If at a conservative convention, there were some individuals hawking DVDs that purported to "prove" Bill Clinton was a murdering drug smuggler who personally funded al-Queda, sold target posters with pics of doctors who perform abortions, gave speeches (to standing ovations) denouncing evolution, and proclaimed that returning to the gold standard is the key to prosperity (while denouncing international bankers and the Trilateral Commission), we'd all know they were just kooks who have nothing to do with conservatism as a philosophy and a contemporary American political movement. Certainly, GOP politicians pay no attention to such cretins.

On the other hand, at a Leftist gathering, when you see people selling DVDs arguing that Bush was behind 9-11, wearing Che t-shirts made of hemp, and demanding the nationalization of industry, we understand that they not only are a serious part of The Left, but in fact, are the leading intellectual force within it. Other conference figures like Wes Clark and Mark Warner may try to hide the fact that they are Chavez-worshipping, America-hating crypto-communists, but given the intellectual cohesiveness and lurking power of the Left, any politician who associates with them must themselves support the Agenda of the Left. Look hard enough in Vegas, and you'll find the hidden room where what appear to be moderate panelists receive their instructions from ANSWER and Ward Churchill.