2004 Republican National Convention

Speakers

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 Miller

Considered to be one of the most interesting choices for speakers at the convention is a keynote address by Georgia Senator Zell Miller, a conservative Democrat who usually votes with Republicans. In a Wall Street Journal editorial 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."

Related Topics:
Zell Miller - Wall Street Journal

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

His keynote address was 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 Massachusets, he claimed "no two senators have been more wrong, more loudly, and more often than the two from Massachusetts!"

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

His speech also praised 1940 Republican Presidential nominee Wendell Wilkie 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.

Related Topics:
Bill Clinton - 1992

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

No Nancy Reagan

Absent from the slate of speakers was one of the most respected Republican elders and wife of the late President Ronald Reagan, Nancy Reagan. In early August 2004, The New York Daily News and several other newspapers reported that Reagan vehemently declined several invitations to speak at the convention and had voiced her opposition to the use of quotes and images of her late husband, who died earlier in the year. Writers reported that she was disgusted by revelations that the Republican National Committee had produced, during the week of the presidential funeral, advertisements implying President Reagan endorsed Bush for a second term. The Bush campaign and party leaders defended themselves, claiming that they did not seek to exploit President Reagan's memory. Despite the published stories, Nancy Reagan's spokesperson countered with an admission 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.

Related Topics:
Ronald Reagan - Nancy Reagan - August 2004 - The New York Daily News - Republican National Committee - Presidential funeral - Michael Reagan

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

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 great son of their state.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~