Monday RNC Convention Wire Archive

— -- MONDAY, AUGUST 30

Former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani on 9/11: "At the time, we believed we would be attacked many more times that day and in the days that followed. Spontaneously, I grabbed the arm of then Police Commissioner Bernard Kerik and said to Bernie, "Thank God George Bush is our President."" "For that and then his determined effort to defeat global terrorism, no matter what happens in this election, President George W. Bush already has earned a place in our history as a great American President." Straying from his prepared text, he notes "these are the most Republicans I have ever seen in NY. I finally feel at home here." "It doesn't matter what the media does to ridicule him or misinterpret him or defeat him. They ridiculed Winston Churchill. They belittled Ronald Reagan. But like President Bush, they were optimists; leaders must be optimists. Their vision was beyond the present and set on a future of real peace and true freedom. Some call it stubbornness. I call it principled leadership. President Bush has the courage of his convictions." On the differences between Bush and Kerry: "President Bush, [is] a leader who is willing to stick with difficult decisions even as public opinion shifts, and John Kerry, whose record in elected office suggests a man who changes his position often even on important issues." Criticizing Kerry's vote in Iraq: "Maybe this explains John Edwards' need for two Americas -- one where John Kerry can vote for something and another where he can vote against the same thing."

Sen. John McCain: On the war on terror "It's a fight between a just regard for human dignity and a malevolent force that defiles an honorable religion by disputing God's love for every soul on earth. It's a fight between right and wrong, good and evil." "All of us, despite the differences that enliven our politics, are united in the one big idea that freedom is our birthright and its defense is always our first responsibility. All other responsibilities come second." "My friends in the Democratic Party -- and I'm fortunate to call many of them my friends -- assure us they share the conviction that winning the war against terrorism is our government's most important obligation. I don't doubt their sincerity." On Michael Moore: "...a disingenuous film maker who would have us believe that Saddam's Iraq was an oasis of peace when in fact it was a place of indescribable cruelty, torture chambers, mass graves and prisons that destroyed the lives of the small children held inside their walls." "Our choice wasn't between a benign status quo and the bloodshed of war. It was between war and a graver threat. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise. Not our critics abroad."

Sen. Lindsey Graham introduces Sen. McCain: "Tonight, our speaker John McCain of Arizona will call for a united America to ensure we win a great struggle we cannot afford to lose. There will be no class warfare in this hall tonight."

Football player Jason Sehorn and actress Angie Harmon pay tribute to the Medal of Honor recipients.

Director of American Islamic Congress Zainab al- Suwaij: "Living under Saddam Hussein, we could not gather as we do now to discuss things like democracy and freedom. We could only dream of a day when we could speak freely, and worship God in ways of our own choosing. Instead, we lived under a murderer...." America, under the strong, compassionate leadership of President Bush, has given Iraqis the most precious gift any nation has ever given another -- the gift of democracy and the freedom to determine its own future"

Robert Khuzami on the Patriot Act: "The PATRIOT Act has helped our homeland security team dismantle terror cells from New York to Oregon, disrupt efforts to obtain weapons, and cut off sources of terrorist funding."

Former New York City Police Commissioner Bernard Kerik discusses President Bush's role in protecting America: "We didn't ask for this war, but faced with an evil whose only mission is to destroy our country ... we had to respond. The President responded by creating the Department of Homeland Security, he enacted the PATRIOT Act and he has tripled our homeland security funding since 2001." Today, we live in a much safer world as a result of this President's strong leadership. As I think about his leadership, I think of the courage it took for our Commander in Chief to land on an airstrip in the dark of night, a world away, to be with our troops on Thanksgiving.He was there for them as he was for us right here in New York City, inspiring a nation as he stood on hallowed ground, supporting the first responders."

Actor Ron Silver salutes the troops and remembers 9/11: "we will never forget we will never forgive we will never excuse...this is a war that we did not seek. this is a war waged against us. we had to respond."

Former President HW Bush and Mrs. Bush enter the convention hall at 8:51 pm to Van Halen's "Jump".

Vice President Cheney and Lynne Cheney enter the convention hall at 8:35 pm.

Rep. Dennis Hastert looks at the legacies of former Presidents Lincoln and Reagan as he touts President Bush's leadership: "Both President Lincoln and Reagan understand that in order to be respected int he world you have to have the courage to stand up for America. George Bush shares the Lincoln and Reagan vision. Does anyone know where John Kerry really stands on the war? This is no time to puick a leader taht is weak on war and strong on taxes."

Offical panoramic photograph taken of the convention hall at 8:30 pm.

Rep. Dennis Hastert suspends role call until the next session to begin with New Jersey.

DNC Chair Terry McAuliffe insta-responds to Giuliani's speech: "Rudy Giuliani tonight will speak at the Republican convention about a President with whom he often disagrees about a special interest platform he does not support. This is all part of George Bush's and Dick Cheney's attempt to mask their failed record and their special interest agenda. "The idea of Rudy Giuliani comparing George W. Bush to Winston Churchill reminds me of a certain Churchil quote that, after the last four years, most certainly applies to George Bush – 'he's a humble man with much to be humble about.'"

Rep. Deborah Price of Ohio gavels the convention to order at 7:53 pm.

SPOTTED: RNC Political Director Blaise Hazelwood gives floor briefing on GOTV activities to select group of floor whips.

Republican super lawyer Ben Ginsberg and Republican consultant Mike Murphy sighted tucked away in an empty section of MSG bleachers chatting about politics.

RNCC Adjourns Morning Session, Evening Session begins a 7:45 pm ET

Gov. Bob Taft of Ohio, Chairman of the Republican Governors Association, urges voters to cast their ballots for the Republican candidates running for governor across the country this year.

Rep. Jim DeMint (R-SC): "We've heard Kerry at his convention tell the ocutry that the sky is falling but we are here with our Preisdent to tell the country that the sky's the limit."

Rep. George Nethercutt (R-WA) : "I've been proud to stand with President Bush to fight this war on terror. I ask that our opponents meet us and debate the important issues of the day . . . to raise the level of discourse . . . "

Presidential adviser Karl Rove addressing the Ohio delegation his morning: "We got 64 days left, not that anybody is counting, and I'm asking you to do more than you've ever done before." Rove added that, "like it or not," Ohio is "ground zero" for the 2004 campaign, "and we'll be back again and again."

The roll call process has begun.

Vice President Cheney has left Madison Square Garden.

Vice President Cheney has been officially nominated by acclimation.

Vice President Cheney and Lynne Cheney arrive at the convention . . . crowd chants "four more years" as they sit in their box.

Gov. Bill Owens, Platform Committee Co-Chairman applaud President Bush's war on terror: "the world is a far better olace thanks to the leadership of President Bush."

Rep. Melissa Hart, Co-Chair RNC Platform Committee: "we place a special emphasis on ownership because as republicans we want all people to have vital stakes in all areas of our country....I have been proud to put together a statement of golden principles.

Sen. Majority Leader and Platform Committee Chairman Bill Frist thanks the delegates and notes "we stand firmly with President Bush...we proudly offer the American people a confident and forward looking vision....."

Rep. Dennis Hastert, convention chairman, touts the record of President Bush's record on the war on terror... accuses the "Kerry-Pelosi" team of being weak on battling terrorism.

Republican National Congressional Committe Chairman Rep. Tom Reyolds introduces Republican members of the house and candidates running this year: "we will work as a team committed to the pinciples and ideas of our Repuglican Party guided by the President."

RNC CEO Bill Harris: welcomes delegates....says he looks forward to hearing President Bush and Vice President Cheney's "optimistic" vision.

Gov. Marc Racicot welcomes delegates on behalf of BC'04 and notes "under President Bush we have a safer more hopeful America" and calls Bush one the "greatest leaders our nation has ever known."

Mayor Bloomberg appears on stage 30 minutes ahead of schedule to welcome delegates...."We showed the world that New York can never be defeated. If you believe in yourself and your dream, NY will always be the place for you." "I want to thank President Bush for helping New York City by changing the homeland security funding and fighting the global war on terror. The President deserves our support."

Former New York City Mayor and Democrat Ed Koch declares "New York is back better than ever" when introducing Mayor Bloomberg.

RNC Co-Chairwoman Ann Wagner gives thanks to "grassroots heroes."

RNC Chairman Ed Gillespie calls the convention to order.