The GOP Convention sounded so much like 1984!

Doesn't the following sound like a pretty good summary of the recently concluded Republican convention?

The fundamentalism that the Republicans had embraced went beyond religion. It simplified the world in general; it rolled together many different kinds of anxieties—schools, drugs, race, buggery, Russia, to give just a few; and it offered the simplest, the vaguest solution: Americanism, the assertion of the American self. Practical matters were in the party’s printed platform and remained locked up there. Apart from "Condoleezza Rice’s" speech about foreign affairs, there had been very little of purely political discussion. Americanism had been the theme of the convention, now defiant, now sentimental, as in "Mr. Romney's" acceptance speech. Fundamentalism, in its Republican political interpretation, was not just a grim business; it was as stylish as Mr. Romney himself. The Republicans were “pro-life.” That meant anti-abortion; but during the week another, metaphorical, meaning began to be attached to the word. To be pro-life was to be vigorous, joyful, and optimistic; it was to turn away from the gloom and misery of the other side, who talked of problems and taxes.

But, you know what?  This was how VS Naipaul described the convention that was held in Dallas way back in 1984! 

In the paragraph that I had excerpted, the original had "Reagan" where I substituted "Romney" and "Jeane Kirkpatrick" in place of Condoleezza Rice.

In other words, not much has changed in the Republican convention and its message!

Next up: the political theatre at Charlotte, courtesy of the Democrats.