tagged w/ Republican National Convention
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Mere hours after Hurricane Gustav came ashore, the two women expressed sympathy and support for Louisianans bracing themselves for Gustav.
"America stands with you during this trying time," Cindy McCain, wife of the presumptive Republican presidential nominee Sen. John McCain, said.
John McCain Sunday asked Republican party officials to curtail the activities at the convention in St. Paul, Minnesota, out of concern for the victims of the storms and asked delegates to "put aside our political hats and put on our American hats" and help those hurt by the storm.
McCain's campaign manager Rick Davis emphasized Monday that all political activity will be suspended for the time being.
"We hope to regain our schedule at some point," Davis said.Mere hours after Hurricane Gustav came ashore, the two women expressed sympathy and... more
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About 100 veterans marched in formation to the site of the Republican National Convention on Monday, hoping their experience would lend credibility to their anti-war message.
Many members of Iraq Veterans Against the War were in uniform as they pressed for a meeting with the presidential campaign of John McCain. They want McCain to back additional services for military veterans, particularly those suffering with post-combat mental health problems.
Retired Army 1st Sgt. Wes Davey, 59, of St. Paul, said he was willing to be arrested to make his point. He was led away from the march by a lone police officer, but it wasn’t immediately clear if he had been formally arrested.
Marcher Carlos Arredondo of Boston pulled a flag-draped casket carrying the uniform and boots of his son, Lance Cpl. Alexander S. Arredondo, a Marine killed in Iraq.
“As a father it is my responsibility to honor my son,” he said. “As a citizen of this country, it is my responsibility to participate” in the anti-war march.
Another veteran, Army Spc. Vincent Lenart of Gary, Ind., said he was stationed in Mosul, Iraq, for a year starting in December 2004. He said he hoped the march would get the attention of politicians.
“We have a little more credibility, because we were in the service. Many of us have been over there and actually seen war,” Lenart said.
Iraq Veterans Against the War also marched on the Democratic National Convention in Denver last week.About 100 veterans marched in formation to the site of the Republican National... more
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As Gulf Coast residents were bracing themselves for Hurricane Gustav swelling towards their shores in the form of a Category 3 storm with 135 mph winds, the White House announced President Bush no longer plans to travel to the Republican National Convention in St. Paul, Minn.As Gulf Coast residents were bracing themselves for Hurricane Gustav swelling towards... more
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ST. PAUL, Minnesota (CNN) -- Police raided a rental hall used by a group organizing protests at the Republican National Convention in St. Paul, Minnesota, on Friday.
The RNC Welcoming Committee, which describes itself as "anarchist/anti-authoritarian," accused St. Paul police of trying to disrupt their protest planned for Monday, the day the GOP convention is set to begin.
Although no one was arrested, the group said police temporarily detained and photographed at least 50 people who were inside the building.
St. Paul Police spokesman Tom Walsh said they were executing a search warrant.
"The cause for the search warrant is not public at this time," Walsh said.
As many as 30 police officers entered with guns drawn, according to witnesses in the building.
"The convergence center is simply a gathering place and is not used for illegal actions -- it is a place for workshops and trainings," a statement from the protest group said. "Tonight, we were watching films and sharing food.
"We are now accused of a simple fire code violation," the statement said.
Oddie Miller, a 19-year-old from Fort Collins, Colorado, said it was "just a space to get food, free Internet, community organization."
"There were no bombs or anything in there," Miller said.
Video at link...ST. PAUL, Minnesota (CNN) -- Police raided a rental hall used by a group organizing... more
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WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Officials with the McCain campaign and the Republican National convention are considering changing the event's agenda as Hurricane Gustav bears down on the Gulf Coast.
Sen. John McCain's campaign manager, Rick Davis, plans to meet with officials in charge of the party's convention planning in Minneapolis-St. Paul on Sunday to review the latest news on Hurricane Gustav and what their options might be and then consult with the presumptive presidential nominee to determine what changes may need to be made.
"I wouldn't call it a nightmare, but it is a very perplexing challenge," said a GOP official planning the event.
A senior McCain source said Saturday that officials are considering turning the convention into a service event, a massive telethon to raise money for the Red Cross and other agencies to help with the hurricane.
"He wants to do something service-oriented if and when the storm hits and it's as bad as its expected to be now," the McCain source said.
They are also hoping to get McCain himself to a storm-affected area as soon as possible.
McCain had suggested to a Fox News interviewer that the convention could be suspended if it seemed that a festive gathering was inappropriate in light of the destruction the storm may bring.
Video at link...WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Officials with the McCain campaign and the Republican National... more
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A unit of Clear Channel Communications Inc. will take down an anti-nuclear billboard at the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport at the request of Northwest Airlines, the advertising company said Monday.
The billboard was one of two placed by the Union of Concerned Scientists at the Twin Cities and Denver airports ahead of the Republican and Democratic National Conventions to urge the parties' presidential candidates to reduce the U.S. and Russian nuclear arsenals, said Elliott Negin, a spokesman for the group.
The ad in Minnesota reads, "When only one nuclear bomb could destroy a city like Minneapolis... We don't need 6,000." It also says, "Senator McCain: It's time to get serious about reducing the nuclear threat." And it shows a picture of the Minneapolis skyline with target crosshairs superimposed over it.
"It uses the word 'bomb' in an airport so it's not real appropriate," Hardie said. "It's probably a little unsettling to people to see that in an airport environment, particularly post 9-11."
Hardie said Clear Channel has asked the Union of Concerned Scientists to modify the ad so it doesn't intimidate passengers, and will accept a revised version if its concerns are met.
E-mails from Northwest officials to Hardie — which Negin said the union obtained from its ad agency — described the ad as anti-McCain, the GOP presidential candidate.
"I just took a look and I can see how this would be offensive/scary to some (the concept of our city in the crosshairs of a nuclear bomb) and the strong anti-McCain message. Can we remove it?" Kathleen Nelson, Northwest's regional director, wrote to Hardie.A unit of Clear Channel Communications Inc. will take down an anti-nuclear billboard... more
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Prostitution in Denver and Minneapolis will spike during the political conventions held there in the coming weeks, experts say, and online ads indicate sex workers are preparing themselves.
"Republican Convention Party Entertainment – Hostesses wanted," reads the headline of one "erotic services" ad from the Minneapolis area on Craig's List, the popular classified-ad Web site.
In the advertisement, the unnamed outfit said it was looking for "fun, outgoing" women to help entertain "High-end clients" during the convention, expected to bring tens of thousands of delegates, reporters, lobbyists and volunteers to the Twin Cities in two weeks.
The company did not respond to an emailed request for an interview. A recorded message for the phone number listed in the ad did not allow a message to be left.
In Denver, where the Democrats will hold their convention next week, a Craig's List "erotic services" ad titled "DNC Delight" beckoned, "Help me celebrate democracy," and promised a tall, blue-eyed, dirty-blond "Rebecca" will come to a visitor's room ("I only do outcalls to hotels").
In a second ad, "Rebecca" explained that she was offering a special convention rate of $350 for two hours – but to qualify, clients must "provide proof of dem. Membership."
Speaking by phone Thursday, "Rebecca" declined to give her real name and denied she performed sex acts for money. She confirmed that responses to her online ads had increased in the days leading up to next week's convention.
"We know it's going to rise," said Vednita Carter of Breaking Free, a Denver-based nonprofit which helps women and girls involved in prostitution and sex trafficking. "That's what we've been hearing from women who are involved in that life."
Crowds like those coming for the political conventions will inevitably mean a boost for the sex industry, said former prostitute Carol Leigh, a spokeswoman for the San Francisco-based sex workers-rights group Call Off Your Old Tired Ethics (COYOTE). Indeed, any convention which draws so many people boosts the prostitution business -- not just the political gatherings, said Leigh.
Police in St. Paul and Denver did not respond to requests for comment Thursday. In earlier news accounts, police spokesmen in both cities dismissed concerns that their cities' sex trades would flourish during the conventions. *continues*Prostitution in Denver and Minneapolis will spike during the political conventions... more
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Former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani will give the keynote address at the Republican National Convention next month and Democrat-turned-independent Sen. Joe Lieberman also will take center stage at the GOP gathering.Former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani will give the keynote address at the Republican... more
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Former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani will give the keynote address at the Republican National Convention next month and Democrat-turned-independent Sen. Joe Lieberman also will take center stage at the GOP gathering.
When asked about the RNC lineup, McCain's campaign manager Rick Davis said:
'the senator wanted the list of speakers to showcase the "diversity" of the Republican Party.
Former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani will give the keynote address at the Republican... more
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WASHINGTON (AP) -- Former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani will give the keynote address at the Republican National Convention next month and Democrat-turned-independent Sen. Joe Lieberman also will take center stage at the GOP gathering.
John McCain's vanquished Republican primary rivals - and a slew of potential McCain running mates - also have speaking roles at the four-day gathering in St. Paul, Minn.
President Bush, Vice President Dick Cheney, first lady Laura Bush, California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and Lieberman, who was the Democratic vice presidential nominee in 2000 and is said to be under consideration for the same role with McCain, will open the convention on Monday, Sept. 1, with speeches that focus on service.
The subsequent days will focus on reform, prosperity and peace.
Giuliani, the two-term mayor who led New York through the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks, will deliver his spotlight speech on Tuesday night. He ran for president this year but failed to win even one delegate, much less a state. He withdrew after a crushing loss in Florida, endorsed McCain the next day and has since campaigned for McCain.
Most of McCain's other former primary rivals will speak, including former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, ex-Sen. Fred Thompson of Tennessee, Kansas Sen. Sam Brownback and former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, who also is mentioned as a potential vice presidential candidates.
At least eight others whose names have been mentioned as potential running mates also are to address the convention, including governors Tim Pawlenty of Minnesota, Charlie Crist of Florida, Sarah Palin of Alaska, Jon Huntsman of Utah, Bobby Jindal of Louisiana; former Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Ridge; Meg Whitman, the former chief executive and president of eBay, and Carly Fiorina, the former chairwoman and chief executive of Hewlett-Packard Co.
McCain's vice presidential candidate is scheduled to speak on the third night of the convention, the same night McCain's wife, Cindy, will give her address. McCain will accept the nomination on the final night.WASHINGTON (AP) -- Former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani will give the keynote address... more
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Ex-Democrat Joe Lieberman will speak at this year’s Republican convention in support of the nominee of the GOP for the presidency, Senator John McCain.
Lieberman was the Democratic VP candidate only eight years ago. In recent years, however, he broke with the Democratic Party, mostly over the War in Iraq.
His result for this war resulted in him being targeted by netroots and other progressive activists. They found someone of their own, Ned LeMont, to run for Lieberman’s seat in the Senate. LeMont won the battle for the Democratic nomination for this seat. Lieberman then decided to continue his career as an Independent.
Interestingly enough, there are now rumors that Lieberman will be McCain’s running mate. If so, he would write history; it has not often happened in history that someone switches party after running for VP or president only to run for the same office again.
He would also write history in a completely different way; Democratic activists would hate him even more than they do now. They would hate him more than they hate George W. Bush. That’s historic.
As for the chances of him being McCain’s VP; I think they are not as high as some think. McCain and Lieberman on one ticket would do nothing about the age problem. Additionally, Lieberman is not someone who knows a lot about the economy. His strength is foreign policy. That’s also McCain’s strength. McCain needs someone who adds something extra to the ticket; who makes up for McCain’s weaknesses. Lieberman does not do that.Ex-Democrat Joe Lieberman will speak at this year’s Republican convention in... more
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Connecticut Sen. Joe Lieberman, the Democratic Party's vice presidential candidate in 2000 and now an independent who is one of John McCain's strongest supporters, will speak at the Republican National Convention, an official said.Connecticut Sen. Joe Lieberman, the Democratic Party's vice presidential... more
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