So after a day of swirling rumors, it’s official: Obama’s speech is being moved from the Bank of America Stadium to the Time Warner Cable Arena, where tonight and last night’s festivities were held at.

The Arena has a capacity of 20,000 people; the Stadium had a capacity of 74,000. Republicans had, within minutes, jumped on it as proof that the President lacked the ability to fill such a large venue–and, given the fact that there is a low, low chance of rain tomorrow night, that claim is sure to undercut Obama supporters’ confidence in their leader. Regardless of the veracity of the accusation–which I’m sure none of its proponenets really beleive–the mere assertion is enough to plant seeds of doubt.

It’s reminiscent of the anecdote about Lyndon Johnson: in an early congressional race, Johnson learned that he was falling behind his opponent in the polls. “Here’s what we’re gonna do,” he’s rumored to have said to his campaign manager. “Spread a massive rumor that our opponent enjoys carnal relations with his farm animals.” “But, we can’t just call him a pig fucker!” his aid responded. “Yes, but let’s make the son-of-a-bitch deny it” Johnson said. And, well, the rest is history (some paraphrasing here from Hunter S. Thompson’s coverage of the campaign trail.”

The point is, it doesn’t really matter how true the claim is; what matters is the “what if….” factor. Obama probably isn’t moving the speech out of fear, but if he is, well….

And his aides seem to have, however unconsciously, played into those fears, going out of their way to tell the press that “The enthusiasm for this convention and this president has been overwhelming, and we were not expecting to have any empty seats” (Boston Globe).

The very need to move the venue because of weather points to a bigger question for both parties: who’s idea was it to plan the highlight of the Convention–or the entire Convention, for the GOP– in a location so vulnerable to unpredictable conditions. Who’s idea was it, and when can I have their job. You don’t build a bonfire in a goddam library; and you don’t plan a convention in an favorite oasis for hurricanes during hurricane season. It’s simple stuff, guys.