Why? Because Republicans apparently don’t think the economy needs solving. Here’s Harold Meyerson:
I have combed the schedule of events here without finding a single forum, workshop or kaffeeklatsch devoted to what John McCain and the Republican Party propose to do about America’s short- and long-term economic challenges. I’ve found four panels on what to do about the Middle East, but not one on what to do about the Middle West.
Some events deal with aspects of economic policy, to be sure: The Consumer Electronics Association is sponsoring a salute to free trade. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is hosting a Vote for Business Bandwagon. The American Petroleum Institute, in conjunction with the American Gas Association and the National Mining Association, is throwing a wingding for Republican governors. And I count two forums on tax issues….
Then again, the Republicans here plainly don’t believe that the economy needs fixing. On Monday, a New York Times poll of Republican convention delegates showed that 57 percent believe the American economy is in very good or fairly good shape.
This is in keeping with yesterday’s speeches. And it shouldn’t be a surprise. This is the campaign run by a guy who said just yesterday, “This election is not about issues. This election is about a composite view of what people take away from these candidates.”
Oh, and somebody tell Ross Douthat and Reihan Salam that they’re being ignored.
