2004 Democratic National Convention

U.S. political event held in Boston, Massachusetts January 2025 August 2022 March 2007 2004dnc logo 150pix 03 04.jpg 150px 2004 Democratic DP2004.png 125 DV2004.png 125 NomineesKerry and Edwards July 26–29, 2004 FleetCenter Boston, Massachusetts Bill Richardson of New Mexico Barack Obama of Illinois John Kerry of Massachusetts John Edwards of North Carolina 1 4,322 2,164 Kerry (MA): 4,253 (98.40%)Kucinich (OH): 43 (0.99%)Abstention: 26 (0.60%) Edwards (NC): Acclamation 2000 2008 thumb|Boston mayor Thomas Menino welcomes delegates to the convention The 2004 Democratic National Convention convened from July 26 to 29, 2004 at the FleetCenter (now the TD Garden) in Boston, Massachusetts, and nominated Senator John Kerry from Massachusetts for president and Senator John Edwards from North Carolina for vice president, respectively, in the 2004 presidential election. The 2004 Democratic National Convention was famous for the keynote speech of Barack Obama, who would go on to be elected President four years later. New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson served as chairman of the convention, while former presidential advisor to Bill Clinton, Lottie Shackelford, served as vice chairwoman of the convention. The 2004 Democratic National Convention marked the formal end of the active primary election season, although all meaningful primary elections had finished months earlier. After the convention, John Kerry and John Edwards were defeated by the incumbent George W. Bush and Dick Cheney in the general election. Convention themes The 2004 Democratic National Convention featured a theme for each day of the convention. The first night of the meeting focused on the theme "Plan for America's Future" with speeches devoted to building optimism for John Kerry's candidacy. The second night of the meeting focused on the theme "A Lifetime of Strength and Service" devoted to John Kerry's biography and his path to his nomination. The third night of the meeting focused on the theme "A Stronger More Secure America" devoted to issues of homeland security and the global war on terror. The last night of the meeting focused on the theme "Stronger at Home, Respected in the World" devoted to the overall agenda of the party to secure the borders, improving domestic welfare while at the same time promoting international cooperation in world affairs.http://usgovinfo.about.com/od/thepoliticalsystem/a/dncspeakers.htm 2004 Democratic Convention Speakers List May 15, 2007 https://web.archive.org/web/20071114073203/http://usgovinfo.about.com/od/thepoliticalsystem/a/dncspeakers.htm November 14, 2007 dead The phrase "Help is on the Way" was often repeated by speakers such as John Edwards.http://www.rdono.com/2004/ALLPOLITICS/07/28/dems.edwards.transcript/index.html Transcript of Edwards' speech May 15, 2007 https://web.archive.org/web/20070927224501/http://www.rdono.com/2004/ALLPOLITICS/07/28/dems.edwards.transcript/index.html September 27, 2007 dead http://www.moderateindependent.com/v2i21elections2.htm Elections 2004 - Rounding Up The Democratic Convention Moderateindependent.com July 30, 2004 September 4, 2013 https://web.archive.org/web/20070927174204/http://www.moderateindependent.com/v2i21elections2.htm September 27, 2007 dead This was the first major party presidential nominating convention to be held since the terrorist attacks of September 11 attacks. During the convention, there was a memorial service to honor the victims of the attacks. Haleema Salie, who lost her daughter, son-in-law, and unborn grandchild on American Flight 11, spoke.Shales Tom Bill Clinton, Getting the Gang Ready to Rock and Roll https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/lifestyle/2004/07/27/bill-clinton-getting-the-gang-ready-to-rock-and-roll/3d5c609c-d2ae-40f0-8763-669dc092ea5e/ October 5, 2021 The Washington Post July 28, 2004 Party platform The 2004 Democratic National Convention successfully passed an official party platform. A forty-three page document, the party platform was entitled "Strong at Home, Respected in the World" – also the name of the theme conveyed on the last night of the convention. The first part of the platform was called "A Strong, Respected America". The section defined specific goals and actions to defeat terrorism, to keep weapons of mass destruction from the hands of terrorists, to promote world peace and security, to strengthen the military, to achieve energy independence and to strengthen homeland security. The second part of the platform was called, "A Strong, Growing Economy". The section defined specific goals and actions to create what the party called "good jobs" and "standing up for the great American middle class." The third part of the platform was called, "Strong, Healthy Families." The section defined specific goals and actions to reform the healthcare system in the United States, to improve education and to protect the environment. The final part of the platform was called, "A Strong American Community." It stressed the diversity of the nation and the importance of upholding civil rights as a major tenet of the party. Site selection thumb|left|The FleetCenter during the 2004 Democratic National Convention thumb|238px|Beacon Hill and Downtown Boston as seen from Cambridge + Bidding cities City Status of bid Venue Financial packagepledged by city Previous major party conventions hosted by city Boston, Massachusetts Winner FleetCenter $49.5 million Detroit, Michigan Finalist Ford Field, Joe Louis Arena, Cobo HallConventions-2004 Site Selection https://p2004.org/convs/detroit04.html p2004.org February 24, 2022 $50 million Republican: 1980 Miami, Florida Finalist American Airlines Arena, Coconut Grove Convention Center, and Miami Beach Convention CenterMiami makes pitch to host party convention https://www.newspapers.com/image/178275991 Newspapers.com Florida Today Associated Press February 24, 2022 en subscription July 17, 2002 $40 million Democratic: 1972Republican: 1968, 1972 New York City, New York Finalist Madison Square GardenConventions-2004 Site Selection https://p2004.org/convs/nyc04.html p2004.org February 24, 2022 $72 million Democratic: 1868, 1924, 1976, 1980, 1992 Baltimore, Maryland Non-finalist Potentially Oriole Park at Camden YardsJohnson Glen Hub, 4 rivals buff their Democratic party ware https://www.newspapers.com/image/442896054 Newspapers.com The Boston Globe February 24, 2022 en subscription April 25, 2002 Democratic: 1832, 1835, 1840, 1844, 1848, 1852, 1860, 1872, 1912Republican: 1864Whig: 1844, 1852, 1856 After an initial notice to 34 cities, 10 cities requested the RFP to host the convention: Atlanta, Baltimore, Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Detroit, Houston, Miami, New York City and Pittsburgh. Of those, Baltimore, Boston, Detroit, Miami and New York City submitted bids. Baltimore's bid was considered a long-shot. The city lacked a conventional venue with enough space to accommodate the convention, and was proposing the prospect of erecting a temporary canopy at Oriole Park at Camden Yards (which would have likely necessitated the baseball team tenant to vacate the venue for a roughly two-month period of their season). Baltimore was eliminated. Boston, Detroit, Miami and New York City were selected as the finalist cities.Collins Dan Dems Pick Boston For 2004 Convention https://www.cbsnews.com/news/dems-pick-boston-for-2004-convention/ CBS News November 19, 2002 Each of the finalist cities received visits from members of the Democratic National Committee during the site selection process. Boston was announced as the host of the convention on November 13, 2002.Site Selection 2004 GWU http://www.gwu.edu/%7Eaction/2004/convs/dsiteselect.html January 13, 2009 The 2004 Democratic National Convention was the first major party presidential nominating convention to held in Boston. With John Kerry arising as the winner of the primaries, it ultimately was one of the few presidential nominating conventions that was held in the home state of the party's nominee.Cynthia L. Webb https://www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/wp-dyn/A15054-2004Jul26?language=printer https://web.archive.org/web/20110428231940/http://www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/wp-dyn/A15054-2004Jul26?language=printer dead April 28, 2011 Democrats Get Wired in Boston The Washington Post July 26, 2004 May 15, 2007 As a result of the selection of Boston, organizers of the Reebok Pro Summer League developmental basketball program had to fold the league into the upstart Las Vegas Summer League due to a lack of lodging in the Boston area.Christovich Amanda How NBA's inaugural Vegas Summer League was kick-started by the Democratic National Convention https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nba/teams/2018/07/19/democratic-national-convention-start-nba-vegas-summer-league/799966002/ February 15, 2019 USA Today July 19, 2018 Until Chicago, Illinois, was selected as the host of the 2024 Democratic National Convention, 2004 was the last time that either major party chose to hold their convention in a state that was not considered to be a swing state (the Republicans held their 2004 convention in New York City).Petre Linda Search for 2024 convention sites ramps up in both parties https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/589116-search-for-2024-convention-sites-ramps-up-in-both-parties The Hill February 23, 2022 en January 11, 2022Dems select Chicago for 2024 convention https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/ap-report-democrats-select-chicago-to-host-2024-convention PBS NewsHour 15 April 2023 en-us 11 April 2023 Logistics Security thumb|The U.S. Coast Guard vessel escorting a ferry boat upon which nominee John Kerry was being transported to a rally thumb|A U.S. Coast Guardsman patrols the waters adjacent to the FleetCenter During the convention, U.S. Capitol Police, the U.S. Coast Guard, and other governmental organizations took many security measures to protect the participants of the Democratic National Convention.https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna5510680 Security details: dogs, guns, choppers – politics NBC News July 25, 2004 September 4, 2013 Security measures included bomb-sniffing dogs, 7-feet high metal barricades, a ban on corporate and private flights at Logan International Airport, along with the temporary closure of Interstate 93. Police union Other Bostonians took advantage of the meeting as a national stage for specific agendas.https://www.nytimes.com/2004/06/30/us/democrats-fear-boston-police-union-may-picket-during-party-convention.html Democrats Fear Boston Police Union May Picket During Party Convention Greenhouse Steven June 30, 2004 The New York Times May 5, 2018 en-US 0362-4331 The police union, for example, gained attention with threats of picketing of delegates from entering and exiting functions – a dilemma for Democrats as the party has traditionally been an ally of organized labor. Having worked without a contract for two years, the Boston Police Patrolmen's Association struck a deal with Boston mayor Thomas Menino for a new contract, avoiding a major embarrassment for the party. Barack Obama's keynote address 2004 Democratic National Convention keynote address thumb|Barack Obama delivering the keynote address State Senator Barack Obama, the Illinois Democratic candidate for United States Senate, delivered the convention's keynote address on Tuesday, July 27, 2004. His unexpected landslide victory in the March 2004 Illinois U.S. Senate Democratic primary had made him overnight a rising star within the national Democratic Party, started speculation about a presidential future, and led to the reissue of his memoir, Dreams from My Father. His keynote address, although not carried by the commercial broadcast television networks, was well received, which further elevated his status within the Democratic Party and led to his reissued memoir becoming a bestseller. As the keynote speaker, Obama set the tone for the party platform. His speech, proclaiming the unnecessary and artificial divides in American culture and politics, was reminiscent of John Edwards's "Two Americas" stump speech: "There's not a liberal America and a conservative America—there's the United States of America." Obama emphasized the importance of unity, and made veiled jabs at the Bush administration and the news media's perceived oversimplification and diversionary use of wedge issues: "We worship an awesome God in the blue states, and we don't like federal agents poking around in our libraries in the red states. We coach Little League in the blue states, and yes, we've got some gay friends in the red states. There are patriots who opposed the war in Iraq, and there are patriots who supported the war in Iraq. We are one people, all of us pledging allegiance to the Stars and Stripes, all of us defending the United States of America."Barack Obama 2004 Democratic National Convention Keynote Address https://www.americanrhetoric.com/speeches/convention2004/barackobama2004dnc.htm American Rhetoric July 7, 2021 Obama noted his interracial and international heritage: he was born in Honolulu, Hawaii to a Kenyan immigrant father and a white mother from Kansas. He emphasized the power of education, recounting the privilege of attending the exclusive Punahou School and Harvard Law School despite his family's poverty, and criticized the perception that poor black youths who read books are "acting white." He went on to describe his successful career in law and politics while raising a family in Chicago. "In no other country on Earth is my story even possible", Obama proclaimed. Towards the end of his speech, he emphasized the importance of hope in the American saga, and he illustrated how that hope manifested itself in the lives of John Kerry, John Edwards, and even his own personal life, as "a skinny kid with a funny name who believes that America has a place for him too." According to Obama, the "audacity of hope" is "God's greatest gift" to Americans, allowing him to feel optimistic that the lives of average Americans can be improved with the right governmental policies. Following the speech political commentator Chris Matthews rightly predicted "I just saw the first black president".http://www.completeobamaspeecharchive.com/keynote.html Complete Obama Speech Archive: Keynote Address at 2004 Democratic National Convention February 12, 2009 https://web.archive.org/web/20100519215452/http://completeobamaspeecharchive.com/keynote.html May 19, 2010 dead Edwards' address Two Americas Not yet formally nominated for the vice presidency, John Edwards took the stage at the convention to give the first major national speech of his political career.March 2007 Delegates raised red-and-white vertical "Edwards" banners and chanted his name. The theme of Edwards's address was the divide between the "two Americas", his populist message throughout the primary campaign and now one embraced by Kerry.March 2007 He tied the division to his own roots in North Carolina, and introduced his family to the audience. Edwards addressed his parents from the podium: "You taught me the values that I carry in my heart: faith, family, responsibility, opportunity for everyone. You taught me that there's dignity and honor in a hard day's work. You taught me to always look out for our neighbors, to never look down on anybody, and treat everybody with respect." Edwards went on to define the two Americas he claimed to exist, one for the rich and one for the poor, and repeated several times that "It doesn't have to be that way."https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A22230-2004Jul28.html Text:Sen. John Edwards Speech to DNC October 20, 2007 The Washington Post July 28, 2004 He called for one health care system, equal in quality to the coverage received by senators and other elected officials, and promised to establish a Patients' Bill of Rights. Edwards proposed one public school system for all, arguing that "None of us believe that the quality of a child's education should be controlled by where they live or the affluence of their community." He appealed for the end of the two economies, "one for people who are set for life, they know their kids and grand-kids are going to be just fine, and then one for most Americans, people who live paycheck to paycheck." Edwards also stated how the Democrats expected to pay for their agenda: "We're going to roll back – we're going to roll back the tax cuts for the wealthiest Americans. And we're going to close corporate loopholes. We're going to cut government contractors and wasteful spending. We can move this country forward without passing the burden to our children and our grandchildren." Many pundits noted that while Edwards's charismatic style was in evidence, he had rushed through the speech, ending several minutes earlier than planned.March 2007 The delegates in the FleetCenter, however, were enraptured, and Edwards led them several times in a statement-response chant: "Hope is on the way." This, and the general upbeat tone of the addressMarch 2007, was a response to attacks by the Bush campaign claiming that Kerry and Edwards were pessimistic and cynical; it was altered and echoed the next day in the more detailed speech of John Kerry: "Help is on the way." Results of delegate voting In the days before the convention started, the other candidates withdrew, freed their delegates and officially endorsed Kerry.March 2007 All the delegates voted to ratify this decision and vote for Kerry, except those of Kucinich, who attempted to vote for Kucinich anyway. Many states refused to let them do so, and only permitted them to register abstentions.March 2007 The final tally went thus: President Democratic National Convention presidential vote, 2004http://www.thegreenpapers.com/P04/D.phtml Democratic Convention 2004 April 13, 2008 The Green Papers January 9, 2008 https://web.archive.org/web/20080109152443/http://www.thegreenpapers.com/P04/D.phtml dead CandidateVotesPercentage John Kerry 4,253 98.40% Dennis Kucinich 43 0.99% Abstentions 26 0.60% Totals 4,322 100.00% Vice president John Edwards was chosen by acclamation. Kerry's address thumb|300px|Kerry and others aboard a boat in Boston Harbor during the convention thumb Prior to his speech, John Kerry's daughter spoke about her father. After this, a video played, showing highlights from Kerry's life, including his birth in Colorado, his childhood in New England, the travels with his diplomat father to post-World War II Germany, and his service in Vietnam's Mekong Delta, interspersed with clips of Kerry speaking and narrated voice overs. After the video's conclusion, former U.S. Senator Max Cleland delivered a speech proclaiming that the global conflict and active wars in Afghanistan and Iraq required a decorated military hero such as Kerry in the White House. This concluded with Kerry's entrance, where he made a military salute and announced, "I'm John Kerry, and I'm reporting for duty!" Kerry then accepted the nomination for president. Democrats reacted positively to John Kerry's acceptance speech.Jodi Wilgoren David Halbfinger THE 2004 CAMPAIGN: REACTION; Democrats Across the Board Are Pleased July 31, 2004 https://www.nytimes.com/2004/07/31/us/the-2004-campaign-reaction-democrats-across-the-board-are-pleased.html?pagewanted=print January 18, 2010 The New York Times With Democrats strongly opposed to the Bush administration, John Kerry spent most of his speech appealing to independent voters and to swing voters. He promised to train 40,000 new active duty troops, to implement all the recommendations of the 9/11 Commission,https://www.nytimes.com/2004/07/29/politics/campaign/29TEXT-KERRY.html?pagewanted=all&pagewanted=print 'We Have It in Our Power to Change the World Again' July 29, 2004 The New York Times to cut the national deficit in half within four years, to cut middle class taxes while repealing the Bush administration's tax cuts for those making more than US$200,000 per year, to stop privatization of Social Security, and to expand stem cell research. On the day after Kerry's speech, George W. Bush's reelection campaign launched a counterattack on the claims and promises made by Kerry and others at the convention. At a campaign stop in Springfield, Missouri, Bush told a crowd: "My opponent has good intentions, but intentions do not always translate to results", attacking Senator Kerry's record in the Senate.President's Remarks in Springfield, Missouri Remarks https://georgewbush-whitehouse.archives.gov/news/releases/2004/07/20040730-3.html January 15, 2010 Other speakers Schedule of the 2004 Democratic National Convention In addition to the Obama, Edwards, and Kerry addresses, there were also speeches from former presidents Bill Clinton and Jimmy Carter, former vice-president and 2000 presidential nominee Al Gore, New York Senator and former First Lady Hillary Clinton, Massachusetts senator Ted Kennedy, former candidate Al Sharpton, and presidential advisory counsel on HIV/AIDS Denise Stokes. Ron Reagan, son of Republican president Ronald Reagan, also spoke at the convention, blaming Bush's hijacking of his father's legacy for his switch in support to the Democrats. Lack of convention 'bounce' Polls conducted after Kerry's speech showed no significant increase of support (or "convention bounce") for the Democratic nominee's bid to unseat President Bush.https://www.cbsnews.com/news/no-convention-bounce-for-kerry/ No Convention Bounce For Kerry CBS News February 11, 2009 September 4, 2013 Democrats ascribed the disappointing numbers to an unusually polarized electorate that year with few undecided voters, though Bush did get a small bounce out of his convention.Page Susan https://www.usatoday.com/news/politicselections/nation/president/2004-08-02-poll-cover_x.htm So why did Bush, not Kerry, get the bounce? Usatoday.Com August 3, 2004 September 4, 2013 Demonstrations and protests thumb|Presidential candidate Dennis Kucinich speaks out against the Iraq War. thumb|Tom Hayden urges anti-war activists to continue efforts to organize. There were a number of demonstrations during the 2004 Democratic National Convention.https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna5551003 Boston protests draw police action – politics NBC News July 29, 2004 September 4, 2013 Protesters included members of the Bl(A)ck Tea Society, a group of self-described anarchists, who opposed the war in Iraq. Approximately 400 members of the Bl(A)ck Tea Society marched through Boston's financial district and headed toward the FleetCenter, where they set fire to an effigy that showed George Bush on one side and John Kerry on the other. That evening a group of peace activists held a peaceful rally a few hundred feet from the FleetCenter. Local Boston politicians were joined by presidential candidate Dennis Kucinich and long-time activist and California state senator Tom Hayden in a call to end the occupation of and to remove U.S. troops from Iraq and to bring in an international peacekeeping force. Also, Hayden and Kucinich called on anti-war Democrats to support John Kerry against George Bush in the general election.https://www.nytimes.com/2004/07/28/politics/campaign/28left.html The Constituencies: Liberals; From Chicago '68 to Boston, The Left Comes Full Circle The New York Times July 28, 2004 September 4, 2013 The largest protest was held on the Sunday evening before the convention was set to start. An estimated 2,000 anti-war members marched at the same time as approximately 1,000 anti-abortion activists, and the two groups crossed paths en route to the convention center. The following day, this anti-abortion group had its permit revoked to protest outside of the Kerry family home. They challenged the decision, but it was upheld by a federal judge, who sided with the Secret Service in determining that the protest would be too close to Kerry's home, potentially endangering the presidential candidate.https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna5510739 Anti-abortion groups lose suit over protests – politics NBC News July 26, 2004 September 4, 2013 See also 2004 Green National Convention 2004 Libertarian National Convention 2004 Republican National Convention 2004 Democratic Party presidential primaries 2004 United States presidential election John Kerry 2004 presidential campaign List of Democratic National Conventions United States presidential nominating convention History of the United States Democratic Party References 30em Mendell, David March 17, 2004 Obama routs Democratic foes; Ryan tops crowded GOP field; Hynes, Hull fall far short across state Chicago Tribune 1 http://www.chicagotribune.com/technology/chi-0403170332mar17,0,6048572.story September 13, 2012 Davey, Monica March 18, 2004 As quickly as overnight, a Democratic star is born The New York Times A20 https://www.nytimes.com/2004/03/18/us/as-quickly-as-overnight-a-democratic-star-is-born.html?pagewanted=all September 13, 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20190412151328/https://www.nytimes.com/2004/03/18/us/as-quickly-as-overnight-a-democratic-star-is-born.html?pagewanted=all April 12, 2019 live Howlett, Debbie March 19, 2004 Dems see a rising star in Illinois Senate candidate USA Today A04 https://www.usatoday.com/news/politicselections/nation/2004-03-18-obama-usat_x.htm September 13, 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20090319113855/http://www.usatoday.com/news/politicselections/nation/2004-03-18-obama-usat_x.htm March 19, 2009 live Scheiber, Noam May 31, 2004 Race against history. Barack Obama's miraculous campaign The New Republic 21–22, 24–26 (cover story) http://www.tnr.com/article/race-against-history-0 September 13, 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20100513002815/http://www.tnr.com/article/race-against-history-0 May 13, 2010 live Finnegan, William May 31, 2004 The Candidate. How far can Barack Obama go? The New Yorker 32–38 https://www.newyorker.com/archive/2004/05/31/040531fa_fact1?currentPage=all September 13, 2012 Dionne Jr., E.J. June 25, 2004 In Illinois, a star prepares The Washington Post A29 https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A4062-2004Jun24.html September 13, 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20080726132936/http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A4062-2004Jun24.html July 26, 2008 live Scott, Janny May 18, 2008 The story of Obama, written by Obama The New York Times A1 https://www.nytimes.com/2008/05/18/us/politics/18memoirs.html?pagewanted=all September 13, 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20190412152835/https://www.nytimes.com/2008/05/18/us/politics/18memoirs.html?pagewanted=all April 12, 2019 live Mendell, David August 14, 2007 Obama: from promise to power Amistad/HarperCollins 235–259 978-0-06-085820-9 https://archive.org/details/obamafrompromise00mend_0/page/235 August 2, 2004 Star power. Showtime: Some are on the rise; others have long been fixtures in the firmament. A galaxy of bright Democratic lights Newsweek 48–51 http://www.newsweek.com/id/54728/output/print September 13, 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20131010065213/http://www.chicagomag.com/Chicago-Magazine/June-2007/The-Speech/ October 10, 2013 live Samuel, Terence August 2, 2004 A shining star named Obama. How a most unlikely politician became a darling of the Democrats U.S. News & World Report 25 https://www.usnews.com/usnews/news/articles/040802/2obama.htm September 13, 2012 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20081206100640/http://www.usnews.com/usnews/news/articles/040802/2obama.htm December 6, 2008 Lizza, Ryan The Natural. Why is Barack Obama generating more excitement among Democrats than John Kerry? The Atlantic Monthly 30, 33 https://www.theatlantic.com/doc/200409/lizza September 13, 2012 September 2004 https://web.archive.org/web/20080515000350/http://www.theatlantic.com/doc/200409/lizza May 15, 2008 live Davey, Monica July 26, 2004 A surprise Senate contender reaches his biggest stage yet The New York Times A1 https://www.nytimes.com/2004/07/26/us/the-speaker-a-surprise-senate-contender-reaches-his-biggest-stage-yet.html September 13, 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20110511230737/http://www.nytimes.com/2004/07/26/us/the-speaker-a-surprise-senate-contender-reaches-his-biggest-stage-yet.html May 11, 2011 live Leibovich, Mark July 27, 2004 The other man of the hour The Washington Post C1 https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A16606-2004Jul26.html September 13, 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20080516071433/http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A16606-2004Jul26.html May 16, 2008 live Milligan, Susan July 27, 2004 In Obama, Democrats see their future The Boston Globe B8 http://archive.boston.com/news/local/articles/2004/07/27/in_obama_democrats_see_their_future/ September 13, 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20081218181835/http://www.boston.com/news/local/articles/2004/07/27/in_obama_democrats_see_their_future/ December 18, 2008 live Seelye, Katharine Q. July 28, 2004 Illinois Senate nominee speaks of encompassing unity The New York Times A1 https://www.nytimes.com/2004/07/28/politics/campaign/28blacks.html https://web.archive.org/web/20060624052131/http://www.nytimes.com/2004/07/28/politics/campaign/28blacks.html June 24, 2006 September 13, 2012 Broder, David S. July 28, 2004 Democrats focus on healing divisions; Addressing convention, newcomers set themes The Washington Post A1 https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A17865-2004Jul27.html September 13, 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20080726123253/http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A17865-2004Jul27.html July 26, 2008 live Bing, Jonathan McClintock, Pamela July 29, 2004 Auds resist charms of Dem stars; Convention sees tepid ratings Variety 1 https://variety.com/2004/biz/markets-festivals/auds-resist-charms-of-dem-stars-1117908388/ September 13, 2012 Mendell, David August 14, 2007 Obama: from promise to power Amistad/HarperCollins 272–285 978-0-06-085820-9 https://archive.org/details/obamafrompromise00mend_0/page/272 External links Unofficial Convention Website (archived) Democratic Party Platform of 2004 at The American Presidency Project Kerry Nomination Acceptance Speech for President at DNC (transcript) at The American Presidency Project Official FleetCenter website Complete text, audio, video of Barack Obama's DNC Address AmericanRhetoric.com Video of Kerry nomination acceptance speech for President at DNC (via YouTube) Audio of Kerry nomination acceptance speech for President at DNC Video of Edwards nomination acceptance speech for Vice President at DNC (via YouTube) Audio of Edwards nomination acceptance speech for Vice President at DNC Transcript of Edwards nomination acceptance speech for Vice President at DNC 2000Los Angeles Democratic National Conventions 2008Denver Category:Democratic National Conventions Category:West End, Boston Democratic National Convention Category:Conventions in Boston Category:Political events in Massachusetts Democratic National Convention Category:Massachusetts Democratic Party Democratic National Convention Democratic National Convention Category:2000s political conferences