2008 Republican National Convention

Infobox National Political Convention
year = 2008
party = Republican

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image_size = 150px
caption = Official Logo of the 2008 Republican National Convention
date = September 1 – September 4, 2008
venue = Xcel Energy Center
city = Saint Paul, Minnesota
presidential_nominee = John McCain
presidential_nominee_state = Arizona
vice_presidential_nominee = Sarah Palin
vice_presidential_nominee_state = AlaskaThe United States 2008 Republican National Convention took place at the Xcel Energy Center in Saint Paul, Minnesota, from September 1, through September 4, 2008.cite web | title =RNC Site Selection Committee To Recommend Minneapolis – St. Paul For 2008 Republican National Convention | publisher =Republican National Committee | date =2006-09-27 | url =http://www.gop.com/News/Read.aspx?ID=6600 | accessdate =2007-06-14 ] The first day of the Republican Party's convention fell on Labor Day, the last day of the popular Minnesota State Fair, though because of Hurricane Gustav, this day was mostly a call for action to help victims and formal, required activities; most of the politicking and partying did not start until Tuesday, the second scheduled day.

This was the latest any major party convention has ever been convened, [cite web | url=http://www.gopconvention.com/about/default.aspx | title=About the 2008 Republican National Convention | publisher= [http://www.gopconvention.com/ 2008 Republican National Convention official website] | accessdate=2008-12-28] and the first one to take place entirely in September. Traditionally, the party who holds the White House has the opportunity to select the date of its convention second, and normally the challenging party holds their convention in July while the incumbent party holds its convention in August. This year, later dates were chosen for both conventions because the parties wanted to schedule their conventions after the 2008 Summer Olympics ended.

The attending delegates at the convention nominated John McCain as the Republican Presidential candidate and Sarah Palin as the Vice-Presidential candidate for the 2008 Presidential election. 1,191 pledged delegates were necessary for a candidate to win the nomination.

peakers

Monday, September 1, 2008

*Scheduled speeches by U.S. President George W. Bush, U.S. Vice-President Dick Cheney and U.S. Senator Joe Lieberman were canceled because of Hurricane Gustav. [ [http://www.asianweek.com/2008/09/03/republican-national-convention-update/ "Republican National Convention Update"] . AsianWeek. Retrieved on 2008-09-03. ] An abbreviated meeting was scheduled for late afternoon to conduct business required under party rules. The remainder of the convention schedule was determined day by day depending on the nature of the storm. [cite news|title=GOP convention schedule for Monday|url=http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5iMgoVuKgYKyihk5DAxOQe6VPw5jAD92THVA00|date=August 31, 2008|publisher=Associated Press via Google|accessdate=2008-08-31]

*Laura Bush, First Lady of the United Statescite news|author=Shear, Michael D.|title=Laura Bush, Cindy McCain to Speak Today|url=http://voices.washingtonpost.com/the-trail/2008/09/01/laura_bush_cindy_mccain_to_spe.html|date=September 1, 2008|publisher=The Washington Post Company|accessdate=2008-09-01]
*Cindy McCain, wife of (then-presumptive) Presidential nominee John McCain

:The two women appeared together and delivered short remarks to encourage support for hurricane relief efforts. [cite news|url=http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/09/01/rnc.gustav/?iref=hpmostpop|title= Laura Bush on Gustav: Americans 'are here to do what we can'|accessdate=2008-09-06|publisher=CNN|date=September 1, 2008]

Tuesday, September 2, 2008

*George W. Bush, President of the United States (via satellite). Because of the events of Hurricane Gustav, President Bush did not attend the convention, but instead delivered his remarks to the delegates via satellite. Bush honored McCain's courage and his maverick reputation, while also stating that McCain is ready to lead. [cite news|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1593965/20080902/story.jhtml|author=Kaufman, Gil|accessdate=2008-09-08|publisher=MTV Networks|date=September 2, 2008|title=President Bush Takes Center Stage On Second Night Of Rebooted Republican National Convention]
*Laura Bush, First Lady of the United States. The First Lady touted McCain's experience and credentials, while talking about her and her husband's achievements in the White House. [cite web|url=http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20222987,00.html|title=Laura Bush Delivers Feisty GOP 'Straight Talk'|accessdate=2008-09-08|work=People|date=September 2, 2008|author=Westfall, Sandra Sobieraj] She introduced President Bush who appeared via satellite.
*Joe Lieberman, Independent Democrat (formerly Democrat) U.S. Senator from Connecticut. Lieberman, who ran for Vice President (as a Democrat) with Democratic Party Presidential nominee, Al Gore in the 2000 presidential election, [cite news|url=http://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/06/us/politics/06ratings.html?ref=politics|title=Conventions, Anything but Dull, Are a TV Hit|accessdate=2008-09-08|work=The New York Times|date=September 5, 2008|author=Rutenberg, Jim and Brian Stelter] praised McCain and argued that Barack Obama, the Democratic Party's Presidential nominee is not ready to be President. [cite news|url=http://www.time.com/time/specials/packages/article/0,28804,1838223_1838222,00.html|title=Joe Lieberman|accessdate=2008-09-08|work=Time|author=Halperin, Mark]
*Fred Thompson, former U.S. Senator from Tennessee. Thompson attacked perceived liberal-media bias, branded Democrats as elitists, and praised (then-presumptive) Vice Presidential nominee, Palin. [cite news|url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/uselection2008/johnmccain/2672130/Fred-Thompson-hails-Sarah-Palin-at-Republican-Convention.html|accessdate=2008-09-08|date=September 3, 2008|author=Harnden, Toby|work=Telegraph|title=Fred Thompson hails Sarah Palin at Republican Convention]
*Norm Coleman, U.S. Senator from Minnesota
*John Boehner, U.S. House of Representative Minority Leader and from Ohio

Wednesday, September 3, 2008

*Rudy Giuliani, former Mayor of New York City, New York. Giuliani questioned Obama's judgment and overall experience. He said, "John [McCain] has been tested. Barack Obama has not. Tough times require strong leadership, and this is no time for on-the-job training." He also said that Obama and Democrats "are in a state of denial" about the threat of terrorism to the U.S.,cite news|title=Losing Candidates Go To Bat For McCain|accessdate=2008-09-08|date=September 3, 2008|url=http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/09/03/politics/main4413918.shtml|publisher=CBS] while McCain can confront and defeat "anything that terrorists do to us". He further said that Obama is without a record of leadership: "He's the least-experienced candidate for President of the United States in at least the last 100 years." The former Mayor praised Palin as "one of the most successful governors in America—and the most popular... She already has more executive experience than the entire Democratic ticket."
*Sarah Palin, Governor of Alaska and (then-presumptive) Vice Presidential nominee. In Palin's speech, she portrayed herself as a reformer and a fighter for change.cite news|url=http://www.latimes.com/news/politics/la-na-ledeall4-2008sep04,0,7127394.story|title=Defiant Sarah Palin comes out swinging|accessdate=2008-09-08|date=September 4, 2008|work=The Los Angeles Times|author=Barabak, Mark Z] She introduced her family and described her life in Alaska, saying she is just "an average hockey mom", while commenting on her recent negative publicity: "Here's a little news flash for all those reporters and commentators: I'm not going to Washington to seek their good opinion. I'm going to Washington to serve the people of this great country." She defended her relative lack of political experience and criticized Obama. Her speech was well received by the convention delegates and media commentators. [cite news|url=http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/09/04/rnc.reportcard.palin/index.html|title=Republican Convention report card: Sarah Palin|accessdate=2008-09-08|publisher=CNN|date=September 4, 2008]
*Mike Huckabee, former Governor of Arkansas. While he commended Obama for clinching his party's nomination, Huckabee said that Obama lacks experience and judgment, especially in foreign policy. He said, "I don't believe his preparation or his plans will lift America up."
*Mitt Romney, former Governor of Massachusetts. Romney commented on Obama's campaign message of change, saying, "We need change all right. Change from a liberal Washington to a conservative Washington. We have a prescription for every American who wants change in Washington—throw out the big-government liberals and elect John McCain." Romney said that Obama "ducked and dodged" when asked about terrorism and Islamic extremism.
*Mitch McConnell, U.S. Senate Minority Leader. McConnell performed the Adoption and Announcement of Vice-Presidential nominee Palin. [cite news|url=http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/26533292/|title=Palin speech is latest in GOP fight with media|accessdate=2008-09-08|date=September 3, 2008|author=Curry, Tom|publisher=MCNBC]
*Norm Coleman, U.S. Senator from Minnesota
*Linda Lingle, Governor of Hawaii
*Carly Fiorina, former Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of [Hewlett-Packard]
[Bryan Clay] Olympic Decathlon Gold Medalist.
*Meg Whitman, former President and Chief Executive Officer of eBay

Thursday, September 4

*John McCain, United States Senator from Arizona and 2008 Republican nominee for President of the United States. In his speech, McCain culminated the Republican convention by accepting his party's nomination for President of the United States. He was introduced by a video tribute. It was the most-watched speech in political convention history. [cite news|url=http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,418982,00.html|title='Special Report' Panel on John McCain's Acceptance Speech|accessdate=2008-09-10|date=September 8, 2008|publisher=Fox News]
*Cindy McCain, wife of John McCain. Prior to appearing on stage, a video tribute honoring Cindy McCain was shown to the delegates. She then appeared and introduced the seven McCain children. McCain portrayed her husband as a "straight talker" and a father who, by example, has passed his love of his country onto his children.cite news|url=http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/national/1131ap_cvn_cindy_mccain.html?source=mypi|title=Cindy McCain praises husband as leader, father|author=DeMillo, Andrew|accessdate=2008-09-06|date=September 4, 2008|work=Seattle-Post Intelligencer] She avoided criticizing Democratic nominee Barack Obama, rather she praised her husband, saying, "He has shown the value of self-sacrifice by daily example and, above all John showers us with the unconditional love and support every family dreams of. I know what his children say of him. And his courageous service to America in war and peace leaves no doubt what our forefathers would make of him." She also showed her support for Vice Presidential nominee Sarah Palin, all before her husband took the stage.
*Tim Pawlenty, Governor of Minnesota
*Tom Ridge, Former Governor of Pennsylvania
*Sam Brownback, United States Senator from Kansas
*Bill Frist, Former United States Senate Majority Leader
*Mel Martinez, United States Senator from Florida
*John Ensign, United States Senator from Nevada
*Lindsey Graham, United States Senator from South Carolina
*Tom Cole, United States Representative from Oklahoma
*Mary Fallin, United States Representative from Oklahoma
*Marsha Blackburn, United States Representative from Tennessee
*Aaron Schock, 27-year-old Illinois State Representative; nominee for U.S. House of Representatives
*Rosario Marin, Former Treasurer of the United States

Hosting city selection

Four cities made bids to the Republican National Committee (RNC) for proposals to host the 2008 Convention. Those cities were Cleveland, Ohio, Minneapolis-Saint Paul, Minnesota, New York City, New York, and Tampa-St. Petersburg, Florida. The RNC Selection Committee made its recommendation for Minneapolis-Saint Paul and on September 27, 2006, the RNC made its decision public that the 2008 Republican National Convention would be held in Minneapolis-Saint Paul. The RNC made their decision earlier than originally scheduled because the Democratic National Committee (DNC) also had Minneapolis-Saint Paul as a finalist among bidding cities. (After the RNC's selection, the DNC removed Minneapolis-Saint Paul from consideration which left the DNC with only two cities to choose from: New York City and Denver, Colorado). This is the second time the Minneapolis-Saint Paul area held the Republican National Convention—the first was held in 1892.

Political significance

Candidates view the 27 electoral college votes from Minnesota, Wisconsin and Iowa as a block that is subject to swing toward either major party, and equal in value to Florida's 27 electoral votes. [cite web| last = Moore| first = Rick| title = 2004 Elections Project - The latest trends in Wisconsin and Iowa| work = UMN News| publisher = Regents of the University of Minnesota| date = 2004-10-26| url = http://www1.umn.edu/umnnews/Feature_Stories/2004_Elections_Project_The_latest_trends_in_Wisconsin_and_Iowa.html| accessdate = 2006-11-19]

Minnesota has not gone to the Republicans since the 1972 election when during his re-election President Richard Nixon won every state except Massachusetts and the District of Columbia. In 1984, during his re-election, President Ronald Reagan was victorious over Minnesota's "favorite son", Walter Mondale, in all states except Minnesota, and the District of Columbia.

Since the U.S. Constitution limits the President to two terms and Vice President Dick Cheney is not seeking the Presidency, the 2008 election is the first election in which neither the sitting President nor the sitting Vice President sought his party's nomination since 1928 (when neither the sitting President, Calvin Coolidge, nor the sitting Vice President, Charles G. Dawes, chose to seek the Presidency) and the first since 1952 where neither the sitting President nor sitting Vice President will be on the ticket (when the sitting President, Harry S. Truman, chose not to seek re-election and the sitting Vice President, Alben Barkley, lost the Democratic Nomination to Adlai Stevenson).

Based on the signs that were waved by the delegates, the dominant message of the convention was "Country First." The "U.S.A.!" chant was also a part of the message of the convention with the delegates chanting it during Lieberman's and Thompson's speeches on the first evening.

cheduling

With the landfall of Hurricane Gustav on the U.S. Gulf Coast, the White House canceled the planned appearances of President Bush and Vice President Dick Cheney.cite news |url=http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/08/31/AR2008083100403.html?hpid%3Dtopnews&sub=AR |title=GOP Makes Major Changes to Convention Activities |work=The Washington Post |author=Michael Abramowitz |coauthors=Robert Barnes |date=2008-08-31 |accessdate=2008-08-31] Governors Bobby Jindal of Louisiana and Rick Perry of Texas skipped the convention to remain in their states during the hurricane's landfall.cite news |url=http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/08/28/AR2008082803165.html |title=GOP Considers Delaying Convention |work=The Washington Post |author=Dan Eggen |coauthors=Michael Shear |date=2008-08-29 |accessdate=2008-08-29] cite news |url=http://www.twincities.com/ci_10327535?nclick_check=1 |title=Gustav could blow away GOP convention plans |work=MarketWatch |author=Russ Britt |date=2008-08-29 |accessdate=2008-08-29] The Monday, September 1, 2008, schedule was compressed to two hours from seven. McCain called on the party to reduce partisan activities ahead of the hurricane's arrival. The Republican Party chartered a DC-9 to fly convention delegates representing the affected areas back home to their families. The last time a major hurricane struck in a Presidential-election year was Hurricane Andrew in 1992, which hit South Florida four days after the Republican Convention in Houston, Texas.cite web |url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/1992andrew.html |title=Preliminary Report: Hurricane Andrew |author=Ed Rappaport |publisher=National Hurricane Center |date=1993-12-10 |accessdate=2008-08-29]

On March 26, 2008, the National Football League; the television network, NBC; and the Republican National Committee agreed in principle to move the kickoff time of the September 4, 2008, Washington Redskins–New York Giants season-opening football game to 7:00 p.m. EDT instead of 8:30 p.m. EDT to accommodate the convention. [ [http://www.reuters.com/article/sportsNews/idUSN2529053820080326 NFL season opener yields to McCain speech | Sports | Reuters ] ] The game ended relatively on time, at 10:01 p.m. EDT, with NBC Sports handing off to NBC News within moments of the end of the game. According to Nielsen Media Research, 38.9 million Americans watched McCain deliver his acceptance speech—a half million more than tuned in to see Obama the previous week. [cite news |url=http://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/06/us/politics/06ratings.html?ref=politics |title=Conventions, Anything but Dull, Are a TV Hit |work=The New York Times |author=Jim Rutenberg |coauthors=Brian Stelter |date=2008-09-05 |accessdate=2008-09-05]

Delegate count

To be selected as the 2008 Republican Party Nominee, a candidate must have received the vote of 1,191 delegates. As of March 4, 2008, McCain had received the pledges of more than 1,191 delegates. [cite web
url=http://www.realclearpolitics.com/epolls/2008/president/republican_delegate_count.html
title=Republican Delegate Count] [cite web |url=http://www.cnn.com/ELECTION/2008/primaries/results/scorecard/#val=R
title=CNN Republican Primary Scorecard] Although most of those delegates were "not" required to vote for him, [cite web |url=http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2008/02/14/665455.aspx|title=CAN MCCAIN GET ROMNEY'S DELEGATES?] on September 3, 2008, McCain won the nomination almost unanimously.cite web |url=http://www.thegreenpapers.com/P08/R.phtml |title=Republican Convention 2008 |accessdate=2008-09-04 |publisher=The Green Papers]

Palin was nominated for Vice President by voice vote on September 4, 2008. [ [http://www.katc.com/global/story.asp?s=8955655 "Palin nominated by acclamation"] ]

Protest

Approximately 10,000 largely peaceful protesters marched against the war in Iraq and 2,000 more to aid the homeless and the poor. [cite web| last = Stawicki| first = Elizabeth| coauthors = Michael Caputo| title = Authorities say splinter groups caused most of protest violence| publisher = Minnesota Public Radio| date = 2008-09-02| url = http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2008/09/01/protesters_coleman/| accessdate = 2008-09-10] [cite web| last = McNary| first = Sharon| title = Calm returns to Xcel after police fire tear gas at protesters| publisher = Minnesota Public Radio| date = 2008-09-02| url = http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2008/09/02/rnc_day2/| accessdate =2008-09-10] They represented a number of organizations opposed to the Republican Administration including Veterans for Peace, Iraq Veterans Against the War, Military Families Speak Out, the Teamsters, Code Pink and the American Indian Movement. [cite news|author=Smith, Ashley and Ruder, Eric|title=Marching on the RNC|url=http://socialistworker.org/2008/09/02/marching-on-the-rnc|date=September 2, 2008|publisher=SocialistWorker.org|accessdate=2008-09-02] [cite news|author=Montopoli, Brian|title=Protesters Push Antiwar Message At RNC|url=http://www.cbsnews.com/blogs/2008/09/01/politics/horserace/entry4405431.shtml|date=September 1, 2008|publisher=CBS News|accessdate=2008-09-02] About 1,000 people in place for the third major march, and the last to be sanctioned, were stopped on Thursday, September 4, 2008, by police.cite news|author=Robson, Britt|title=Scenes from a protest: On RNC’s last night, a march to nowhere|url=http://www.minnesotaindependent.com/7747/scenes-from-a-protest-on-rncs-last-night-a-march-to-nowhere|date=September 5, 2008|publisher=The Minnesota Independent|accessdate=2008-09-05] It had been organized and publicized by the Anti-War Committee, which supports nonviolent action and civil disobedience and cooperated with groups who support anarchism, to protest at the time of McCain's acceptance speech. [cite news|author=Weber, Tom|title=Anti-war activists plan protest on last day of RNC|url=http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2008/07/23/rncprotest/|date=July 31, 2008|work=Minnesota Public Radio News|accessdate=2008-09-05]

Ron Paul's Campaign for Liberty and 10,000 Ron Paul supporters attended the "Rally for the Republic", a protest convention on September 2, 2008, held a few miles from the Xcel Energy Center at the Minneapolis Target Center in direct contrast to the Republican National Convention. [cite news|author=Devin, Henry|title=Ron Paul, supporters rally at Target Center|url=http://www.mndaily.com/2008/09/03/ron-paul-supporters-rally-target-center|date=September 3, 2008|publisher=The Minnesota Daily|accessdate=2008-09-02]

Several groups had been preparing to protest near the convention. [ [http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2007/11/12/rnc_protests/ MPR: Peace activists, radicals plotting protests for GOP convention ] ] In early January 2008, protesters marched from the Minnesota State Capitol to the Xcel Energy Center in hopes of securing a protest permit. [ [http://kstp.com/article/stories/S300767.shtml?cat=89 KSTP.com - Protesters warm up for convention in Saint Paul ] ] The Saint Paul Police Department authorized the event, but only approved the permit through July 2008. On February 8 and February 9, 2008, anti-war protesters attended a weekend conference at the University of Minnesota to discuss the protests and anti-war rally. [ [http://wcco.com/local/republican.convention.protest.2.650198.html wcco.com - Protesters Making Plans In Minn. For RNC '08 ] ] On February 28, 2008, the Associated Press (AP) reported that the police department adopted new guidelines for the investigation of protest groups. The police department said that this did not have anything to do with the convention. [ [http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2008/02/25/conventionsecurity/ MPR: St. Paul police adopt new guidelines ahead of RNC ] ]

In early March 2008, the city of Saint Paul gave the first permits to protest organizers. [ [http://wcco.com/local/rnc.protesters.marching.2.668562.html wcco.com - RNC Protesters Not Happy About Marching Routes ] ] The city had said that it was not going to follow the "New York model" for protest security, referring to the tactics the New York City Police Department used for the 2004 Republican National Convention. [ [http://www.villagevoice.com/news/0811,374129,374129,2.html village voice > news > Runnin' Scared: Minnesota Cops Promise a Kinder, Gentler RNC by Sean Gardiner ] ] Later, on March 24, 2008, the anti-war group the "Coalition to March on the RNC and Stop the War", sued the city, claiming their free speech and due process rights were denied by the vagueness of the permits which did not specify a permitted route for their march. [ [http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2008/03/24/protest/ MPR: RNC protest group sues city of St. Paul ] ] On July 16, 2008, a Federal judge upheld the terms of the permit. [cite news|title=Federal judge rules against RNC protesters|last=Furst|first=Randy|date=2008-07-16|work=Star Tribune|publisher=The Star Tribune Company|accessdate=2008-08-09] And when the time came on September 2, 2008, police led the Poor People's Economic Human Rights Campaign for two hours on a convert|2.5|mi|km trek away from the convention which had been less than convert|1|mi|km from their starting point. [cite news|author=Camp, John|title=Street scenes: A march through St. Paul's concrete wilderness|url=http://www.minnpost.com/stories/2008/09/03/3323/street_scenes_a_march_through_st_pauls_concrete_wilderness|date=September 3, 2008|publisher=MinnPost|accessdate=2008-09-05]

Police raids on protesters and arrests

Planning, however careful, was followed by unexpected preemptive raids at the start of the convention, initiated by the local sheriff, [cite news|author=Nelson, Tim and Stachura, Sea|title=Police conduct raids in preparation for RNC|url=http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2008/08/30/rnc_raids/|date=August 30, 2008|publisher=Minnesota Public Radio|accessdate=2008-08-31] and in coordination with the Federal Bureau of Investigation. [cite news|url=http://www.salon.com/opinion/greenwald/2008/08/31/raids/|title=Federal government involved in raids on protesters |last=Greenwald|first=Glenn|date=August 31, 2008|work=Salon|accessdate=2008-09-02] Six persons were arrested during five police raids on homes in Minneapolis and Saint Paul during the weekend preceding the convention and hundreds more were detained. [cite news|author=Birkey, Andy|title=Pre-RNC police raids: reporters’ notebook|url=http://www.minnesotaindependent.com/6292/pre-rnc-police-raids-reporters-notebook|date=August 30, 2008|publisher=The Minnesota Independent|accessdate=2008-08-31]

Several aspects of the police raids were unusual enough to merit attention from major media outlets. [cite news|author=Associated Press|title=Police raid headquarters of RNC protesters|url=http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/08/30/rnc.protest/index.html|date=August 30, 2008|Publisher=CNN|accessdate=2008-08-31] In particular, raids on suspected protesters were performed by teams of up to 30 police officers wearing riot gear with weapons drawn. [cite news|author=Associated Press|title=Police raid headquarters of RNC protesters|url=http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/08/30/rnc.protest/index.html|date=August 30, 2008|Publisher=CNN|accessdate=2008-08-31] Protesters involved in the raids were accused of fire-code violations at a rental hall used by a group organizing RNC protests. [cite news|author=Associated Press|title=Police raid headquarters of RNC protesters|url=http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/08/30/rnc.protest/index.html|date=August 30, 2008|Publisher=CNN|accessdate=2008-08-31]

On the first day of the convention, a group of protesters attacked approximately 30 to 40 delegates from Connecticut, one member of the delegation in the face, with a toxic substance thought to be diluted bleach. Paramedics treated an 83-year-old member of the delegation for breathing problems when his credentials were ripped from his neck. Additionally, Black Bloc smashed windows of corporate businesses and several police cars and lit at least one fire near downtown Saint Paul. About 12 protesters were arrested.cite news|author=Associated Press and staff reports|title=Protesters target state delegation|url=http://www.connpost.com/localnews/ci_10358798|date=September 2, 2008|work=The Connecticut Post|publisher=Hearst Communications|accessdate=2008-09-03] Dead link|date=September 2008

During the convention's first three days, more than 300 individuals were arrested by police, [cite news|url=http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5hksHDv1i55R2qYI6dkmMm10uxZ0AD92UBCFO1|title=Some turn violent in GOP convention protests|last=Forliti|first=Amy|date=September 2, 2008|publisher=Associated Press|accessdate=2008-09-03] including journalists (AP photographer Matt Rourke was one),cite news|author=Lohn, Martiga and Krawczynski, Jon|title=Hundreds protest poverty, homelessness as GOP meet|url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/feedarticle/7769867|date=September 2, 2008|publisher=Associated Press via Guardian News and Media|accessdate=2008-09-02] health-care workers and lawyer observers. Some were released, but nearly half received felony charges.cite news|author=Stone, Kathlyn|title=Arrest of hundreds at anti-war marchers and journalists angers activists|url=http://www.tcdailyplanet.net/article/2008/09/02/arrest-hundreds-anti-war-marchers-and-journalists-angers-activists.html|date=September 2, 2008|publisher=Twin Cities Daily Planet|accessdate=2008-09-02] Of these felony arrests, many cases were dropped or reviewed, some times for lesser charges, and about 21 were found to be prosecutable.cite news|author=Demko, Paul|title=Prosecutors detail protest charges|url=http://www.minnesotaindependent.com/7293/prosecutors-detail-protest-charges|date=September 3, 2008|publisher=The Minnesota Independent|accessdate=2008-09-04] About 102 persons were arrested for unlawful assembly at a Rage Against the Machine concert in downtown Minneapolis.

Over the four days of the convention, more than 30 journalists were arrested while reporting on the protests. The arrests included journalists from national organizations such as AP and Democracy Now!, journalists from local radio and TV stations, as well as university journalism students and advisors. [cite news|url=http://www.freepress.net/node/44232|title=List of Journalists Arrested at the RNC |date=September 10, 2008|work=Free Press (organization)|accessdate=2008-09-16]

Three journalists from Democracy Now!—including principal host Amy Goodman—were detained by police during their reporting on the protests. [cite news|url=http://www.thenation.com/blogs/campaignmatters/352466/amy_goodman_others_detained_outside_rnc|title=Amy Goodman, Others Detained Outside RNC |date=September 1, 2008|work=The Nation|accessdate=2008-09-02] According to a press release by Democracy Now!, Goodman was arrested after attempting to free two of the show's producers who were in police custody; [cite news|url=http://www.democracynow.org/blog/2008/9/1/amy_goodman_and_two_democracy_now_producers_unlawfully_arrested_at_the_rnc|title=Amy Goodman and Two Democracy Now! Producers Unlawfully Arrested At the RNC|date=September 1, 2008|publisher=Democracy Now!|accessdate=2008-09-02] all were held on charges of "probable cause for riot". [cite web|url=http://minnesota.publicradio.org/collections/special/columns/loophole/archive/2008/09/democracy_now_host_amy_goodman.shtml|title=Democracy Now! host Amy Goodman arrested at RNC protest|date=September 1, 2008|work=Minnesota Public Radio|accessdate=2008-09-02] Progressive news sources have criticized the arrest as unlawful and a violation of the freedom of the press. [cite web|url=http://www.alternet.org/rights/97194/amy_goodman_and_two_democracy_now!_producers_unlawfully_arrested_at_rnc/|title=Amy Goodman and Two Democracy Now! Producers Unlawfully Arrested at RNC|date=September 1, 2008|work=Alternet|accessdate=2008-09-02]

When a permit expired at 5 p.m. on the last day of the convention, bridges were closed and police used tear gas or smoke bombs, pepper spray, flash bangs, mounted police and all-terrain vehicles to prevent an anti-war march organized by the Anti-War Committee that had begun at 4 p.m. [cite news|title=Today on the presidential campaign trail|url=http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5iNxTApa2sQRu0Xx99P3jt2bEXw7gD930DFLG0|date=September 5, 2008|publisher=Associated Press via Google|accessdate=2008-09-05] at the State Capitol.cite news|author=Hohmann, James|title=Police arrest demonstrators, prevent access to Republican convention|url=http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/washingtondc/la-na-protests5-2008sep05,0,3520828.story|date=September 5, 2008|work=Los Angeles Times|publisher=Tribune Company|accessdate=2008-09-05] Between 300 and 400 persons were arrested or held including 19 journalists, among them AP reporters Amy Forliti and Jon Krawczynski, reporters from "Twin Cities Daily Planet" and "The Uptake", and Paul Demko of "The Minnesota Independent".cite news|author=Turck, Mary|title=Over 300 arrested at RNC protests, including reporters from the Daily Planet and the Uptake|url=http://www.tcdailyplanet.net/article/2008/09/04/day-four-protests-arrests.html|date=September 4, 2008|publisher=Twin Cities Daily Planet|accessdate=2008-09-05] [cite news|author=Demko, Paul|title=‘If you are on this bridge you are under arrest’|url=http://www.minnesotaindependent.com/7691/if-you-are-on-this-bridge-you-are-under-arrest|date=September 5, 2008|publisher=The Minnesota Independent|accessdate=2008-09-05] cite news|author=Foley, Ryan J. and Lohn, Martiga|title=Arrests mark last anti-war march of convention|url=http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5hksHDv1i55R2qYI6dkmMm10uxZ0AD930KFI01|date=September 5, 2008|publisher=Associated Press via Google|accessdate=2008-09-05] Total arrests of convention protesters numbered about 800. [cite web| last =Fantin| first = Linda| title = Judge sets bail for anarchists charged with terrorism-related felony; attorney says charges are 'scary' and overblown| publisher = Minnesota Public Radio| date = 2008-09-03| url = http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2008/09/03/rnc_day3/| accessdate =2008-09-09]

ee also

*2008 Democratic National Convention
*Republican Party Presidential primaries, 2008
*Republican National Convention

References

External links

* [http://www.GOPConvention2008.com 2008 Republican National Convention official website]
* [http://www.msp2008.com Minneapolis-Saint Paul 2008 Host Committee]
* [http://www.gop.com Republican National Committee official website]

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New York
list=Republican National Conventions
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