The Republican National Convention
SEPTEMBER 1 - 4: THE REPUBLICAN CONVENTION
The Democrats received a major post-convention and the pressure was on for the Republicans who hoped to make a comeback. Unemployment was at 6.6%, but the Republicans were confident the fact they’d balanced every federal budget since Dole took office would give them a major edge over the Democrats. On the first night of the convention Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee (R-AR) was the first to speak. Appealing to fiscal conservatives and Reagan Republicans, Huckabee convinced the country that the country was indeed better off than it was eight years ago. “We’ve always balanced budgets. We’ve always proved ourselves capable…and we always WILL prove ourselves capable!” When Huckabee was done, CEOs Carly Fiorina and Meg Whitman also addressed the convention praising the work done by President Dole in securing America as an economic powerhouse. Next to speak was Rick Santorum, Vice President of the United States. Santorum’s speech touched on the importance of unifying a divided party. Praising Thune for his work in the Senate, the Vice President concluded his speech by saying, “It is time for a younger generation to take the reins and John Thune, our next President, is ready and able to take those reins!” Santorum’s speech was greeted with a warm reception as the convention braced for the address of President Elizabeth Dole. Dole’s endorsement helped bring an end to what could’ve been a bitter primary battle but now it was time to hear from the President of the United States.
As the announcer boomed, “AND NOW: ELIZABETH HANFORD DOLE!” The convention hall gradually roared in to a booming crowd. “LID-DY, LID-DY, LID-DY” rang throughout the delegates at home as they waved signs with “DOLE” written on them. When the President reached the podium it took fifteen minutes before the convention hall would let her speak, but when she could she began, “Thank you! Thank you for the opportunity to serve you these last eight years…” and immediately chants of “FOUR MORE YEARS!” rang throughout the hall. Laughing, Liddy quipped, “I think Bob would shoot me if I took on another four years,” and the convention burst in to laughter and wild applause. Dole’s speech was an outline of her administration and talked about all that she’d accomplished, from social security to mortgage relief, to a balanced budget every year. She then moved to how John Thune would continue her legacy. “There’s a lot of work left, my friends,” the President said, “but if we stop now with the election of another Clinton we’re just asking to get ourselves into trouble! We’re just asking to return our country’s to the same problems I inherited! Learn from your mistakes, my fellow Americans!” By the end of her speech, which lasted 39 minutes, the President was joined by Bob Dole as they waved and confetti and balloons fell upon them. It was obvious that an era had reached its end.
When the Doles left it marked the end of Night 1 and it was time to move forward with the convention. On the second day Senator Mitt Romney, who led Deval Patrick by 0.8% in the latest polls, addressed the convention. Striking a moderate chord and enthusiastically supporting Thune, Romney set the stage for a reelection to the senate and a possible 2012 run for the nomination. When Romney was finished former Mayor of New York City, Rudy Giuliani, approached the podium to give an address on national defense. The mayor of New York when the 9/11 attacks occurred, Giuliani was seen as a national hero. He worked hard to convince voters that combined, McCain and Thune had the national security background necessary to move the country forward. Next to speak at the Republican event was Secretary of State Dan Quayle who spoke on the country’s need to expand drilling here in the United States as well as the importance of working with foreign officials. Defending the record of Elizabeth Dole, Quayle was successful in ending rumors that Thune was “too soft” when it came to foreign issues, but assured Republicans he would be a competent Commander-in-Chief. Finally, the last speech of the night, went to the Keynote Speaker: Governor Sarah Palin of Alaska.
Sarah’s speech was a decision made by John Thune, despite the advice of several of his closest advisers. Nonetheless the young, attractive, charismatic governor spoke about the importance of fighting corruption and strengthening ethics reform in the United States. Introducing her story – a story of fighting corruption in her own party and reforming Alaska – Palin appealed to many independent voters who felt that increased ethic violations by Republicans and Democrats had haunted the U.S. Congress for too long. Furthermore Palin’s speech touched on the issue of drilling, the economy, and foreign policy. Her speech last 34 minutes and was interrupted almost 20 times with applause. The speech showed that Palin was a rising star in the Republican Party, but Thune didn’t regret not choosing her: he needed experience and with McCain that was just what he got. At the end of the day Palin had stolen the show and it was time to move on to the third day of the convention.
When delegates assembled on the third day of the convention Senator George W. Bush of Texas kicked off the night. Having given the keynote address four years prior and now he was addressing the convention in a last-ditch attempt to unite the conservatives and moderates to ensure victory for Senators Thune and McCain. McCain had endorsed Bush in the primaries and this evening Bush had nothing but praise for Senator McCain who’s record could “not be matched by anyone the Democrats could dream of nominating!” Bush did a lot to assure party members that McCain would represent them well on the national ticket. After Bush, House Majority Leader John Boehner (who would become Speaker in 2009 if Democrats didn’t take the majority), addressed the convention. Convincing party members that he would do everything in his power to keep a Republican majority, his speech was aimed at outlining the numerous accomplishments of the Republican congress and was a speech more aimed at protecting a congressional majority than keeping the White House red. When Boehner left Cindy McCain approached the podium to introduce her husband, Senator John McCain, to the delegates below.
As McCain approached the podium the delegates were ecstatic on the outside, but inside they wondered if McCain could handle the pressure of a grueling national campaign and many were uncertain as to whether or not Thune had made the right choice. McCain began his speech by outlining what he’d done in the senate, including his major accomplishment: the MFMRA bill – a bill that had successfully prevented a potentially fatal blow to the economy. He went on by praising President Dole, “When I ran for President in 2000 I had no idea how good of a job Liddy Dole would do. President Dole has left big shoes for John Thune to follow in, but I know he can do it!” McCain continued by criticizing the experience of Governor Blagojevich, “What exactly has Rod done? Well, friends, the jury’s still out!” Hammering Clinton for HillaryCare, McCain participated in some of the biggest and most energetic rhetoric of the night, “Well my friends we already had a Clinton co-Presidency and I don’t think we need another Clinton/Clinton Administration! If we elect Hillary Clinton we’re asking for socialized medicine. We’re asking for inexperience and uncertainty!” When McCain was done, Senator Thune joined him on the stage of the convention, waving to the delegates below as the energetic crowd waited for the highly-anticipated address of the South Dakota Senator in roughly 24 hours.
When the final day of the convention began on September 4th, Tim Pawlenty addressed a friendly audience, talking about Senator Thune’s dedication to the American people and the American dream. The next to speak was Congresswoman Michele Bachmann, mother of over 20 foster children, who talked about the importance of family values. Outlining Thune’s position on the protection of life and liberty, she was well-received by the audience below. After Bachmann’s address Newt Gingrich approached the podium and addressed the convention. In an attempt to reinvigorate Republicans, Gingrich promised that 2008 would be a “big Republican year” and that “the work isn’t over” when it came to advancing conservative causes. By the time Gingrich’s speech was over the wife of Senator John Thune appeared in front of the delegates and cameras to introduce her husband, Senator John Thune. Finally her husband came to the podium to ten solid minutes of applause and when he was able to begin, the Senator spoke eloquently.
“This election – Election 2008 – is the biggest and the most important election our country has ever faced! We’ve seen so much progress since January 20, 2001, and it is important that we continue that success and progress by continuing to elect a conservative Republican to the White House. We need someone who is committed to making this country better. We need someone with a clear vision for the road our country must take. And – my friends – and we need a President who will dedicate the next eight years of his or her life to making this country the greatest in the world!” Thune’s speech was inspiring and as he concluded he brought some in the floor to tears, “…and the work will go on! We must end this partisan bickering. We must end this continued denial of the American people! We MUST defend the American dream. It is not a Republican’s job…or a Democrat’s job…it’s the job of every American! So I ask you to be with me in doing our part to ensure this country has a brighter future!” Thune’s address was almost poetic and was viewed by 2 million more people than Hillary Clinton’s address. When the night was over Thune and McCain waved to the crowd and the Republican convention was now over.
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