New York problems plus Kenosha and Biden blaming Trump

New York problems plus Kenosha and Biden blaming Trump 08/31 by Silvio Canto Jr | Politics:

People leaving New York and now come layoffs.....The Kenosha incident.....Biden made 2 bad decisions.......Poland 1980.......

and other stories......click to listen:

Monday’s video: The campaign is on and the polls are tightening

 

Monday’s video:

The campaign is on and the polls are tightening 

Click to watch: pic.twitter.com/BkWZATkba0

— Silvio Canto, Jr. (@SCantojr) August 31, 2020

From 'I love New York' to 'I leave New York'

On a personal basis, a family member and spouse just moved out of New York.  He works in the theatre and there is not much work these days in the Big Apple.   As they told me on the phone, the place is deader than a doornail.  By the way, they also told me that you have to wait weeks to rent a moving van.  I guess that a lot of people are leaving.

We learned that New York City is about to lay off 22,000 of its approximately 330,000 city employees, according to Forbes:   

The Wall Street Journal reported that roughly 22,000 government workers need to be let go to close a $9 billion deficit that continues to grow.  

The story goes on to say that there may be more because the deficit is getting bigger.    

New York heavily relies upon its bustling commerce, entertainment and social activities to draw in and keep people. Without restaurants, concerts, museums, sporting events and people commuting into Manhattan from the other boroughs (New York City comprises of five boroughs), the city has quickly changed. Residents have fled the city. 

As people ceased commuting into New York, worked remotely, businesses shut their doors and social activities have halted, revenues to companies have plummeted. As businesses of all sizes saw their profits evaporate, the city government received significantly less in tax collection.  

Naturally, no one likes to see layoffs.  After all, these are humans, not just numbers.

Mayor Bill De Blasio will blame the virus and naturally President Trump.  He won’t blame himself or policies driving people out of New York for years.

It will be fun to watch how these liberal city council members deal with economic facts, the public sector unions, and the reality that the party is over.

P.S.  You can listen to my show (Canto Talk) and follow me on Twitter.

The week in review with Bill Katz the editor of Urgent Agenda

The week in review with Bill Katz the editor of Urgent Agenda 08/30 by Silvio Canto Jr | Politics:

Guest: Bill Katz, the editor of Urgent Agenda...The GOP and Democrat conventions are finished....It appears that the race is a dead heat..Will we have debates?....Kenosha and rushing to judgement..Chicago 1968...

and more....click to listen:

Maybe Trump should challenge Pelosi to a debate

We heard that Speaker Pelosi does not want Mr. Biden to debate President Trump.

God only knows why Speaker Pelosi said that.  Maybe she is afraid of putting the fragile Mr. Biden against the more dynamic President Trump.  Maybe this is a trick to get Mr. Biden to say that he is not afraid of debating.  Maybe she is just trying to feed the crazy left a bit disillusioned with Mr. Biden.

So President Trump should offer to debate Speaker Pelosi.  It would actually be interesting to see Pelosi make her case, or to argue on behalf of all of the legislation they’ve passed that stalled in the U.S. Senate.  Maybe President Trump can ask the speaker to opine on Sister Dede’s speech against abortion.

My good guess is that Speaker Pelosi can sense a momentum change after the two conventions.  Senator Harris’s selection and the lawlessness in the cities have turned this contest around, as the betting odds clearly show.

Nevertheless, President Trump should call on Mr. Biden to let the speaker take his place and watch the debate from the basement.

PS: You can listen to my show (Canto Talk) and follow me on Twitter.

Operation Pedro Pan: So many years later!

Back in 2013, we spoke with Maria de la Milera, 2nd Vice President of Pedro Pan Organization in Miami.   

The "Pedro Pan story" continues to touch our hearts.  Back in the early 1960's, approximately 14,000 unaccompanied children left Cuba and ended up in Miami and elsewhere.   Some of them formed The Pedro Pan Organization to remember and preserve the legacy.   

PS: You can listen to my show (Canto Talk) and follow me on Twitter.    If you like our posts, drop a dime here.   Click here for the show:

A look back at some important elections

We hear often that this is the "most important election of our lifetime".   

In my opinion, the 5 most important elections in US history were as follows:

1796:  Our first competitive election after President Washington retired from power.  It was the election that created the two party system, i.e. the current Democrats and the Whigs that became the modern GOP;

1860: The election that put Abraham Lincoln in power and saw the nation break into two;

1876: The election that really ended the Civil War and condemned US blacks to second class status in the South;

1932: The election that put FDR in the White House; and,

1980: The election that put Reagan in power.

I can safely say that 2020 is one of the most important elections ever.  It will be huge because there is a real choice.  

PS: You can listen to my show (Canto Talk) and follow me on Twitter.    If you like our posts, drop a dime here.

1967: Thurgood Marshall confirmed as Supreme Court justice

On this day in 1967, Thurgood Marshall was confirmed as Supreme Court Justice.  
Before being nominated by President Johnson, Mr. Marshall was a strong civil rights leader and attorney.  He served until 1991 when he was replaced by Justice Clarence Thomas.

PS: You can listen to my show (Canto Talk) and follow me on Twitter.    If you like our posts, drop a dime here.  A few years ago, Juan Williams wrote a good book about Justice Marshall:

Biden blew it twice

As in previous campaigns, some historian or journalist will write a version of “The making of a President 2020.”  My guess is than an honest author will look back at the two things that Mr. Biden did wrong.

First, he picked Kamala Harris for vice president.  She does not add a single vote to his effort.  Also, she is hurt by the reality that Biden will be the oldest president if he assumes office.  You can’t blame voters for looking beyond Biden and wondering what a Harris presidency would look like.

Second, Biden gave up “the law and order” issue.  In fact, his speech did not a say a word about it.  Not even a “thumbs up” for the men and women protecting us from coast to coast.  

President Trump hit the right points in his speech.  I thought that it was a bit too long, but that’s me. Nevertheless, it was a good speech as Stephen Kruiser wrote:     

It’s easy to see why the Dems were running around barking “Hatch Act!” like scared chihuahuas all week. That speech with that backdrop was light years beyond that hostage-situation video that the DNC ended on last week.

Yes, it was a great week for the GOP and let’s see how much campaigning Joe Biden will actually do.

P.S.  You can listen to my show (Canto Talk) and follow me on Twitter.

The GOP convention with George Rodriguez

The GOP convention with George Rodriguez 08/28 by Silvio Canto Jr | Politics:

Guest: George Rodriguez, South Texas conservative......We will look back at the GOP convention and more stories.....click to listen:

Friday's video: The Republicans did well

 

Friday’s video:

The Republicans did well

Click to watch: pic.twitter.com/rrcumAZLal

— Silvio Canto, Jr. (@SCantojr) August 28, 2020

Why doesn’t Joe Biden denounce the left?

Fox News contributor Leslie Marshall is worried that the GOP is painting a false image of Joe Biden.  This is what she wrote:    

Under the Republicans’ nightmare scenario, America under President Biden would be a nation where no one is be safe from dangerous criminals, the federal government would wage war on religion and God, our economy would be destroyed, taxes would go sky high, and we’d all be living in darkened homes because fossil fuels would be made illegal.   

The Republican caricature of Biden and the Democrats is so extreme and detached from reality that it could pass for a sketch on “Saturday Night Live” or a story In the satirical news site The Onion.

Okay then, call on Blden to explain or clarify himself.  Unfortunately for Biden, many of our citizens are not safe in cities run by Democrats, some governors from his party did not want people in churches, but it was okay to march or protest, and then there is Green New Deal that he supports.

Biden should give a speech and clear the air.  Tell us where he actually stands on abortion and late-term abortion.  He can explain how he’d handle the violence in Portland, Chicago, and Kenosha.  

I agree with Leslie that Joe Biden is not some crazy lefty.  At the same time, he has not distanced himself from his party’s left wing and has selected a running mate who is ultra liberal.  He could have selected a different person and send a message that he is from the center rather than the left.  He could have addressed the violence in our cities in his speech but did not.

So don’t blame voters if they look at 2020 Biden and see a leftist.

P.S.  You can listen to my show (Canto Talk) and follow me on Twitter.

We remember Nancy "Miss Hathaway" Culp (1921-91)

We remember Nancy Culp who was born in Harrisburg, PA, on this day in 1921.  

She played a few roles along the way and then hit the jackpot as Miss Jane Hathaway in "The Beverly Hillbillies".   

Who didn't love the bank president's secretary?  

The show was on the air for 9 seasons so we saw "Miss Hathaway" in lots of episodes.  She died in 1991.

PS: You can listen to my show (Canto Talk) and follow me on Twitter.    If you like our posts, drop a dime here.

GOP night 3 plus Sister Dede and a 2nd term agenda

GOP night 3 plus Sister Dede and a 2nd term agenda 08/27 by Silvio Canto Jr | Politics:

The GOP convention day # 3 was wonderful specially Sister Dede Byrne who spoke against abortion......AT post about Cubans speaking at convention........President Trump should present a very specific agenda and forcing Mr. Biden to defend his opposition......NBA boycott?.......and other stories.....click to listen:

Thursday’s video: Sister Dede Byrne’s pro-life speech will connect with many voters

 

Thursday’s video:

Sister Dede Byrne’s pro-life speech will connect with many voters 

Click to watch: pic.twitter.com/VXCmLYdoCG

— Silvio Canto, Jr. (@SCantojr) August 27, 2020

The Cubans adding their story to the GOP proceedings

It was great to see people at the GOP convention telling stories that I can relate to.

First, businessman Maximo Alvarez told you what it was like to live under communism.  His speech took me back to a time when my parents used to whisper to each other for fear of being heard by the secret police.  He said this and it’s worth repeating:   

“I’ve seen movements like this before. I’ve seen ideas like this before and I’m here to tell you, we cannot let them take over our country.”

“I heard the promises of Fidel Castro. And I can never forget all those who grew up around me, who looked like me, who could have been me, who suffered and starved and died because they believed those empty promises. They swallowed the communist poison pill….”

It is indeed a poison pill.  The left plays the class envy card, then the race card and then your dad is in jail because he is allegedly a CIA agent.   

Let me paraphrase my late father:  “On January 1, 1959, it was a hope and then they went after the U.S. properties, then Cuban properties, and then no one could believe that it happened so fast.”

The second Cuban who spoke was Lt. Governor Jenniffer Nunez of Florida.  She was born here of Cuban immigrant parents.  Lt. Gov. Nunez remembers the Cuba story well, specially when they closed the places of worship.

It’s important for the country to hear these stories.  Hopefully, the convention will hear from someone in Venezuela where the misery is unfolding in front of our eyes.

I was proud of the Cuban-American representatives for speaking well and reminding everyone, as my late father said, how fast you can lose it all if you give an inch to the radical left.

P.S.  You can listen to my show (Canto Talk) and follow me on Twitter.

GOP Night 2 was great plus Kenosha and baseball on TV 1939

GOP Night 2 was great plus Kenosha and baseball on TV 1939 08/26 by Silvio Canto Jr | Politics:

The GOP convention was great again....CSPAN is the best way to watch the convention.......Kenosha and people jumping to conclusions plus Democrat who won't condemn riots.......First baseball game on TV 1939.....'Hey Jude' 1968.........and other stories.....click to listen:

Wednesday’s video: Democrat leaders need to speak loudly against the violence

 

Wednesday’s video:

Democrat leaders need to speak loudly against the violence 

Click to watch: pic.twitter.com/ZNpX8b5QKu

— Silvio Canto, Jr. (@SCantojr) August 26, 2020

Getting stuck with PBS

On Monday night, I got stuck watching the GOP convention on PBS.  It’s a complicated story but I got to see the first night on an over-the-air signal.     

For the record, I did not watch the PBS coverage of the Democrats.  I am not comparing one to the other.  Nevertheless, the GOP coverage was truly pathetic and one-sided.

The Herschell Walker speech got the special treatment.   First, we were told that his speech would have zero influence on fellow African Americans who are ready to give 90% of their vote to Democrats again.  On the other hand, former Senator Jeff Flake’s endorsement of Joe Biden was treated as a consequential moment.  Really, Judy?

Second, David Brooks, the “conservative,” reminded us that Donald Trump destroyed the USFL. I was always under the impression that it was a lack of TV viewers that killed the league but maybe I forgot something.   Apart from that, what does the story of the USFL have to do with Herschell Walker supporting President Trump?  Most of his success came with the NFL anyway.  Seriously, does anyone even remember that he was once a New Jersey General?

Then came Yamiche Alcindor, the PBS White House correspondent.  How can this partisan pretend to be a journalist?   

What’s wrong?   Well, this is a public network, so a little more consideration should have been given to the 63 million who voted for Donald Trump.   Wonder how many of their tax dollars are paying for this?

Like public education, public radio and TV has never been about serving the public.  It has become a refuge for political activists who pretend to be journalists or historians.

Here is the good news:   I’ll have my other TV the rest of the week with access to something more than PBS.

P.S.  You can listen to my show (Canto Talk) and follow me on Twitter.

GOP Convention Day 1 went well plus 2nd term agenda & more stories

GOP Convention Day 1 went well plus 2nd term agenda & more stories 08/25 by Silvio Canto Jr | Politics:

The GOP convention goes well on day 1.....Trump needs a specific agenda from school choice to attacking the cancel culture to law & order.....Panama Canal 1914........

and other stories......click to listen:

Tuesday’s video: Day 1 went well for GOP

 

Tuesday’s video:

Day 1 went well for GOP

Click to read: pic.twitter.com/1B6XdzipZM

— Silvio Canto, Jr. (@SCantojr) August 25, 2020

What is Kate Brown waiting for?

There was another night of riots and fire in Portland.  How many more times do we wake up to a headline like this:  “Portland police declare riot after fire set at precinct.”   

According to the story, Governor Kate Brown has 7,800 National Guardsmen but refuses to activate them to deal with the situation in Portland.

This is a combination of lawlessness, incompetence, and dereliction of duty.  Isn’t protecting citizens an important responsibility of government?

First, lawlessness just brings you more lawlessness.  We are dealing with anarchists and radicals.  They want to destroy and will continue to do so until someone has the courage to stop it.

Second, this is incompetence because the governor’s unwillingness to act will end up destroying the tax base.  According to a July report, the estimated repair costs to public buildings is $300,000 and $4.8 million in property damage to businesses.  I’m sure that the numbers have gotten larger in August.

Third, it is a dereliction of duty.  Elected officials take an oath to enforce laws and citizens pay taxes for public services, such as police protection.

Maybe these Democrat leaders think that a President Biden will step in and bail them out.  Don’t bet on it, because the anarchists will keep burning and the federal government does not have the money.

Wake up, Governor Brown.  It’s time to end this madness in Portland and defend the people who pay taxes.

P.S.  You can listen to my show (Canto Talk) and follow me on Twitter.

We remember Jerry Leiber (1933-2011)

If you like Elvis' music then you will remember that Jerry Leiber was one of his chief songwriters.  He also wrote some of the biggest hits of the pop-rock era along with his partner, Mike Stoller.

Leiber's songbook includes Elvis Presley's "Jailhouse Rock" & "Hound Dog", "Stand by me" by Ben E. King and "Love Potion #9", a hit in the late 1950's by The Clovers and later by The Searchers.

Great songwriter.

PS: You can listen to my show (Canto Talk) and follow me on Twitter. If you like our posts, drop a dime here.

The week in review with Bill Katz the editor of Urgent Agenda

The week in review with Bill Katz the editor of Urgent Agenda 08/24 by Silvio Canto Jr | Politics:

Guest: Bill Katz, the editor of Urgent Agenda........The Democrat convention last week and the GOP this week.....Biden-Harris did not get a bounce........and more....click to listen:

Friday's video: And now the GOP convention

 

Monday’s video:

And now the GOP convention 

Click to watch: pic.twitter.com/HI2zxn2rIa

— Silvio Canto, Jr. (@SCantojr) August 24, 2020

Senator Ted Kennedy (1932-2009)

Senator Ted Kennedy died on this day in 2009.    He was a US Senator from 1962 to his death, or almost 4 decades.   

At first, no one took him too seriously.   In other words, they thought that he was nothing more than a young man running on his brother's name.   By the way, that was true.   Over time, he did earn the respect of his colleagues.   

Of course, his career was severely interrupted by Chappaquiddick in the summer of 1969.   It made him very vulnerable outside of Massachusetts, as we learned in 1980 when he challenged President Carter for the nomination.

Again, I did not care for his politics but do recognize that he was a very important Democrat.

PS: You can listen to my show (Canto Talk) and follow me on Twitter. If you like our posts, drop a dime here.

Democrats can’t work up enthusiasm for Joe Biden

During the week, I noticed how the Democrat convention was all about President Trump rather than former V.P. Biden. On a nightly basis, even minute by minute, the message was that President Trump is someone between Hitler and Ivan the Terrible.

Therefore, I was not surprised to read that the 2020 ratings were below 2016.  Let’s see how it compares with the RNC next week.  President Trump may not get the 34 million who watched him in 2016, but don’t be surprised if he does.

The sad truth is that Mr. Biden does not excite Democrats, as Lauren Martinchek wrote:

Well, it’s official.

Former Vice President Joe Biden has now officially accepted the nomination of the democratic party to be President of the United States.

You would think that after months of preparation knowing that this would happen, I would be beyond the point where it bothers me. But at this moment in time, I’ve begun to realize my frustration doesn’t come from a place of simply being disappointed. Rather, it stems from the fact that democrats have opted to coalesce around a candidate that they did not even like.

Let’s see what happens next.  The sad truth is that Mr. Biden was revived in South Carolina after Senator Sanders made unbelievably stupid remarks about Fidel Castro’s Cuba.  It was enough to scare the heck out of any Democrat running between San Francisco and New York City.  So they revived Mr. Biden because he was seen as the savior.

The bride said “I do,” but everybody knows well that this is a marriage of convenience totally devoid of love.  It won’t last, especially when they hear Mr. Biden try to explain his position on most issues.

PS: You can listen to my show (Canto Talk) and follow me on Twitter.

1989: Rick Dempsey home run beat Montreal 1-0 after 22 innings

On this day in 1989, Rick Dempsey hit a 22nd inning HR to give the Dodgers a 1-0 victory over the Montreal Expos.  The game lasted 6 hours and 14 minutes.   Actually, that's rather quick considering that they played the equivalent of 2 games and 4 innings.

Dempsey came in for Mike Sciocia, batted 5 times and hit the winning HR off of Dennis Martinez, his former teammate.

We remember Dempsey from the Orioles and the 1979 and 1983 World Series.   In fact, Dempsey was the 1983 World Series MVP and caught strike three to end the Dodgers' 1988 sweep of the Oakland A's.

To say the least, one of my favorite players from that era.

PS: You can listen to my show (Canto Talk) and follow me on Twitter. If you like our posts, drop a dime here.

Happy # 62 Julio Franco

The ageless Julio Franco was born in The Dominican Republic on this day in 1958.  

He came up with the Indians in 1982 and became a regular in 1983:   .273, 80 RBI and # 2 in the AL Rookie of the Year vote.  

In 1989, Franco joined the Texas Rangers, won the 1991 AL batting title and hit .307 over 5 seasons.    

We will remember him for that unique batting stance and the fact that he played into his 40's.    In fact, he may still be playing in some league somewhere.

Franco hit .298 over 23 seasons with 2,598 hits and 1,194 RBI.   Great hitter!

PS: You can listen to my show (Canto Talk) and follow me on Twitter. If you like our posts, drop a dime here.

Clemente 1970: 10 hits in 2 games

On this day in 1970,  Roberto Clemente of the Pirates compiled his second straight 5-hit game during an 11-0 victory over the Dodgers.  He was the first player in the 20th century to collect 10 hits in two consecutive games. 

PS: You can listen to my show (Canto Talk) and follow me on Twitter. If you like our posts, drop a dime here.

How do they bring us together by not supporting the police?

We heard a lot about light and darkness in Milwaukee.   Joe Biden promised to bring the nation together.   

Unfortunately, we did not hear much about supporting our police.  As the DNC got together, Portland continues to be a mess and many in the left want to defund the police.

So how do you bring us together by avoiding the shootings and collapse of law and order in our cities?  You can’t.

I agree with Michael Goodwin that we need to know where Biden stands on these issues avoided at the convention:    

Also missing was any mention of the violence convulsing the nation’s cities. These are no longer protests over George Floyd.

These are anarchists in Seattle and Portland and elsewhere attacking the police and the courts in direct assaults on society.

In addition, common criminals have stepped into the void left by police forces that have been handcuffed and abandoned by Democratic mayors

and governors. This is a major urban crisis that neither Biden nor anyone else over four nights said a single word about.

That is shameful and a major opening for the Trump campaign.

It’s a major opening for the media if they are willing to take it.   

We need to know why the DNC did not defend the police or stand with those federal agents protecting federal buildings.  How can a national party avoid supporting the men and women who defend us?

Memo to President Trump:  Forget about Joe Biden’s mental state and just remind the public about how he supports the police and the other side does not.

P.S.  You can listen to my show (Canto Talk) and follow me on Twitter.

Biden speaks plus Goodyear PC blues plus more stories

Biden speaks plus Goodyear PC blues plus more stories 08/21 by Silvio Canto Jr | Politics:

Democrats wrap up and Mr. Biden speaks......Goodyear and PC blues......Mayor of Chicago wants her house protected........Kenny Rogers 1938-2020.....and other stories.....click to listen:

Friday’s video: Biden’s speech did not mention the violence in our cities

 

Friday’s video:

Biden’s speech did not mention the violence in our cities 

Click to watch: pic.twitter.com/47ypCzTkpP

— Silvio Canto, Jr. (@SCantojr) August 21, 2020

Goodyear: go woke and go broke

Like many of you, I’ve bought tires or used Goodyear mechanic services.  I have no complaints. They’ve been professional and the products are good.   As a former Little League coach, I can tell you that the local stores are strong supporters of youth sports.

In the last 24 hours, Goodyear has been on the front page and it’s not a Labor Day Tire Sale.

Someone at Goodyear decided to go “woke” with a stupid message about MAGA, Blue Lives Matter and so on.  My guess, and it’s only a good guess, is that someone at HR decided to get cute.  Why HR?  My sense is that Human Resources Departments coast to coast are full of these “woke” types.  They are the ones who do the “diversity training” programs.

So now comes the backlash.  President Trump called for a boycott.  And Goodyear was forced to issue a clarification:     

Yesterday, Goodyear became the focus of a conversation that created some misconceptions about our policies and our company.  For those not aware, a widely circulated image sparked a strong reaction, and we wanted to take the opportunity to provide some important context to the visual and our policies. 

First, the visual in question was not created or distributed by Goodyear corporate, nor was it part of a diversity training class. To be clear on our longstanding corporate policy, Goodyear has zero tolerance for any forms of harassment or discrimination. To enable a work environment free of those, we ask that associates refrain from workplace expressions in support of political campaigning for any candidate or political party, as well as similar forms of advocacy that fall outside the scope of racial justice and equity issues.

Second, we appreciate the diverse viewpoints of all of our more than 60,000 associates, which are at the heart of many of the policies we establish. Fostering an inclusive, respectful workplace is important to establish teamwork and build culture, which is another reason we ask associates not to engage in political campaigning of any kind in the workplace – for any candidate, party or political organization.

Third and finally, Goodyear has always wholeheartedly supported both equality and law enforcement and will continue to do so. These are not mutually exclusive. We have heard from some of you that believe Goodyear is anti-police after reacting to the visual. Nothing could be further from the truth, and we have the utmost appreciation for the vital work police do on behalf of our shared communities. This can’t be said strongly enough.

Okay.  We get it.  Someone screwed up and he or she was not speaking for the company.

The Goodyear incident should send a message to every CEO or company full of “woke” HR types.  

There were 63 million voters who made Donald Trump the president.  They live in all those red counties between the coasts where Goodyear operates very successful stores.  In other words, don’t kill your customers to please the “wokes.”   

Again, you will go broke if you go woke.

P.S.  You can listen to my show (Canto Talk) and follow me on Twitter.

Biden & Hispanics plus a few thoughts about the DNC convention

Biden & Hispanics plus a few thoughts about the DNC convention 08/20 by Silvio Canto Jr | Politics:

Guest: George Rodriguez, South Texas conservative......What's going on with Hispanics and the Biden campaign......The DNC convention review....

and more stories.........click to listen:

Thursday’s video: Biden and Hispanics

 

Thursday’s video:

Biden and Hispanics 

Click to watch: pic.twitter.com/5E1XX6XXAO

— Silvio Canto, Jr. (@SCantojr) August 20, 2020

Maybe it’s the message

The Democrats are having their virtual convention and few people are watching.  Sorry, but I am confused.  I thought that there was a hunger in the country to hear everything Anti-Trump.  Didn’t Senator Bernie Sanders say on the opening night that once radical views are now mainstream?

Something went wrong because, according to the AP, people are not watching:

Preliminary estimates show that viewership for the first night of the Democrats’ virtual convention was down compared with the opening of Hillary Clinton’s nominating party four years ago.

An estimated 18.7 million people watched coverage between 10 and 11 p.m. on ABC, CBS, NBC, CNN, Fox News Channel and MSNBC, the Nielsen company said. Four years ago, opening night drew just under 26 million viewers.

Nielsen’s preliminary numbers did not include streaming or networks like PBS and CSPAN; a more comprehensive estimate is due later Tuesday.

MSNBC and CNN, which aired the Democrats’ two-hour prepared telecast essentially in its entirety, were rewarded with the biggest audiences.

MSNBC had 5.1 million viewers and CNN had 4.78 million, roughly twice what the broadcast networks reached.

The numbers are not final but don’t expect a big rush from PBS or CSPAN.

So what went wrong? My impression is that the speeches were boring and so predictable.  In other words, did you need to watch Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez to know that the lady hates the country?  

Then there was that great call for abolishing the police and ICE.  That’s a great message for the people in the inner cities devatasted by riots and looting.

This is not your dad’s Democratic Party or so they say.  It is more true this year than ever.

P.S.  You can listen to my show (Canto Talk) and follow me on Twitter.