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Template:Infobox National Political Convention
The 2004 Republican National Convention took place from August 30 to September 2, 2004, at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York. The convention is one of a series of historic quadrennial meetings at which the Republican candidates for president and vice president, and party platform are formally adopted. Attendance included 2,509 delegates and 2,344 alternate delegates from the states, territories and the District of Columbia. The convention marked the formal end of the active primary election season. Template:As of, it is the most recent major-party nominating convention, as well as the only Republican National Convention, to be held in New York City.
The theme of the convention was "Fulfilling America's Promise by Building a Safer World and a More Hopeful America." Defining moments of the 2004 Republican National Convention include a featured keynote address by Zell Miller and the confirmation of the nomination of President George W. Bush and Vice President Dick Cheney for reelection. Bush and Cheney went on to defeat the Democratic Party's ticket of John Kerry and John Edwards in the 2004 presidential election.
PlatformEdit
Apart from nominating a candidate for president and vice president, the 2004 Republican National Convention was also charged with crafting an official party platform and political agenda for the next four years. At the helm of the Platform Committee was United States Senator and Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist of Tennessee, Congresswoman Melissa Hart of Pennsylvania and Colorado Governor Bill Owens. The committee worked with the Bush campaign to develop the draft platform.
The platform adopted by the 2004 Republican National Convention was the longest in the party's history compared to the mere 1,000-word platform adopted at the first convention in 1856. At 48,000 words, it was twice the length of the one adopted at the 2004 Democratic National Convention which was only 19,500 words.
VenueEdit
The choice of Madison Square Garden on January 31, 2003, by all 165 members of the Republican National Committee as the venue for the 2004 Republican National Convention meant that New York City would host a major Republican nominating convention for the first time in its history. On July 19, control of Madison Square Garden was officially handed over to the Republican Party under the administration of Chief Executive Officer of the Convention, Bill Harris. Mayor Michael Bloomberg thanked the party for their choice, for which he had vigorously lobbied, noting it as a significant display of support for the city and an economic boom.
Until Chicago, Illinois was selected as the host of the 2024 Democratic National Convention, 2004 was the last time that for either major party that they chose to hold their convention in a state that was not considered to be a swing state (the Democrats held their 2004 convention in Boston, Massachusetts).<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
SecurityEdit
Like the 2004 Democratic National Convention in Boston, Massachusetts, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) officially declared the 2004 Republican National Convention a National Special Security Event (NSSE). As such, the United States Secret Service was charged with employing and coordinating all federal and local agencies including the various bureaus of DHS, the FBI, and the NYPD to secure the venue from terrorist attacks. Expected security expenditures reached $70 million, $50 million of which was funded by the federal government.
The city employed an active beat of 10,000 police officers deployed as Hercules teams—uniformed in full riot gear and body armor, and equipped with submachine guns and rifles. Commuter and Amtrak trains entering and exiting Penn Station were scoured by bomb-sniffing dogs as uniformed police officers were attached to buses carrying delegates. All employees of buildings surrounding Madison Square Garden were subjected to thorough screening and background checks.
The NYPD infiltrated and compiled dossiers on protest groups (most of whom were doing nothing illegal), leading to over 1,800 arrests and subsequent fingerprinting.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
TimingEdit
The convention took place in New York City a week before the third anniversary of September 11. The attacks were a primary theme of the convention, from the choice of speakers to repeated invocations of the attacks. At the convention, there was a performance of "Amazing Grace" by Daniel Rodriguez, a tribute to those killed on September 11. Relatives of three of the victims spoke and talked about how September 11 brought the country together. Also contributing musically were Brooks & Dunn, Sara Evans, Lee Ann Womack, Darryl Worley.
SpeakersEdit
Early in the summer leading up to the 2004 Republican National Convention, Republican National Committee Chairman Ed Gillespie announced the first slate of convention speakers. He added, "It is an honor to announce the addition of these outstanding Americans to the 2004 Republican National Convention program. For the past three and a half years, President Bush has led with strength and compassion and these speakers reflect that." Chief Executive Officer of the Convention Bill Harris commented, "These speakers have seen President Bush's strong, steady leadership and each will attest to his character from a unique perspective. Their vast experience and various points of view are a testament to the depth and breadth of the support for the Republican ticket in 2004."
Zell MillerEdit
Considered to be one of the most interesting choices for speakers at the convention was a keynote address by Georgia Senator Zell Miller, a conservative Democrat. Miller had consistently voted with Republicans. In an editorial in The Wall Street Journal, Miller cited that the reason for his defection was that, "I barely recognize my party anymore." He continued, "Today, it's the Democratic Party that has mastered the art of division and diversion. To run for president as a Democrat these days you have to go from interest group to interest group, cap in hand, asking for the support of liberal kingmakers." He finished by saying, "I still believe in hope and opportunity and, when it comes right down to it, Mr. Bush is the man who represents hope and opportunity."
His keynote address was a visceral smite to Democrats and an excoriating attack on John Kerry, blaming him for the divisions in America. Notably, he mocked Kerry's call for strength in the armed forces by noting several important military projects that Kerry had opposed, saying that Kerry wanted "forces armed with what - spitballs?" Including Senator Edward Kennedy of Massachusetts, he claimed "no pair has been more wrong, more loudly, more often, than the two senators from Massachusetts: Ted Kennedy and John Kerry."
In his speech, Miller also heaped his praise for 1940 Republican presidential nominee Wendell Willkie for supporting President Roosevelt's establishment of a military draft, raising concerns about the intentions of President Bush in this area.
Zell Miller also delivered the keynote address on behalf of Bill Clinton in 1992 at Madison Square Garden. He remained a Democrat in the Senate until leaving in 2005 (he was not running for reelection). However, after this address, his affiliation with the national Democratic Party was unquestionably over.
Tribute to Ronald ReaganEdit
Template:More citations needed Former president Ronald Reagan, under whom Bush's father had served as vice president, passed away the previous June after suffering from Alzheimer's disease for nearly a decade. Nancy Reagan's spokesperson announced that the former First Lady fully supported President Bush for the general election. The spokesperson added that while the former First Lady and her children would be absent from the 2004 Republican National Convention, President Reagan's son with Jane Wyman, Michael Reagan, had accepted an invitation to address the delegates. Nancy Reagan appeared in the filmed tribute he introduced. He dedicated the film to everyone who helped make his father president of the United States.
During the convention, delegates paid tribute to Reagan in different ways. Many of the speakers from California and Illinois, including House Speaker Dennis Hastert, mentioned Reagan in their speeches and compared Reagan to Bush. Those from Illinois, including Hastert, compared Bush to both Reagan and Abraham Lincoln, another native son of their state.
ChairpeopleEdit
| Name | Position/Notability | |
|---|---|---|
| File:Dennis Hastert 109th pictorial photo.jpg | Dennis Hastert | 51st Speaker of the United States House of Representatives (1999-2007)
Leader of the House Republican Conference (1999-2007) U.S. Congressman from IL-14 (1987-2007) |
| File:Linda Lingle navy 1-cropped.jpg | Linda Lingle | 6th Governor of Hawaii (2002-2010) |
| Several deputy co-chairs were named as a ceremonial honor | ||
Day one: Monday, August 30, 2004Edit
Principal speakersEdit
| Name | Position/Notability | |
|---|---|---|
| File:Mayor Michael Bloomberg (cropped).jpg | Michael Bloomberg | 108th Mayor of New York City (2001-2013) |
| File:Rudygiuliani1.JPG | Rudy Guiliani | 107th Mayor of New York City (1994-2001) |
| File:John McCain official photo portrait-cropped.JPG | John McCain | U.S. Senator of Arizona (1987-2018) |
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Featured speakersEdit
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QuotationsEdit
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Day two: Tuesday, August 31, 2004Edit
Principal speakersEdit
| Name | Position/Notability | |
|---|---|---|
| File:Laura Bush portrait.jpg | Laura Bush | First Lady of the United States (2001-2009) |
| File:Rod Paige (1).jpg | Rod Paige | 7th United States Secretary of Education (2001-2005) |
| File:A. Schwarzenegger (3x4a).jpg | Arnold Schwarzenegger | 38th Governor of California (2003-2011) |
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Featured speakersEdit
| Name | Position/Notability | |
|---|---|---|
| File:Sam Brownback official portrait.jpg | Sam Brownback | U.S. Senator of Kansas (1996-2011) |
| File:George P Bush cropped from Bush family.jpg | George P. Bush | Son of Governor Jeb Bush of Florida
Nephew of George W. Bush |
| File:NormColemanCrop2.jpg | Norm Coleman | U.S. Senator of Minnesota (2003-2009) |
| File:Elizabeth Dole official photo.jpg | Elizabeth Dole | U.S. Senator of North Carolina (2003-2009)
20th U.S. Secretary of Labor (1989-1990) 8th U.S. Secretary of Transportation (1983-1987) Wife of Bob Dole |
| File:Bill Frist official photo (cropped).jpg | Bill Frist | U.S. Senator from Tennessee (1995-2007)
Senate Majority Leader (2003-2007) |
| File:Miss America 2002 Erika Harold.jpg | Erika Harold | Miss Illinois 2002 |
| File:Anne Northup, official 109th Congress photo.jpg | Anne Northup | U.S. Congresswoman from KY-03 (1997-2007) |
| File:Michael Steele presenting award to USNS Comfort crew.jpg | Michael S. Steele | 7th Lieutenant Governor of Maryland (2003-2007) |
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QuotationsEdit
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Day three: Wednesday, September 1, 2004Edit
BallotingEdit
President Bush was nominated at the end of a "rolling roll call" that had started the day before, when Pennsylvania's delegation cast the deciding votes.<ref>Republican Convention Officially Nominates President Bush for Second Term. August 31, 2004.</ref>
| Republican National Convention presidential vote, 2004<ref name="TGP">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation | CitationClass=web
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|---|---|---|---|
| Candidate | Votes | Percentage | |
| George W. Bush | 2,508 | 99.96% | |
| Abstentions | 1 | 0.04% | |
| Totals | 2,509 | 100.00% | |
Principal speakersEdit
| Name | Position/Notability | |
|---|---|---|
| File:Lynne Cheney official photo.jpg | Lynne Cheney | Second Lady of the United States (2001-2009)
Wife of Dick Cheney |
| File:46 Dick Cheney 3x4.jpg | Dick Cheney | 46th Vice President of the United States (2001-2009)
(Vice presidential nominee) |
| File:Zell B Miller (cropped).jpg | Zell Miller | U.S. Senator from Georgia (Democratic) |
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Featured speakersEdit
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QuotationsEdit
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Thursday, September 2, 2004Edit
BallotingEdit
Vice President Dick Cheney was nominated by voice vote for reelection.
Principal speakersEdit
| Name | Position/Notability | |
|---|---|---|
| File:George Pataki 2004 (cropped).jpg | George Pataki | 53rd Governor of New York (1995-2006) |
| File:George-W-Bush (crop).jpg | George W. Bush | 43rd President of the United States (2001-2009)
(Presidential nominee) |
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Featured speakersEdit
| Name | Position/Notability | |
|---|---|---|
| File:EdwardEgan Cardinal NY (cropped).jpg | Edward Egan | Roman Catholic Cardinal Archbishop of New York (2000-2009) |
| File:Gen. Tommy Franks CENTCOM.jpg | Tommy Franks | Former Commander of the United States Central Command (2000-2003) |
| File:Dorothy Hamil 2001.jpg | Dorothy Hamill | Gold medal olympic figure skater (1976) |
| File:Michael L Williams-headshot.jpg | Michael L. Williams | Railroad Commissioner of Texas (1999-2011)
Assistant Secretary of Education for the Office for Civil Rights (1990-1993) |
| File:Mel Martinez.jpg | Mel Martínez | 12th U.S. Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (2001-2004) |
| File:Lynn Swann official photo (cropped).jpg | Lynn Swann | Member of the President's Council on Fitness, Sports, and Nutrition (2002-2005) |
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QuotationsEdit
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ProtestsEdit
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Protest activity included marches, rallies, performances, demonstrations, exhibits, and acts of civil disobedience in New York City to protest the 2004 Republican National Convention and the nomination of President George W. Bush for the 2004 U.S. presidential election, as well as a much smaller number of people who marched to support Bush at the convention.
On May 17, 2006 Amy Goodman, host of Democracy Now! reported on the FBI launch of a criminal civil rights investigation of NYPD<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> after Desert storm veteran Dennis Kyne went to trial and had all charges dropped due to video evidence showing the police falsified reports and sworn testimony.
See alsoEdit
- List of Republican National Conventions
- 2004 Republican National Convention protest activity
- 2004 Republican Party presidential primaries
- George W. Bush 2004 presidential campaign
- 2004 Democratic National Convention
- United States presidential nominating convention
- 2004 United States presidential election
ReferencesEdit
External linksEdit
- George W. Bush's nomination acceptance speech for President at RNC (transcript) at The American Presidency Project
- Republican Party platform of 2004 at The American Presidency Project
- Full text of selected speeches (archived)
- Photos and Videos From Inside New York's Pier 57 Detention Center (archived)
- Complete text and audio of Zell Miller's RNC Address AmericanRhetoric.com
- List of members from various state delegations to convention
- Intelligence documents compiled by NYPD about the protests
- Video of Bush nomination acceptance speech for President at RNC (via YouTube)
- Audio of Bush nomination acceptance speech for President at RNCTemplate:Dead link
- Video of Cheney nomination acceptance speech for Vice President at RNC (via YouTube)
- Audio of Cheney nomination acceptance speech for Vice President at RNCTemplate:Dead link
- Transcript of Cheney nomination acceptance speech for Vice President at RNC
| Preceded by {{#if:2000 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania|2000 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania|—}} |
Republican National Conventions{{#if:| {{{curr}}}}} |
Succeeded by {{#if:2008 St. Paul, Minnesota|2008 St. Paul, Minnesota|—}} |
Template:2004 U.S. presidential election Template:Republican National Convention Template:George W. Bush Template:Authority control