My imaginary focus group

9:15: Michael Reagan introduces the Ronald Reagan tribute, which, in contrast to the Gerald Ford film of two days earlier, is elegantly produced and fairly touching, though there's a jarring moment when Arnold Schwarzenegger appears. (He's really everywhere now!) Touched by the film. I call up my local video store clerk and ask him if he has an expert opinion or, failing that, a DVD of the first season of "Da Ali G show." He reminds me that Nancy Reagan had been in the film business as well, that Michael Reagan is a radio talk show host, that, if he recalled correctly, Ron Reagan had hosted "Saturday Night Live," and that if the Reagans' friends and family couldn't assure a good tribute film, then all this talk about the nexus between entertainment and politics was as ridiculous as that Best Supporting Actress Oscar for Judi Dench when she only had seven minutes or so of screen time. He then insisted that I had to check out this new three-hour Finnish documentary, but I begged off.

10:15: I open my window and shout at the guy across the air shaft who's watching television.

ME: Hey! Guy watching television! Hey!

GUY: Whaddya want?

ME: Are you watching Zell Miller?

GUY: What?

ME: I can't see what you're watching but I can see the glow of the television. So I wanted to ask you: don't you think that Zell Miller is being more than a bit unfair? You know, the way he's flaying Kerry on national security? Listening to Miller, you'd think Kerry was practically in league with Al Qaeda GUY: Look, man, I'm watching the game.

ME: Oh, sorry.

GUY: But, you know, I wouldn't be upset with Miller; if Kerry wasn't so abysmal at making his own case about his opposition to the war, then Miller's attacks would slip off. The only reason there's real traction there is because of Kerry's terrible explanations and muddled rationales - as well as no real plan for managing the situation - has given the Republicans and their friends opportunities to turn one of their big potential weaknesses back into the strength they always thought it was going to be. Perhaps you're not angry at Zell Miller? Aren't you really angry at ...you?

ME: Well, I'm also not incredibly pleased with Miller, but, hey, thanks, television guy!

GUY: No worries.

10:45: It was getting late, so I didn't want to bother anyone else, and watched Dick Cheney's speech all by myself, marveling at how a low-key and quiet delivery can allow for the most audacious spin, misinterpretation, strategic straddling of the truth, and character assassination this side of an eliminated contestant's comments on a reality television show. But you have to give the man his due: he knows how to pick a speechwriter. Someone who managed to create prose that was both elegant and colloquial, by turns scathing and warmly approving, bringing together its own community while letting everyone else know they don't need to bother showing up. I wouldn't be half surprised if the Wyoming native had a New Yorker on staff.

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