The GOP's Funeral Convention

Politico brings us the news that many Republicans aren't planning on attending their convention this year. Why?

"Nobody likes a funeral," said a Senate Republican press secretary who spoke on the condition of anonymity, citing "the overall climate of general malaise about the party" as the reason for hesitance on the part of Republicans.

And then there's this -- they're being told not to attend:

On the House side, according to a report in The Hill, during a July 31 conference call National Republican Campaign Committee Chairman Tom Cole of Oklahoma discouraged congressional hopefuls from attending, saying that doing so would potentially be a "waste of time."

Unusual advice from a Republican leader.

Oh and St. Paul is too far out of the way. Really, it's not convenient like NYC or Philly.

Many GOP lobbyists also have decided the convention isn't worth the trip -- despite the seemingly limitless networking and schmoozing opportunities -- in part because of logistics and location.

That darn flyover country just isn't interesting enough and it's too hard to get to.

Losers.