From Deseret News archives:

GOP hosts hearty party

Festive convention erupts with cheers — and with rumors

Published: Monday, Aug. 30, 2004 11:36 p.m. MDT
 |  E-MAIL | PRINT | FONT + - 
NEW YORK CITY — The Republican National Convention kicked off Monday with a bang. Make that a twang.

To the backdrop of country music awash in patriotism, thousands of festive Republicans danced and cheered and thundered their support for President Bush and Vice President Dick Cheney.

And while the former is a foregone conclusion, the latter was caught in a swirl of rumors Monday that he was soon to be replaced on the GOP ticket by Arizona Sen. John McCain — Monday night's keynote speaker.

"He is one of the most admired and respected men in America," South Carolina Sen. Lindsay Graham said of McCain to delegates at Madison Square Garden.

And for that reason — and the fact he is a moderate Republican with crossover appeal to Democrats — the rumor mill was running amok.

The Utah delegation, still aglow after a day of receptions and party pep rallies, dismissed the rumors out of hand, pledging their unified support for Cheney.

"I would be stunned if it happened," said Utah GOP chairman Joe Cannon, who suspects the rumors originated within the Republican Party. "I love Dick Cheney. He is an authentic conservative and a brilliant person. It is unimaginable."

Story continues below
"But," he added, "I have been wrong on a lot of things."

Monday night's festivities were wrapped in patriotism, from families of 9/11 victims recounting their faith to a deafening moment of silence for the victims and a rendition of "Amazing Grace" that left convention delegates in tears.

Even the relegation of the Utah delegation to the back row in the far corner of the convention hall could not dampen spirits.

Utah delegate Tim Bridgewater called the evening's festivities "inspiring," particularly the speeches of McCain and former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani.

"They evoked a lot of emotion," he said. "It reminded us why it is important to have leadership during a time of global change. We have enemies throughout the world."

Utah Attorney General Mark Shurtleff said he was "blown away" by the emotion and patriotism of the event, which featured comments from the wives of three men killed during the Sept. 11 attacks.

"It puts it all in perspective," he said. "It renewed feelings of patriotism, service and a resolve not to let it (9/11) happen again."

It was McCain who first roused the crowd with his stirring defense of the war against terrorism.

"This is a fight between right and wrong, good and evil," he said, adding only the most deluded would doubt the necessity of the war. "We must see this war through to a just end."

Comments

You can be the first to comment on this story.

Image
Stephan Savoia, Associated Press

Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., walks on stage to thunderous applause for his keynote speech Monday supporting war on terrorism.

previousnext

Latest comments

The reason that won't be the case is because, unlike your teams line, our...

This freedom of speech issue is enough to make me want to remain as a private...

4A: Springville holds off Dixie

What is everyone talking about? Good luck next game? I could have sworn I...

4A: Springville holds off Dixie

yeah, TV might be rude. but springville isn't smart for trying to compare...

Thanks, Robinson, for a laugh-out-loud funny article which makes a point then...

Aggies edge Weber State

WAC 1-0 vs the MWC this year, next week will be 2-0 for the WAC when Utah...

This weekend on TV

"Three Rivers" is an excellent program. I hope everyone will tune in!

A real man! What a pro that Mathis is! He's great! I thought Matthews played...

I wouldn't call Brown "big". Tall, maybe, but he's maybe the skinniest high...

Smoking up nationally, down in Utah

Tobacco prevention saves lives and money.

Advertisements
Advertisement