Ron Reagan Jr. Ignores Convention
By DAVID BAUDER
01:23 AM ET 08/04/00
Associated Press Writer
PHILADELPHIA (AP) - The Republican convention tribute to his
father wasn't exactly required viewing for Ron Reagan Jr. ``I was driving to the market and flipped on NPR and heard my
father's voice coming out of the radio,'' said Reagan, a Seattle
resident who was briefly in Philadelphia Thursday to moderate a
panel discussion.
He knew the tribute was coming up, but didn't want to watch it
on TV.
``It hasn't been the most exciting convention,'' he said. ``I
can be forgiven for going to the market. The frozen food section is
more exciting.''
The discussion on arts funding for the schools was organized by
the Creative Coalition. Among the panelists was rapper Chuck D of
Public Enemy, who paused while complaining about the Reagan and
Bush administrations when he realized who was there.
``I felt a little awkward,'' Chuck D said.
Reagan smiled and waved it off.
___
A year ago, MTV's John Norris was in Rome, N.Y., covering the
fires and blaring music of Woodstock '99. This year, he's at the
GOP convention.
What's the difference between the events?
``The weather's the same,'' a sweaty Norris said. ``Bathroom
facilities? Comparable. Food and drink? I guess the GOP wins in a
photo finish.''
Woodstock had Nine Inch Nails, Rage Against the Machine, Insane
Clown Posse, Metallica, Sheryl Crow and Bush. Republicans imported
the Temptations, Hank Williams Jr., the Shirelles, Brooks & Dunn
and the Neville Brothers.
``I plead the fifth on the music,'' Norris said. MTV, a network that knows how to have a good time, has a
newfound respect for the GOP, though.
``The Republicans definitely know how to party,'' Norris said.
___
Actor Philip Seymour Hoffman has been easier to spot in
Philadelphia this week than tattoos at a biker bar. There he is at a fund-raiser for gay and lesbian Republicans. At
a Pat Robertson rally. Interviewing fellow actor William Baldwin at
a Creative Coalition panel. At a Jesse Jackson news conference. In
Kenneth Cole's new store here, the scene of a star-packed
fund-raiser for Michael J. Fox's Foundation for Parkinson's
Research.
Best known for his roles in ``Boogie Nights'' and ``Magnolia,''
Hoffman is working on a documentary about his experiences at the
convention.
Just don't ask him to discuss it.
``I don't want to talk about it,'' Hoffman said. ``I do
interviews all day.''
___
Kenneth Cole doesn't just make shoes. He makes bad shoe puns. ``A lot of people in Philadelphia aren't quite sure why they are
here,'' the designer said Thursday at a party in his store. ``They
think they're here to talk about issues. Instead, they're here to
talk about his shoes.''
Stop it, Ken.
No, wait. He's just getting warmed up.
``It is important we stay involved in the political process to
make sure that the only loafers in Washington are ours.''
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