The Convention!!

JOHN KERRY 2004

" John Kerry Reporting for Duty"

The 2004 Democratic National Convention

How did the 2004 Democratic National Convention Work??

• Democratic delegates supporting John Kerry met in Boston on July 26th through 29th 2004


• The number of delegates sent is determined using the proportional system
  
• The proportional system is where the percentage of party members who voted for Kerry in the primaries represents the percentage of delegates at the Democratic convention supporting Kerry
  
• The convention is made up of speeches, discussion of party issues, and a final speech given by the Democratic Presidential nominee
  

What happened at the Convention?????

• New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson was chair of the Convention


• Lottie Shackelford, Bill Clinton's former Presidential Advisor, was vice chairwoman


• Illinois Senator Barack Obama gave a speech


• The Nominating Convention Presidential Vote took place. All delegates voted for Kerry except for 43 who were in favor of Kucinich


• John Edwards was elected Vice President through acclamation ( a voice vote)
  

What did they discuss at this Convention??? (the themes from each day of the Convention)

• Numero Uno: "Plan for America's Future"- the optimism brought by John Kerry


• Numero Dos: "A Lifetime of Strength and Service"- the biography and path to the Presidential Nomination of John Kerry


• Numero Tres: "A Stronger, More Secure America"- the war on terror and the strengthening of homeland security


• Numero Quatro: "Stronger at Home, Respected in the World"- agenda of the party to secure borders, improve the country's welfare, and improve international cooperation
  

The Partayyy Platform! whoop whoop!

At the Convention, the Democrats created a 43 page document detailing the goals of the Democrat Party. The main theme of their platform was:

"Strong at Home, Respected in the World."

There were four main parts to the platform.

#1: Strong, Respected America- defeat terrorism, world peace and security, elimination of weapons of mass destruction, strengthened military, energy independence, stronger homeland security
#2: Strong, Growing Economy- represent the middle class, creating better jobs

#3: Strong, Healthy Families- reform health care, protect the environment, improve education

#4: Strong, American Community- diversity of nation, upholding civil rights

Let's Talk about....JOHN EDWARDS!!!

• He was born in SC and raised in Robbins, NC


• First in family to go to college


• He graduated from NC State and later received his law degree from UNC Chapel Hill


• After being a lawyer, Edwards was elected to the Senate in 1998


• Edwards preaches equality for the middle class, better schools, better health care, and environmental conservation

Kerry picked Edwards because...

He was lookin' for a man who could win over the Republican states and bring those swing states over to the Democratic side. Many say Edwards got the VP spot because of name recognition. Edwards beat out US Rep. Richard Gepharat from Missouri and Governor Thomas Vilsack from Iowa.