Live Chat: Peter Jennings

July 26, 2000 -- The Republican Party has promised that this year's convention would break with the past.

It has tried to deliver on the promise of a more diverse convention — the roster of scheduled speakers ranges from retired Gen. Colin Powell to professional wrestler "The Rock," and the party is making a point of addressing hot topics like abortion and affirmative action.

What's going on behind the scenes at the convention? What makes this year's GOP conclave different? Get a newsman's perspective from our live chat with World News Tonight anchor Peter Jennings. You can read a transcript of the chat below.

Moderator:

Welcome, ABCNEWS' Peter Jennings.

Peter Jennings:

I think the interesting thing here is the convention did not address hot topics such as abortion and affirmative action. Those topics were kept quite significantly out of the public debate.

The party has tried hard to impress the audience at home with its self image of inclusiveness. It may have been more successful with the television audiencethan the dot-com audience.

Similarly, this is a more inclusive party than it was at its convention four years ago, and the candidate has a record on this subject, about which he can be examined.

Moderator:

Are the delegates truly enthusiasticabout the Bush-Cheney ticket?

Peter Jennings:

I think the delegates, given that they are activists, want to win. To that end, they must be enthusiastic. At the same time, I was impressed that last night the delegates may have ended up enthusiastically lifting Cheney rather than Cheney necessarily inspiring them.

Moderator:

What have been some of the highlights ofthis year's convention for you?

Peter Jennings:

The most recent highlight is the Cheney speech — a clear direction in which the party intends to campaign. Whether the Republicans will be successful going after Clinton, whether they will be successful tying Gore to Clinton, whether they can prevail with the moral mood in the country as anissue rather than a very strong economy, is yet to be tested.

Steve says: How do you think Dick Cheney will reconcilehis conservative, right-wing political views with his daughter'shomosexuality? What effect do you think this may have on his campaign?

Peter Jennings:

Steve, I think this is an issue that is bubbling through thesurface here at the moment. There are several questions which the Cheneys have not yetanswered satisfactorily for many in the gay movement. I do not think this is an issue of the Cheneys and theirdaughter (who they clearly love), per se, but more an issue of his political positions on gays and lesbiansin the military, and on laws which may affect gays and lesbians in one way oranother.

Paul says: Do you think the Republican Party will beviewed as sincere by minorities, in its efforts to appear inclusive?

Peter Jennings:

Paul, I can't answer the question in a very full way. We, after all, are here, and you are out there. It IS true that the delegate community here is more representative of the country than it was four years ago. The number of minority delegates has increased.

Many people, however, will argue that the intensity of the inclusion message seen here on the podium is not necessarily reflected in Republican positions on minorityissues.

Becky says: Frankly, this carefully-choreographed effortat portraying inclusiveness and multiculturalism is wearing a little thin,Peter. Most of us know the real deal: the GOP is mostly male, mostly white,mostly rich.

Rather than reaping electoral benefits from a newly-discoveredzeal for diversity, do you feel the Republican Party risks a backlash fromAmericans who see this as blatant pandering?

Peter Jennings:

Becky, I've heard this before from other people, so I'm awarethat it's a strongly held opinion in the country. At the same time, I think the Republican Party would ask you totake a closer look at George W., to see that his opinions and attitudes aredifferent from those laid out here. You are right, however: The GOP is still mostly white.

David says: Your nightly "money trail" is really rippinginto the RNC. I would assume that when the other convention is taking placeyou will have the same thing.

Peter Jennings:

David, your assumption is absolutely correct.

Pat says: The WWF's The Rock was on the floor last night.Many critics don't think that the WWF should get involved, because itpromotes violence.

On WWF TV programs, they have been giving live remotes ofthe convention in order to encourage "the millions and millions" of theRock's fans to register to vote. They have also had tables set up in theirevents so that fans can register to vote. Do you think it is right tocriticize the WWF?

Peter Jennings:

Pat, it is hard to argue against any campaign for voterregistration. Similarly, numerous conservative Christians at the convention and elsewhere believe that having The Rock here was not a goodexample. It's another example of how individuals in the various quadrantsof the Republican Party have been willing to put aside an individualposition in the interest of possible victory.

Dwight says: The Atlantic's article featuring a "fanged"Al Gore on the cover writes how he decimated his debate opponents in 1996.Can George Bush successfully compete with such an experienced debater?

Peter Jennings:

Dwight, it's interesting: The Bush team is already putting it out that their candidate hasto face a very accomplished debater in Al Gore — we call it "low balling" in our trade — in order to give their own candidate an edge, if they can. I am fairly convinced that when the debates are held, Mr. Bush and Mr. Gore will be held as equals.

Allison says: Condoleezza Rice cut an impressive figure inher speech the other night. What role is she expected to play in a Bushadministration? What was her role in President Bush's administration? Howis she viewed by the press?

Peter Jennings:

Allison, at ABCNews, we know Condi Rice very well. We put her on television for the first time several years ago as an analyst of the Soviet military, which was her specialty.

Today, George W. places enormous faith in her judgement, but I have no idea what role she might play if he is elected. George W. has many advisors on foreign affairs, several of whom were his father's advisors. I know he is enjoying his new experience with foreign policymatters.

Moderator:

With the announcement of the VP choiceprior to the convention, and no real surprises, why are we still havingconventions?

Peter Jennings:

For those of you asking about the validity of conventions, afairly simple answer: These are the first big events in a political year where we in the media generally — television, radio, dot.com — where we enable the public to have a fairly complete look at the candidate and how the party wishes to present itself.

To that end, conventions are a target of opportunity for us and for you. Here you can judge the candidate, his control of his party, the message which they "choose" to send to the public, and subsequently, whether they can sustain the bounce that almost every politician gets in these circumstances.

Rudi says: What are the chances of Gore putting a black male on the short list for vicepresident? How would that help/hurt him?

Peter Jennings:

Rudi, I know of no black American currently being considered byMr. Gore. Candidates make their decisions for a variety of reasons. The essential rule of thumb in choosing a vice presidentialnominee is, "first, do no harm."

Joe says: We as Americans now know what Cheney brings tothe table. Can you comment on what other members Bush has on his "team" andwhat they can add to a possible Bush presidency?

Peter Jennings:

The other senior individual who we know Bush is considering for a government job is Colin Powell. The Powell Doctrine, as it's called, argues for restraint in foreign affairs and no American military involvement unless it's a sure-winsituation.

General Powell has a long history in political/military matters. This will be very important if he's selected.

beau_harrisburg says: Sorry to drop back to two nightsago, but... Jeff Greenfield on CNN made this observation about McCain: Hehad to walk a fine line in his speech, both endorsing Bush and holding trueto his supporters and ideas. He said this was evident in the speech — the"straight talk" wasn't there. Did you see that? Do you think we'll see iton the campaign trail?

Peter Jennings:

Beau, I generally agree with Jeff Greenfield, whether he's working at ABC or CNN, but I was somewhat surprised to what extent McCain went the other night in committing himself to Bush. I am one of those who believes that McCain has had his essential political moment. I think he helped Mr. Bush with such a generous testimonial to his character in the speech the other night.

ABCNEWSfan says: What, if any, cable news network are youwatching for information?

Peter Jennings:

I'm glad you're an ABCNEWS viewer. The danger at a convention like this, with so much media available to us, is staying in the truck or in the tent and not going into the convention hall. I have been anchoring the broadcast from the convention floor, in part because it is a far more energizing environment.

It's important for us, however, to watch television, because it is what impact this has on the television audience that is most important. So when I have time, of which I have little, I try to get a glimpse of everybody.

Bridget says: Do you think Bush's speech tonight will echothe negativity of Dick Cheney last night, or will it be more focused on theissues, so we might actually hear what he stands for?

Peter Jennings:

Bridget, it is very important that the country understand at the end of this speech what George W. stands for. It is an essential ingredient in this important speech. He has much to accomplish, and some obstacles to overcome. He is an enthusiastic speaker on the stump, but it is similarly traditional that the vice-presidentialrunning mate does some of the dirty work in the campaign, enabling the presidential nominee to stay somewhat above it all.

Moderator:

After covering a number of conventions,how do you think this one will be remembered?

Peter Jennings:

I think it will be remembered in part for the discipline of the delegates and the public attempt by the party to portray itself as inclusive.

Thank you all for being here.

Moderator:

Thanks for taking part in today's chat with Peter Jennings. For continuing coverage of the Republican and Democratic conventions, and to continue this conversation on our message boards, keep visiting www.abcnews.go.com. Thank you, and good day.