Bush is formally nominated

NEW YORK CITY — It's official. Republicans on Wednesday night formally nominated George W. Bush as their candidate for a second term with a vote of 2,508 to nothing.

And Vice President Dick Cheney officially accepted the party's nomination for a second term as vice president.

And with those formalities aside, the delegates, kicked off a three-hour celebration, waving signs and dancing to rhythm and blues, country and Christian rock music in Madison Square Garden, listening to Cheney and also cheering wildly for a Democrat.

Delegates were gleeful in their reaction to a speech by Sen. Zell Miller, a conservative Georgia Democrat. Twelve years ago, Miller gave a nominating speech for Bill Clinton, but on Wednesday night he pledged his support for the Republican nominee, President Bush.

"Like you, I ask which leader it is today that has the vision, the willpower and yes, the backbone to best protect my family," he said. "The clear answer to that question has placed me in this hall with you tonight. For my family is more important than my party."

Miller, who has become the darling on conservative talk shows for his defiance of the Democratic Party, said America cannot afford indecisiveness and self-indulgence.

"In this hour of danger, our president has had the courage to stand up," Miller said. "And this Democrat is proud to stand up with him."

Utah's delegation to the convention was awestruck by Miller's performance, calling it courageous and inspiring.

"Zell Miller lit up the stars," said Utah Senate President Al Mansell. "He said it just the way it is."

And Miller, who is retiring from the Senate, said it just the way Republicans wanted to hear it: straight up and no holds barred.

State treasurer Ed Alter called the speech "the gutsiest thing I have ever heard from a Democrat. It was incredible, and it was spoken like a true Marine."

House Majority Leader Greg Curtis says Miller is a patriot who "calls it exactly how he sees it. He had nothing to gain personally, and that added a lot of credibility."

And what about Cheney's speech? And one by Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney?

"I like Dick Cheney," Curtis said, "but he is not the most flamboyant speaker. But he is a steady, solid person.

"Mitt was good, but his problem was that Zell Miller came afterwards," he added.

Utah Speaker of the House Marty Stephens called Miller's speech "the knockout punch of the convention."

"Here is a man who stood up for what he deeply believes in," Stephens said, "and a man who put country before political party or politics. It was inspiring, and I would love to see more of that in politics."