Venue First Union Center Total delegates 4,335 | Vice Presidential nominee Dick Cheney of Wyoming | |
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Date(s) July 31 – August 3, 2000 City Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Presidential nominee George W. Bush of Texas | ||
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 for President and former U.S. Secretary of Defense Richard B. "Dick" Cheney for Vice President.
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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 Administration as weak on defense and military topics, high taxes, underperforming schools and indifferent teachers, high pollution, and a "lack of dignity and respect to the presidency." He attacked the Clinton Administration's military policies, claiming that American troops were "not ready for duty, sir." He also claimed that the Clinton Administration did not provide leadership. He said, "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 would eventually build up support throughout the week, culminating with Cheney's home state of Wyoming finally putting him over the top on the final night. There were few defections, despite a large contingent of delegates having been elected to support McCain, who formally released them to Bush.
The convention then voted by acclamation to make the convention nomination unanimous. Cheney's nomination as vice president had also been approved by acclamation on Wednesday night, so Cheney could address the convention later that night as the official nominee.