| Yesterday the US Republican Party convention opened in New York. Four days later, he will approve 58-year-old George W. Bush as his candidate for a second term as US President. (Democrats held their convention in Boston a month ago, formally nominating 60-year-old John Kerry.) Republicans are holding their convention in New York for the first time in their century-and-a-half history. Timing and place are key -- two months before the election and on the eve of the three-year anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, the party is reminding voters of Bush's resolve in the fight against terrorism. The motto of the convention is “Keeping Promises: Building a Safer World and a More Optimistic America,” and the theme of the first day is “A Courageous America.” Yesterday Bush was compared in speeches to the Americans Lincoln and Reagan, even to the Englishman Churchill.
The Madison Square Garden palace is guarded by 10 thousand police officers (there are 36 thousand in total in the city), seven helicopters, 26 boats, 181 dogs. Delegates are prohibited from bringing weapons, explosives, firecrackers, knives, strollers, umbrellas and drinks into the hall. The Republicans spent $300 million on the convention. But Mayor Michael Bloomberg hopes that the 50 thousand guests who filled New York (2,509 delegates, 15 thousand journalists, party activists) will generate a profit of 250 million.
On Sunday, between 120 and 500 thousand demonstrators took to the city streets to protest against Bush and his convention, and 350 people were arrested. Peggy, John Kerry's sister, who lives in New York and defends the right of American women to have an abortion, took part in the marches.
Today at the convention, Laura, Bush's wife, will speak about her husband's sense of duty to his country. Tomorrow, California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger will talk about the “American Dream.” Bush will fly to New York on Wednesday and on Thursday will agree to run for president again. At this moment, 120 thousand inflatable balloons and hundreds of kilograms of confetti will fall from the ceiling on Bush and Laura. Andrey ZLOBIN
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