The Republican National Convention (RNC) came to a close Sept. 2 on a night highlighted by President George W. Bush’s acceptance speech, which kicked off the home stretch of his re-election campaign.
“The freedom of many, and the future of security of our nation, now depend on us,” Bush said, capturing the essence of the convention. “Tonight, my fellow Americans, I ask you to stand with me.”
…Throughout the convention other prominent speakers, including Vice President Dick Cheney, Senator Zell Miller (D – Ga.), New York Governor George Pataki, former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani, and California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, addressed issues such as national security in the post-9/11 world, education, the economy and taxes
Many speakers focused on the war on terrorism, and defended Bush’s decision to go to war in Iraq.
…”President Bush understands we can’t just wait for the next attack,” Pataki said the last night of the convention. “We have to go after them, in their training camps, in their hiding places, in their spider holes, before they have the chance to attack us again.”
Bush also defended his choice to go to war in his acceptance speech, calling it “a decision no president would ask for, but must be prepared to make.”
Speakers also attempted to highlight the differences between Bush and his opponent, Senator John Kerry (D – Mass.), and attacked Kerry’s voting record, inciting chants of “flip-flop” from the audience of delegates.
“Kerry does not seem to understand the first obligation of a Commander-in-Chief, and that is to support American troops in combat,” Cheney said, referring to Kerry’s vote against the bill appropriating $87 billion for military operations in Afghanistan and Iraq.
Miller accused Kerry of being “motivated more by partisan politics than national security” in his keynote address. Pataki called Kerry “a candidate who has to Google his own name to find out where he stands.”
…Schwarzenegger made his own attempt at humor, calling the Democratic National Convention in Boston full of “true lies” (in reference to a 1994 action film in which the actor-turned-governor starred).
…Officials said the convention ran smoothly and reported that the security was effective and the protests peaceful. Over 1,700 protesters were still arrested, according to CBS.
“New York City passed this one with flying colors,” said New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg.
…Guilford senior Mark Davis also praised the RNC.
…”Bush showed he can be a great leader, clearly laid out his plans for the next four years, and what his goals are,” Davis, a Bush supporter, said.
…Gallup polls showed the predicted post-convention bounce for Bush, who now leads Kerry by seven points among undecided voters. Kerry and his running mate, Senator John Edwards (D – N.C.), wasted no time mobilizing their supporters in an attempt to curb Bush’s bounce: their midnight rally in Springfield, Ohio, began mere minutes after the conclusion of Bush’s acceptance speech.z
This article is part of a weekly series about the upcoming presidential election.