Star power dim at the Garden

Ellis Henican

August 29, 2004

It's not the trade deficit that ought to be worrying Republicans.

It's not even the budget deficit or the jobs deficit.

All those deficits are serious enough - and important to the future of the nation. But honestly, this is a time of politics. None of that is going to tip this election.

But there's another deficit, growing more severe by the day, that Republicans ignore at their peril. I'm talking about the eye-popping celebrity deficit.

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The star gap. The gaping chasm between Democratic and Republican celebs.

Have you seen what passes for "star-studded" at the Republican National Convention this year?

Country crooner Darryl Worley!

Atlanta-based rock band Dexter Freebish!

Latin gospel singer Jaci Velasquez!

Christian rock group Third Day!

These are the performers the Grand Ol' Party is putting up on the stage at Madison Square Garden to entertain the 2004 delegates. Not since the "Joe Franklin Show" went off the air has New York seen such an assemblage of not-quite-household names.

For all we know, they may be as big as Elvis in Tulsa or Grand Forks or Little Rock. But their names are a million miles from boldface around here.

These Republican celebrities are all fine and talented performers, I am sure. No disrespect to any of them. But let's be honest here. We're a long way from Bruce Springsteen here, and I'll tell you how I know.

When you put these peoples' names in the paper, you have to add a little descriptive phrase in front of each of them.

"Christian singer Gracie Rosenberger."

"Country duo Brooks & Dunn."

Otherwise, lots of readers wouldn't have a clue who you were talking about.

You'll notice, a few paragraphs up, I didn't have to write "New Jersey-born rock singer and band leader Bruce Springsteen, who this fall will be leading a cross-country tour of other Democratic-leaning musicians."

The name alone was enough. Actually I didn't even need to say "Bruce." "Springsteen" would have done it. Or even "the Boss."

Now that's star power!