents — and just might be ducking New York’s laws, including the one that prohibits smoking in public places….
Still, few Republicans are willing to publicly challenge Mr. DeLay, whose nickname in Congress is the Hammer. …
One Republican strategist said he imagined that New York tabloids would run headlines like “Ship of Fools” or “Titanic.” …
Mr. DeLay has indicated that he has no plan to back off.
Mr. DeLay has won power — and loyalty — from Republican members of Congress by making sure they were treated luxuriously. He saw to it that House ethics rules were changed so that members could accept free trips and lodging to attend charity events.
This is the perfect metaphor for the Radical Right: a castle and moat to keep out the impoverished rabble while the rich indulge themselves endlessly. Didn’t the Right used to call the Left “elitists”? Probably still do — the hypocrits! mjh
See also: Tom Delay is corrupt
[The brochure] invites potential donors to give as much as $500,000 to spend time with Tom DeLay during the Republican convention in New York City next summer….
See also: Tom Delay: ‘I am the federal government.’
[Speaker of the House Tom] DeLay recently revealed how he felt about rules of general applicability. When he tried smoking a cigar in a restaurant on federal property, the manager told him it violated federal law. His response, according to The Washington Post, was, “I am the federal government.”
