411 REFERENCE · Wikipedia
2000 Republican National Convention
Reference material by Wikipedia contributors. This retains its source identity and is not 411 news reporting.
U.S. political event held in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
February 2024
February 2026
2000 2000 Republican National Convention Logo.jpg 74px Republican RP2000.png 125 RV2000.png 125 Nominees Bush and Cheney July 31 – August 3, 2000 First Union Center Philadelphia, Pennsylvania George W. Bush of Texas Dick Cheney of Wyoming John McCain & Colin PowellDonald Trump Jr. RNC speech, 2020 https://ballotpedia.org/Donald_Trump_Jr._RNC_speech,_2020 Ballotpedia August 27, 2026 en 1 2,066 1,034 Bush (TX): 2,058 (99.61%)Keyes (MD): 6 (0.29%)McCain (AZ): 1 (0.05%)Abstention: 1 (0.05%) 1996 2004 Cheney (WY): 100% (Acclamation)
The 2000 Republican National Convention convened at the First Union Center (now the Xfinity Mobile Arena) in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, from July 31 to August 3, 2000. The 2,066 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.
Background
2000 United States presidential election
thumb|The First Union Center, now known as the Xfinity Mobile Arena, was the site of the 2000 Republican National Convention
Bush, eldest son of the 41st president, was identifiedFebruary 2023 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.February 2023
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.
Republican National Convention presidential vote, 2000http://www.thegreenpapers.com/PCC/R.html Republican Convention 2000 2008-10-29 The Green Papers https://web.archive.org/web/20081006231736/http://www.thegreenpapers.com/PCC/R.html 6 October 2008 liveCandidateVotesPercentage George W. Bush 2,058 99.61% Alan Keyes 6 0.29% John McCain 1 0.05% Abstentions 1 0.05% Totals 2,066 100.00%
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.
Cheney's acceptance speech
Cheney's convention address was the first to include sustained attacks on Vice President Al Gore, the presumptive Democratic nominee—whereas most of the speakers who came before him criticized the vice president only briefly, or without mentioning his name. (This was part of the Bush campaign's strategy to "change the tone" in national politics by moving beyond the division and bitterness of recent partisan discourse.) Cheney, however, was given latitude to lob various direct attacks on Clinton and Gore, and even reprised a line that Gore had used in his 1992 convention address attacking the first President Bush: "It is time for them to go."
This was the first vice-presidential acceptance speech in recent memory to be held the night before the presidential nominee's address. The standard practice at the time was for both nominees to give their speeches the same night. Cheney's speech began a tradition of vice-presidential nominees headlining their own night at the convention; two weeks later, at the Democratic convention, that party's vice-presidential nominee, Joe Lieberman, also spoke on the third night as opposed to the final night.
Bush's acceptance speech
In his speech, Bush attacked the Clinton administration on defense and military topics, high taxes, underfunded schools, high pollution, and a lack of dignity and respect for the presidency. He attacked Clinton's military policies, claiming that American troops were "not ready for duty, sir." He also claimed the Clinton administration had failed to provide leadership, saying, "They've had their chance. They have not led. We will."
Speakers
Schedule of the 2000 Republican National Convention
Major speakers included nominees Bush and Cheney; their wives Laura Bush and Lynn Cheney (who continued the then-recently-established tradition of convention speeches by spouses of nominees); Colin Powell and John McCain (who each delivered keynote speeches).
Public reception
In July 1999, the LGBT+ community of Philadelphia held two protests on July 29 and 30. They did this in objection to Philadelphia hosting the Republican National Convention.August 1–7, 1999. Philadelphia Gay News, 1999, Special Collections Research Center, Temple University Libraries. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The protests resulted in the arrest of over 300 people.
The initial protest was not target to the Republican Party specifically, rather, it was a call to change from both Republican and Democratic parties. The protesters felt that both political parties for the most part, ignored the needs and issues surrounding the LGBT community.August 8–14, 1999. Philadelphia Gay News, 1999, Special Collections Research Center, Temple University Libraries. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
See also
2000 Republican Party presidential primaries
History of the Republican Party (United States)
List of Republican National Conventions
United States presidential nominating convention
2000 Democratic National Convention
2000 United States presidential election
George W. Bush 2000 presidential campaign
References
External links
George W. Bush's nomination acceptance speech for President at RNC (transcript) at The American Presidency Project
Republican Party platform of 2000 at The American Presidency Project
PBS Online NewsHour: Republican Convention 2000 https://web.archive.org/web/20131105051629/http://www.pbs.org/newshour/election2000/gopconvention/ 2013-11-05 , archive including transcripts, analysis, interviews, photographs, and streaming audio/video.
CNN AllPolitics: Republican Convention 2000, archived facts, news, speech transcripts, party platform, and links
Rocca, Mo. Report From Philly: What's Wrong With Rabble Rousing? A Correspondent For "The Daily Show with Jon Stewart" Tried His Best To Ruffle Feathers At The Convention. A Web Exclusive By Mo Rocca. Newsweek.com. Aug 14, 2000.
Video of Bush nomination acceptance speech for President at RNC (via YouTube)
Audio of Bush nomination acceptance speech for President at RNCOctober 2021 InternetArchiveBot yes
Video of Cheney nomination acceptance speech for Vice President at RNC (via YouTube)
Audio of Cheney nomination acceptance speech for Vice President at RNCOctober 2021 InternetArchiveBot yes
Transcript of Cheney nomination acceptance speech for Vice President at RNC
1996San Diego, California Republican National Conventions 2004New York, New York
Republican National Convention
2000 Republican
2000
Category:2000 in Philadelphia
Category:July 2000 in the United States
Category:August 2000 in the United States
Category:George W. Bush
Category:Dick Cheney
Category:John McCain