My sense is is that having the convention second gives the GOP an advantage. However, I also think if they try to make their convention "all 9/11, all the time," this will backfire.
In terms of convention dating, this seems to me to be a fundamental problem in American politics. What is to stop the Democrats from holding their convention in October in 2008? And so on. It seems to me that the conventions should be held at the same time, so as not to give either party an undue advantage.
As for the choice of New York around 9/11, I do think this has potential to backfire. I think it just reeks so much of playing politics with 9/11, which IMO is one of the reasons Bush's support has steadily eroded since the attacks, particularly in the last month or two. I'm not sure about the effect the 9/11 commission and other potential revalations will have, but my sense is is that they will not be the bombshells some people seem to expect. Nevertheless, I think the politics Rove is playing with the convention is exactly the kind of thing/area Rove does not do well.
BTW, when is the Democratic convention?
Ben P