2000 Republican National Convention

The 2000 National Convention of the Republican Party of the United States convened at the First Union Center (now the Wells Fargo Center) in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, from July 31 to August 3, 2000. The 2066 delegates assembled at the convention nominated Texas Governor George W. Bush as the Republican candidate for U.S. President and former U.S. Secretary of Defense Richard B. "Dick" Cheney for Vice President.

Political context

Bush, eldest son of the 41st president, was identified early as the party establishment's frontrunner and turned back a strong primary challenge from John McCain, a Vietnam War veteran and U.S. Senator from Arizona. At the convention, the party and campaign sought to showcase Bush's slogan of compassionate conservatism to persuade undecided voters.

Bush's acceptance speech

Bush attacked the eight years of the Clinton-Gore Administration as weak on defense and military topics, high taxes, underperforming schools and laid-back teachers, high pollution, and a "lack of dignity and respect to the Presidency". He quoted by attacking the Clinton-Gore Administration on numerous topics, especially on the military, quoting that the troops in harm's way would "not be ready for duty, sir", and as saying "They had their chance. They have not led. We will".

Roll call vote

Instead of holding the roll call of states on one night, the Bush campaign arranged for the voting to take place over four nights, so that Bush...
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