Crashing the Party: The Voice of Manhattan Republicans by Lisa Quintela What happens when you pose as a Bush supporter at an RNC party hosted by Manhattan Republicans? A lot of forthcoming Bush-sympathizers saying things they wouldn’t dare utter among a crowd of war protesters in Union Square. Things like, “It’s bad when our troops die in Iraq, but they didn’t have to sign up for the military to go to college; they could have gotten a loan,” according to party host Richard Kronish.

The Troops Rally Behind A Bush Campaign Slogan

And statements like, “We went into Iraq not necessarily to find the weapons of mass destruction, but to look for them! Why are people upset that they aren't there? A lack of weapons. Hello? That’s a good thing,” said by another host, Kimberly Nocita.

On Thursday September 2, Bush accepted his nomination at Madison Square Garden to run for President of the United States for another four years. Republican Manhattanites, a rare breed in this predominantly liberal town, had a chance to convene, celebrate, and come out of the woodwork. Nearly 7,000 parties, organized through the Bush campaign website, were thrown nationwide to celebrate Bush’s nomination. Six out of these 7,000 parties were hosted in Manhattan.

Closeted Republicans, Bush-curious Democrats, and staunch Republicans who know it and really want to show it, rejoice! Attending a party was as easy as going to George Bush’s campaign website to find a list of parties being thrown in the vicinity, and requesting an online invitation from the given host. The most elaborate party of this kind was thrown at Bayard’s, a financial district restaurant that has more of a New England caddyshack country club feel to it than a refined eatery.

Peter Poulakakos, owner of Bayard’s, and business partner Frank Casano received an e-mail from the Bush campaign website that suggested throwing a party for the president, and were eager to celebrate the convention “in the same way that people get together to have a Superbowl or World Series party,” says Casano. I am welcomed to the party with servers holding trays of tiny quiche and slivers of filet mignon on mini brioche. Frank Casano is sleekly decked out in a black three piece suit. He is weary of having someone interview guests at his party, and introduces me to the bodyguard at the door, joking that I will be taken care of if I get out of line. Indeed, with the protesters lining up outside of Madison Square Garden, I suppose he felt the need to make sure his party of an expected 75 guests would be safe from anti-Bush sentiment.

This paranoia is also apparent as I make my way toward young newlywed couple Erin and Alex. “We were cynical [about] coming, with the possibility of being duped into something that’s going to be a harmful situation,” says Erin. Nevertheless, she is eager to express her views openly, despite her husband’s apprehension. “I don’t mind giving you my last name,” she says to me. Alex warns her, “In this city, you’ve got to be careful.” Erin retorts, “I’m proud to be a Republican. In NY it’s hard to find anyone who shares support for the President. I’ve been somewhat of a closeted conservative, so this is also like my coming out party.” Even so, Erin, admits she still feels the pressure. “I feel like I’m wearing a Scarlet letter” (as she points to the pro-Bush button above on her blouse). It’s unfair because the Democratic Party is historically considered the party of tolerance, yet they have nothing but intolerance for those of us who have different views.” Erin, the daughter of Iowa Republican State Senator Paul McKinley, told a classmate about her father. “[My classmate] will not talk to me now because my father is a Republican, and that’s what I deal with all the time."

Proponents of this resolution argue that Iowa’s statutory ban against same-sex marriage must be cemented in the state constitution to guard against court challenges. It is therefore no surprise that the newlyweds also remain firm on the gay marriage issue as well. “We respect the institution of marriage. It’s between a man and a woman, and it’s a sacred bond. You shouldn’t be able to marry your pet, you shouldn’t be able to marry a tree, and you shouldn’t be able to marry someone of the same sex,” says Alex. (Assuming that a gay human being can be likened to a tree or a pet, of course.)

“One day we’re going to look back and say George Bush was a great president, a great man,” adds Alex. “Bush has never caved, and Kerry has voted on both sides of every issue,” inserts Erin. Many would agree with her statement. However, Teresa Heinz Kerry has said before that President Bush’s unwillingness to change is a character flaw that shows "inattention and indifference" rather than strength, according to a speech addressed to the Congressional Hispanic Caucus. This perspective does not convince Alex, however, who has a sister in the Air Force right now. “She’s done special missions in Iraq. I don’t trust John Kerry to be her commander-in-chief,” says Alex.

Steven Colbert of the Daily Show Interviews Some RNC Participants Who Are Not In On The Joke

Moving right along: I make my way towards the back of the room where there hangs a blown-up photograph of two GOP soldiers holding up a piece of cardboard that reads, “Fuck You Michael Moore.” Mr. Casano admits he has not seen Moore’s film, Fahrenheit 9/11, but quips, “I don’t have to eat garbage to know that garbage doesn’t taste good.” In front of a blown-up poster of Bush delivering a State of the Union address is Maureen McCray, a middle-aged woman who comes from a long line of die-hard Democrats. She voted for Bush in 2000 and, although admittedly undecided about this election, she will probably vote for Bush again. As a New Yorker, she is glad that Bush was in office during 9/11.

“I think he’s aggressive, which is what we need, and he’s the one who’s going to protect us,” says McCray. Yet McCray hopes for Bush to improve his platform. “I think we’ve gained a lot of strides in women’s rights, but I still think we have a long way to go. Also, everyone was concentrating on Iraq, but where did Bin Laden go? Is {Bush} going to go after him? That’s the Democrat speaking in me.” Regardless, McCray defends Bush’s decision for war. “Just because we haven’t found weapons of mass destruction, doesn’t mean they weren’t there. I’m not buying that Bush family oil theory, but I love the fact that people are protesting. I love the fact that we’re able to do that in this country. Let every issue and opinion be heard,” says McCray.

The room has filled with Polo shirts, loafers, and surprisingly, a few young hipsters – the kind you would see in the Lower East Side, possibly wearing Che Guevara T-shirts. There’s a lot of chatter, competing with the two huge television monitors that are screening Fox News.

I decide to make my exit to go to the next party. Before doing so, I make my way over to Mr. Casano. He had met the President in Washington D.C., and “saw in his eyes an emotion that isn’t conveyed on television.” He doesn’t understand how or why people compare Bush to Hitler. Mr. Casano likes to use his own analogies. He particularly likes comparing rabid dogs that attack children to enemies such as Osama Bin Laden and Saddam Hussein who terrorize the United States. “As a parent, you have to protect your children and get rid of those rabid dogs before they even enter the backyard where your children are playing. That’s what President Bush is doing for the country. How do you get one group of people to stop hating another one? Words don’t do it alone. You have to stand up.” Casano is interrupted by his bodyguard who tells him that Florida Republican Senator John McKay wants to speak to him. I don’t see the Senator in the room, so I assume he’s on the phone. I leave the bustling party, passing the bodyguard on my way out, who is serving more as a bouncer now, sans the velvet rope.