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With his presidency on the line, George W. Bush will officially kick off his re-election campaign in the Big Apple next August, when Republicans nominate him as their party’s candidate at the 2004 Republican Convention. New York, which has been the site of several Democratic conventions, will host its first-ever Republican convention from August 28 through September 3.
The party has its sights set on taking New York in the presidential election. A Republican presidential candidate hasn’t won New York since 1984 when President Ronald Reagan won re-election over Democratic challenger Walter Mondale.
Still, party leaders remain optimistic, hoping the state’s Republican leadership, including New York Governor George Pataki and New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, will provide them with the momentum they need to win.
“Given the success of [Republican] Governor Pataki and the popularity of George W. Bush, we feel the Republicans have a good chance of winning New York,” says Rory Smith, spokesperson for the 2004 Republican Convention.
In addition to nominating President Bush as their candidate, the Republicans will also use the convention to discuss issues, such as national security and health care, that are of great importance to the American public. They are holding the convention later in the year than they have in decades to coincide with the third anniversary of September 11, 2001. Democrats will hold their convention in July. The challenging party traditionally holds their convention first.
Read more from Scholastic Student Reporters:
Elephants Take New York (Republican Elephants, That Is!)
Republicans to Showcase New York at Convention
Republican Convention a Boon to New York, Says Mayor Bloomberg
