A Swell of Souvenirs at the RNC

The Republican delegates are sampling New York in many ways, and they are showing a penchant for excess.“Every convention is reflective of its community,” said the director of the Center for Politics at the University of Virginia, Larry Sabato. “And New York is the capital of the world even at 3 a.m.”So while the conventioneers are doing the things they typically do at a political convention – spending money on merchandise supporting their candidate and socializing – this time around, the feeling is even more pronounced.“I can feel my purse getting lighter,” shouted an Idaho Republican before scampering upstairs to the “Grand Old market Place,” the suite-cum-boutique at the New York Hilton.On Tuesday afternoon as shoppers were pursuing rotating Christmas ornaments in sparkly gold or earrings that feature the likeness of Laura Bush, others were snapping up copies of “Dessert University,” the cookbook by White House pastry chef Roland Mesnier, who was on hand for a book-signing. Still more Republicans were standing in line awaiting Rudy Giuliani’s appearance to sign his book “Leadership.”Deloris Newell, of Canton, Mich., reveled in the variety of merchandise available as compared with her previous conventions in 1976 and 1980.“You were lucky to get buttons and hats in the past. I don’t remember any book-signings,” said Ms. Newell, who had spent the previous evening event hopping. First up was a Daimler-Chrysler museum reception, then drinks for a congressman at Mickey Mantle’s, then the Travis Tritt concert.If there’s more of everything at this convention, it is to some extent the natural evolution of political conventions.“Every four years there are more ancillary events,” said Mr. Sabato, who has attended 16 conventions. “In 1976 there were half the events and everybody showed up to every one.”But as the original purpose – the selection of a candidate – has been pretty much taken care of by this point, everyone can enjoy the free time.“Ninety-five percent of the delegates can just listen and cheer,” said the editor of the Weekly Standard, William Kristol. “They don’t have to debate anything.”They don’t really even have to show up; a fair number of events have been scheduled at the same time as the main convention speeches and attendees have readily left the hall during prime time.Another factor is the inherent difference between the political parties.“Republicans are more organized than Democrats with conventions. It’s just one of those things that is,” said National Journal’s White House correspondent, Carl Cannon, who has attended more than a dozen conventions.But the root of this full-on convention is the nature of the venue itself: New York City.“It’s a party-heavy convention,” said Mr. Kristol. “In other places, there are plenty of events, but sometimes they’re in drab banquet halls. Here there are plenty of chic restaurants.”And the availability of them seems to have encouraged parties and attendance.“New York is bigger,” said Mr. Cannon, who marveled at the ease of getting to the Travis Tritt concert after Monday night’s session. “In Boston, the perimeter was so big there was nothing really like [a centrally located concert]. You were walking and walking and walking and then you’re crossing the Charles River. This thing was on 34th street.”The delegates themselves love the proximity of their hotels to the parties – just the way New Yorkers love the proximity of their apartments to watering holes. “Everything was so spread out in Philadelphia,” said Illinois delegate Tracy Bost of the 2000 convention.Debi Parker, a North Carolina delegate, who served at the convention in New Orleans, had a similar reaction. “The hotels weren’t as close to each other as they are here. We’re within blocks of everything,” she said, adding: “I think there are more events.”It’s also easy to get out and go shopping – whether that’s on Fifth Avenue or in the GOP-provided market.Looking around the Grand Old market Place with multiple copies of Mr. Mesnier’s book in-hand, Ms. Parker said: “There are more things you really want.”Which was a good thing in terms of the books. Shoppers were not allowed to bring books into the signing; all had to be purchased on-site, even though Rudy Giuliani’s book “Leadership” was part of the delegates’ goodie bags.For these folks, though, spending cash on the former mayor was a joy. They were buying his book – now a year old – by the armload.Michigan resident Melissa O’Rear bought three, got in line at 2:15 for a 4 p.m. signing, and was downright giddy. “I am so grateful to him for what he did for the president,” she said, referring to Mr. Giuliani’s Monday night convention speech. “That’s what I’m going to say to him.”According the Mr. Sabato, the fact that there is so much convention stuff for the party faithful to buy is a sign of the times. “There are many fewer delegates of modest means – in both parties,” he said. “This is an expensive operation. The delegates have money to burn.”And boutiques around town have caught on. On Monday evening, the Montblanc boutique introduced a limited-edition pen engraved with Ronald Reagan’s signature. The made-to-order pens are available for one week only, and the company hosted a champagne reception to attract Reaganauts. Part of the price tag – which ranges from $235 to $890 (for a sterling silver, fountain pen version) – will go to the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation.But whether they’re spending cash on a 2001 Republican Cabernet Sauvignon – produced by “The Party Wine” – or new get-ups at H &M (as Ms. Bost did), they seem to be doing plenty outside the convention. As North Carolina delegate Candler Willis of North Carolina said: “Anybody who can’t spend money in New York City isn’t really trying.”

A Swell of Souvenirs at the RNC

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