You’re welcome, America.

Prior to last week’s Democratic National Convention in Denver, we pleaded for this year’s conventions to do just one thing: Buck the trend of “style over substance, pageantry over platform and showmanship over solutions.”

So far, it appears that the party leaders have listened to us. Sen. Obama gave a speech outlining his background, his thoughts on policy and his vision for a nation under his leadership. We were impressed.

Then, in the past days, with Hurricane Gustav bearing down on the Gulf Coast, the Republicans preemptively shifted their convention schedule to focus only on the required proceedings. Instead of opulent celebrations over their newly formed presidential ticket, the organizers have directed their attention toward using the convention’s resources to improving the response and relief efforts.

Also impressive.

We’re proud of ourselves — after all, we asked and they listened.
Sure, it’s possible they were just listening to common sense — and the National Weather Service — but don’t worry; we’re still more than willing to take credit.

By the same token, we’re still more than willing to take aim. After taking on the Democrats schedule and poking fun last week, we still need to settle the score by looking at the Republicans’ weekly schedule.

It’s true, their first move at this Minnesota convention has been played to perfection politically — they get to help out the people left reeling in the hurricane’s wake, they get to keep Sen. McCain and President Bush in different states and they get to address one of their party’s Achilles heels by looking compassionate — there’s still plenty of work left to go.

Here is how we expect the rest of the convention to shake down:
Ironically, after missing out on Monday’s original action-packed schedule, including Vice President Cheney and President Bush, Tuesday is aptly themed “Reform.” This will be the Republicans’ chance to put distance between the current administration and what they hope to be the future administration.

We expect them to do a hush-hush tiptoe around the policies of Bush and Cheney, pulling out veiled criticism yet shielding their insults in hopes that they don’t hurt any feelings. This is also ironic — you can’t hide from an administration that seemingly has everyone’s wires tapped.

For Wednesday, the theme is “Prosperity,” and who better to hear from than McCain’s running mate, Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, whose husband works in the oil industry? But we don’t want to be bagging on Palin too hard.

After all, she’s a lifetime member of the National Rifle Association and if there’s just one place we’d be glad to see improvement coming from the Vice President’s office, it’s in the marksmanship category. If we could flash back to 2006, we would like to think that one gentleman’s face would agree with us.

Thursday night’s conclusion will find McCain hitting the stage to officially accept the party’s presidential nomination. If his past speeches are any indication, we should be hearing about his thoughts on terrorism — following Osama bin Laden to the “gates of Hell;” and torture — he voted against a waterboarding ban; and Iran — “Bomb, bomb, bomb, bomb, bomb Iran;” and Iraq — where he’d be “fine” to stay for another “100 years.”

Oh, and the convention’s Thursday night theme? “Peace.”

But hey, we can’t complain too much — if nothing else, at least they got the first night right.