2004 Presidential Campaign Blog

2004 Republican National Convention Web Site

NEW YORK -The 2004 Republican National Convention today unveiled a newly designed web site at www.GOPconvention.com where the American public can watch gavel-to-gavel live webcasts, access exclusive web cam angles of the floor, participate in video chats with program participants, and access a "W" blog page that will follow President Bush in the days leading up to his arrival in New York City.

Americans can take part in the new interactive site by voting on their favorite photo of the day, or grab a "backstage" pass to see web exclusive video of convention events, party leaders and delegates. The site will also launch "Win an NBA Game Ball" contest to enter any individual who signs up for e-mail updates during convention week in a raffle to win a NBA Game Ball signed by program participants.

"We want to make the 2004 Republican National Convention a truly national event and there is no better way to give Americans full access to the experience and excitement of the convention than through www.GOPconvention.com," said Bill Harris, CEO of the 2004 Republican National Convention. "The more that Americans feel a part of the convention, the more they will know about the president's vision to build a safer world and a more hopeful America. A greater sense of ownership will encourage them take part in the nation's political process."

Americans can stay on top of important developments and convention news throughout the day. At GOP Rewind, Americans can access 60-second video news clips recapping the previous night's speakers. Fifty-five individualized state pages will feature daily delegate diaries and radio actualities for local news outlets, while the Spanish page will feature Spanish webchats and an audio feed that will simultaneously translate the program into Spanish.

The Republican National Convention will be held for the first time ever in New York City at Madison Square Garden from August 30 through September 2, 2004. Nearly 50,000 visitors are expected to visit the city for the event.

John Kerry Town Hall Meeting on Health Care

Anoka, MN - Democratic Presidential nominee John Kerry Thursday held a town hall meeting with voters from the Twin-cities area where he emphasized the Kerry-Edwards plan to expand access to affordable health care and bring down costs for families and businesses.

"Taxing Our Economy" New Bush-Cheney '04 TV Ad

Bush-Cheney '04 Announces New Television Advertisement

ARLINGTON, VA -- Today, Bush-Cheney '04 announced the release of the campaign's newest television advertisement, "Taxing Our Economy."  The new advertisement highlights John Kerry’s record of voting for higher taxes on the middle class throughout his career in the U.S. Senate. “Taxing Our Economy” will run on national cable and in select local markets. A radio version of the advertisement will also run in select local markets.

Script for "Taxing Our Economy"

President Bush: 

I'm George W. Bush and I approve this message.

Voice Over:

Now Kerry promises …

John Kerry: 

We won’t raise taxes on the middle class.

Voice Over: 

Really??? John Kerry’s voted to raise gas taxes on the middle class …10 times… He supported a 50 cent a gallon gas tax increase. Higher taxes on middle class parents… 18 times. He voted to raise taxes on social security benefits. 98 votes for tax increases. There’s what Kerry says and then there’s what Kerry does.

"Issues" New Kerry-Edwards 2004 TV Ad

NEW AD: “George Bush. Denounce the smear. Get back to the issues.”

Washington, DC – With the Bush-Cheney campaign more intent on using its tired, old smear tactics than addressing the concerns of the American people, the Kerry-Edwards campaign Sunday unveiled a new television ad exposing the recycled Bush-Cheney attack campaign and urging the president to give the American people what they deserve – a discussion about the issues they face every day.

After four years of failed Bush policies, middle-class Americans are struggling. Good paying jobs have disappeared in record numbers. Health care costs have skyrocketed. American soldiers are fighting in Iraq, and America has failed to become as safe as we can be.

Yet even with so much work to do, the president is not talking about solutions. Instead, he and Karl Rove have flipped back to the well-worn smear page of their campaign playbook, last used against John McCain in 2000, and stood silent while their backers attack the service and honor of John Kerry and America’s veterans.

“This Bush backed smear is a case of Déjà vu for those who follow Rove and the president, but it is not what the American people deserve,” said Kerry-Edwards campaign manager Mary Beth Cahill. “John Kerry knows America can do better than lies and smear. That is why he and John Edwards have released a detailed plan to make America stronger at home and respected in the word. Their plan will strengthen the economy for middle-class families, create and keep good paying jobs in America, cut health care costs and make America stronger and more secure. That is what voters want to hear, not lies and smears, and it’s time the president realized that.”

In the 2000 Republican primary, then candidate Bush refused to disavow or condemn hateful and vicious attacks on McCain’s military record. The president is now doing the exact same thing – sitting silent while “Swift Boat Veterans for Bush” smear Kerry’s military service with proven lies.

Despite McCain calling the attacks on Kerry “dishonest and dishonorable,” Bush has yet to denounce them, just like he has yet to articulate his plan and vision for a second term.

The new Kerry-Edwards ad is titled “Issues” and can be downloaded at www.johnkerry.com/

THE FACTS:

Title: “Issues”
Type:  30 sec TV
Date:  8/23/04
Paid for By: Kerry for President

“Issues”

TEXT OF AD:

John Kerry:  “I’m John Kerry and I approve this message.”

Narrator: “American soldiers are fighting in Iraq.”

Narrator: “Families struggle to afford health care.”

Narrator: “Jobs heading overseas.”

Narrator: “Instead of solutions, George Bush’s campaign supports a front group attacking John Kerry’s military record.  Attacks called smears, lies.  Sen. McCain calls them dishonest.”

Narrator: “Bush smeared John McCain four years ago.  Now, he’s doing it to John Kerry.”

Narrator: “George Bush:  Denounce the smear.  Get back to the issues.  America deserves better.”

George W. Bush "Heart and Soul of America" Bus Tour

President Bush made a stop at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul, Minnesota on August 18, 2004.

The huge crowd of over 15,000 supporters cheered as the jumbotron showed the President's campaign bus entering the arena tunnel and then driving onto the floor where the President stepped out and waved to the crowd.

He was introduced by St. Paul Mayor Randy Kelly, a Democrat who endorsed the President for re-election. President Bush received one of many standing ovations when he stated "I believe the heart and soul of America is found in places like St. Paul, Minnesota."

Photos Video

John Edwards Olympic Opening Ceremonies Watch Party

"I got to tell you something, you guys are worth coming here for," said John Edwards when he traveled to the Rosemount High School Gymnasium to open the two-week "A Stronger America Begins at Home: The Path to Prosperity" Tour. Former Governor Wendell Anderson (1956 Olymplic silver medalist in hockey) introduced John Edwards, who returned to Minnesota for the first time as the Vice Presidential nominee.

“Victory" New Bush-Cheney '04 TV Ad

Bush-Cheney '04 Launches New Television Advertisement

ARLINGTON, VA - Today, Bush-Cheney '04 announced the release of the campaign's newest television advertisement, "Victory."  The advertisement will run on national cable during Olympic and sports programming and on a health club TV network in more than 250 fitness centers nationwide during the last two weeks of August.  This marks the first time that a presidential candidate has advertised in health clubs and is part of a continuing effort to reach voters in new ways.  The health club TV network, operated by ClubCom, Inc., runs on full size TVs and personal view screens in ClubCom's fitness club partners.

Script for “Victory"

President Bush:

I’m George W. Bush and I approve this message.

Voice Over:

In 1972...there were 40 democracies in the world. Today...120. Freedom is spreading throughout the world like a sunrise. And this Olympics... there will be two more free nations… And two fewer terrorist regimes. With strength, resolve and courage, democracy will triumph over terror. And, hope will defeat hatred.

Graphic:

President Bush.  Moving America Forward.

“Solemn Duty" New Bush-Cheney '04 TV Ad

Bush-Cheney '04 Launches New Television Advertisement

ARLINGTON, VA - Today, Bush-Cheney '04 announced the release of the campaign's newest television advertisement, "Solemn Duty."  The new advertisement emphasizes President George W. Bush's most solemn duty - to keep America safe and bring terrorists to justice. The ad will run on national cable and in select local markets.

Script for “Solemn Duty"

President Bush:

I’m George W.  Bush and I approve this message.

Voice Over:

My most solemn duty is to lead our nation to protect ourselves.  I can’t imagine the great agony of a mom or a dad having to make the decision about which child to pick up first on September the 11th.  We cannot hesitate, we cannot yield, we must do everything in our power to bring an enemy to justice before they hurt us again.

Graphic:

President Bush

Moving America Forward

"Ownership" New Bush-Cheney '04 TV Ad

Bush-Cheney '04 Announces New Television Advertisement

ARLINGTON, VA -- Today, Bush-Cheney '04 announced the release of the campaign's newest television advertisement, "Ownership."  The new ad highlights President George W. Bush's vision for ushering in an era of ownership.  President Bush will discuss his policies to encourage Americans to own their own home, health care plan, business or a piece of their retirement at an “Ask President Bush” event at Northern Virginia Community College at 10:00 AM this morning in Annandale, Virginia.  The ad will run on national cable and select local markets.

The ad will be available at www.georgewbush.com.

Script for "Ownership"

:30 seconds

President Bush:

I’m George W Bush and I approve this message.

One of the most important parts of a reform agenda is to encourage people to own something.  Own their own home, own their own business, own their own health care plan, or own a piece of their retirement.  Reforms that trust the people, reforms that say government must stand on the side of people.   Because I understand if you own something, you have a vital stake in the future of America.

George W. Bush "Heart and Soul of America" Bus Tour

Looking a bit like a mountainous desert terrain, the piles of gravel that make up the Southern Minnesota Construction Company Quarry served as the setting for the President's "Heart and Soul of America" bus tour stop in Mankato.

The President asked for the vote and emphasized how important the grassroots efforts were to help him win this election.. He said that he wanted to be President for four more years "To make our country safer, to make our economy stronger, and to make the future brighter and better for every single citizen."