Although you couldn’t tell if you were watching the three major TV networks, the recent political conventions provided many hours of marvelous political theater and some very poignant moments. If you’ve been reading my monthly newsletters, you know that I have a particular professional fascination with mythology, symbolism and coded messages that may or may not be part of a televised event.

So imagine my delight when the New York Times and Associated Press ran a feature article on just this perspective. Perhaps the best line I heard was: “To call the convention ‘manipulative’ is to call Marcel Marceau ‘a little quiet’.” I wish I knew who said it.

But if you’ve been following the conventions, or following the coverage of the conventions, you know that this year’s versions were the most tightly scripted ever. Apparently the thinking behind that is, whichever party can run a smoother convention will be able to run the country better.

Unfortunately, that’s a flawed hypothesis. (If you happened to be watching CNN at the end of John Kerry’s speech, you know what I mean.). I had just switched over from C-SPAN (which was the only unfiltered “live” access to the events on stage) in time to see the beginning of the balloon drop. I heard the “balloon manager” giving audible directions, but very quickly intuited that his live feed was not supposed to go over the airwaves.

And sure enough, just like a train wreck that you see coming but can do nothing to avoid, I was ready with pen in hand when he uttered his immortal lines: “What’s happening ... balloons? There’s not enough coming down! All balloons—what the hell!” (and then of course came the phrase that will go down in “great moments in convention history” which quite naturally included the f-word). It was truly a classic moment. in live television ... and exactly why the organizers didn’t want it live.

Some pundits wondered whether Republican operatives had jammed the release mechanism. Who knows? Why did the CNN producer allow the situation to continue to be broadcast? As the drama was unfolding, I knew I was watching “living history.” If you saw it, you undoubtedly felt the same delicious thrill, too.

As you might expect, I was interested in the choice of recorded songs that were played over the PA system, as well as the songs the live house band played. Surprisingly, the Republicans had a hotter band, especially when they played classic R&B hits like “Mustang Sally.”

Being held in New York, I was not surprised to hear so many Broadway medleys, but there were lots of surprises by some of the pop tunes, the Christian rock, and of course, the country and gospel. Kudos to the music producers for both conventions.

What you might not expect is that my personal interest was not just professional, but autobiographical. In 1968, while I attended the University of Buffalo, I was the leader of the house band that played at political rallies. Years later, Lama Surya Das told me that he was in the audience, which helped plant the seed for the Tibetan/hip-hop album that we collaborated on thirty years later: Chants to Awaken the Buddhist Heart.

I had another very personal connection which caught me totally by surprise as I watched the Monday night speakers. I almost fell out of my chair when my first theatrics coach delivered a passionate speech and was an articulate presence with Joe Scarborough and other pundits. It was deja-vu all over again when Ron Silver took center stage! He was already a legend at the University of Buffalo when I arrived in 1965, and there was no doubt that he was an extraordinarily multi-talented individual.

Conventional Wisdom

For both parties, the image that came across on TV was of paramount importance. That’s why no image was left to chance. According to reports, Bush’s team was hyperaware of every image it sent out, and the subconscious, even subliminal, symbolism that accompanies each image.

“We assume that every images says something, everything communicates”, said Mark McKinnon, Bush’s chief media adviser, who oversaw the convention plans. Sometimes the networks would try to select shots other than what the campaign wanted, and that made for some interesting gamesmanship.

Some observers decried the fact that the events were more like an infomercial than a politically meaningful and enlightening occasion. But hey, it’s political theater, after all. So I shifted my perspective, and enjoyed the show.

Rhythm Entrainment and Podium Power

The most soul-stirring speech I heard was delivered by Reverend Al Sharpton. He was also the only speaker to ad-lib, and deviate quite extensively from his approved script, which makes his performance even more extraordinary.

Again, this analysis is not focused on the words (though they were inspired) but on his masterful use of rhythm, repetition, rhyme ... and silence. It’s no accident that his church training, as with gospel singers, contributed significantly to his en-trancing presentation.

Other speakers who worked this medium well were Rudy Giuliani, Barak Obama and John Edwards. Perhaps the least effective was, unfortunately for getting his message out, John Kerry himself. He seemed uncomfortable with leaving any space or pause for applause, and sped through his lengthy speech in a way that made it hard for his audience to hear, resonate and remember—much less be affected by—what he said.

I’ll take this moment to add my voice to Bruce Springsteen, P.Diddy, Bono and all the other musicians and campaign workers who are getting voters motivated and registered. Perhaps more than ever before, our votes count. We need to participate in the process that defines our democracy. To simplify, many folks are setting themselves up with absentee ballots.

And finally, to all those who have been affected by the hurricanes, our hearts and prayers go out to you. I’ve already heard from several friends who lost many of their belongings, including their CDs. If you’re one of them, please contact me at AskDrSound@innerpeacemusic.com and I’ll do my best to replace any Inner Peace CDs that you had.

Until next time, I wish you well.

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Steven Halpern is celebrating his thirtieth anniversary as a visionary composer, recording artist and pioneering sound healer. He has just released the multi-cultural Healing Songs of Earth & Sky with Chief Sonne Reyna, currently featured at your local Borders store. His next release is Tonal Alchemy, featuring Baba Sri Siva chanting OM. This CD is exclusively available from www.stevenhalpern.com.

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