View source for 2008 Republican National Convention

{{short description|U.S. political event held in Saint Paul, Minnesota}}
{{use mdy dates|date=July 2021}}
{{Infobox National Political Convention
| year          = 2008
| party         = Republican
| logo          = 2008 Republican National Convention Logo.png
| logo_size     = 140px
| image         = RP2008.png
| image_size    = 125
| image2        = RV2008.png
| image_size2   = 125
| caption       = Nominees <br /> McCain and Palin
| date          = September 1–4, 2008
| venue         = [[Xcel Energy Center]]
| city          = [[Saint Paul, Minnesota]]
| speakers      = [[George W. Bush]]<br />[[Laura Bush]]<br />[[Joe Lieberman]]<br />[[Rudy Giuliani]]<br />[[Mike Huckabee]]<br />[[Mitt Romney]]<br />[[Michael Steele]]
| presidential_nominee      = [[John McCain]] of [[Arizona]]
| vice_presidential_nominee = [[Sarah Palin]] of [[Alaska]]
| previous_year  = 2004
| next_year      = 2012
| ballots        = 1
| totaldelegates = 2,380
| votesneeded    = 1,191
| presidenttotals     = [[John McCain|McCain]] ([[Arizona|AZ]]): 2,343 (99.28%)<br />[[Ron Paul|Paul]] ([[Texas|TX]]): 15 (0.63%)<br />[[Mitt Romney|Romney]] ([[Massachusetts|MA]]): 2 (0.09%)
| vicepresidenttotals = [[Sarah Palin|Palin]] ([[Alaska|AK]]): 100% ([[Acclamation]])
}}
{{US 2008 presidential elections series}}
The '''2008 Republican National Convention''' took place at the [[Xcel Energy Center]] in [[Saint Paul, Minnesota]], from September 1, through September 4, 2008.<ref name=RNCdecide>{{cite web | title =RNC Site Selection Committee To Recommend Minneapolis – St. Paul For 2008 Republican National Convention | publisher =Republican National Committee | date =2006-09-27 | url =http://www.gop.com/News/Read.aspx?ID=6600 | archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20070928003729/http://www.gop.com/News/Read.aspx?ID=6600 | archive-date =2007-09-28 | access-date =2007-06-14 }}</ref> The first day of the [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican Party]]'s convention fell on [[Labor Day]], the last day of the popular [[Minnesota State Fair]], though because of [[Hurricane Gustav]], this day was mostly a call for action to help victims and formal, required activities; most of the politicking and partying did not start until Tuesday, the second scheduled day.

This was the latest any major party [[Political convention|convention]] has ever been convened,<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.gopconvention.com/about/default.aspx | title=About the 2008 Republican National Convention | publisher=2008 Republican National Convention official website | access-date=2008-12-28 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080730183111/http://www.gopconvention.com/about/default.aspx |archive-date = 2008-07-30}}</ref> and the first one to take place entirely in September. Traditionally, the party who holds the [[White House]] has the opportunity to select the date of its convention second, and normally the challenging party holds their convention in July while the incumbent party holds its convention in August. This year, later dates were chosen for both conventions because the parties wanted to schedule their conventions after the [[2008 Summer Olympics]] ended.

President [[George W. Bush]] did not attend the convention (although he did appear by satellite), in order to oversee relief efforts to help citizens recover from Hurricane Gustav.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/elections/2008/president/conventions/videos/transcripts/20080902_BUSH_SPEECH.html|title=Transcript - Bush's Address to the Republican National Convention - Election Guide 2008 - The New York Times|website=www.nytimes.com}}</ref> The attending [[Delegate (American politics)|delegate]]s at the convention nominated Senator [[John McCain]] from Arizona for [[President of the United States|president]] and Governor [[Sarah Palin]] of Alaska for [[Vice President of the United States|vice president]]. 1,191 pledged delegates were necessary for candidates to win the respective nominations.

==Speakers==

===Monday, September 1, 2008===
* Scheduled speeches by U.S. president [[George W. Bush]], U.S. vice president [[Dick Cheney]] and [[United States Senate|U.S. senator]] [[Joe Lieberman]] were canceled because of [[Hurricane Gustav]].<ref>[http://www.asianweek.com/2008/09/03/republican-national-convention-update/ "Republican National Convention Update"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080914092732/http://www.asianweek.com/2008/09/03/republican-national-convention-update/ |date=2008-09-14 }}. [[AsianWeek]]. Retrieved on 2008-09-03.</ref> An abbreviated meeting was scheduled for late afternoon to conduct business required under party rules. The remainder of the convention schedule was determined day by day depending on the nature of the storm.<ref>{{cite news|title=Republican Convention Schedule: Monday
|url=http://articles.nydailynews.com/2008-08-30/news/29435128_1_speeches-and-program-activities-republican-convention-schedule-report-of-credentials-committee|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130130060913/http://articles.nydailynews.com/2008-08-30/news/29435128_1_speeches-and-program-activities-republican-convention-schedule-report-of-credentials-committee|url-status=dead|archive-date=January 30, 2013|date=August 30, 2008|publisher=Associated Press via NY Post|access-date=June 26, 2012|location=New York}}</ref>
* '''[[Laura Bush]]''', [[First Lady of the United States]]<ref name=Shear>{{cite news|author=Shear, Michael D.|title=Laura Bush, Cindy McCain to Speak Today|url=http://voices.washingtonpost.com/the-trail/2008/09/01/laura_bush_cindy_mccain_to_spe.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080901232144/http://voices.washingtonpost.com/the-trail/2008/09/01/laura_bush_cindy_mccain_to_spe.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=September 1, 2008|date=September 1, 2008|publisher=The Washington Post Company|access-date=2008-09-01}}</ref>
* '''[[Cindy McCain]]''', wife of (then-presumptive) Presidential nominee John McCain<ref name=Shear />

:The two women appeared together and delivered short remarks to encourage support for hurricane relief efforts.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/09/01/rnc.gustav/?iref=hpmostpop|title= Laura Bush on Gustav: Americans 'are here to do what we can'|access-date=2008-09-06|publisher=CNN|date=September 1, 2008}}</ref>

===Tuesday, September 2, 2008===
[[File:Honoring-Bush-RNC-20080902.jpg|thumb|150px|left|Members of the Bush and McCain families when former President [[George H. W. Bush]] was honored on September 2, 2008]]

* '''George W. Bush''', President of the United States (by satellite). Because of the events of Hurricane Gustav, Bush did not attend the convention, and delivered his remarks to the delegates by satellite. Bush honored McCain's courage and his [[Samuel Maverick|maverick]] reputation, and said that McCain is ready to lead.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1593965/20080902/story.jhtml|author=Kaufman, Gil|access-date=2008-09-08|publisher=MTV Networks|date=September 2, 2008|title=President Bush Takes Center Stage On Second Night Of Rebooted Republican National Convention| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20080906183754/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1593965/20080902/story.jhtml| archive-date= 6 September 2008 | url-status= dead}}</ref>
* '''Laura Bush''', [[First Lady of the United States]]. The First Lady touted McCain's experience and credentials, while talking about her and her husband's achievements in the White House.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20222987,00.html |title=Laura Bush Delivers Feisty GOP 'Straight Talk' |access-date=2008-09-08 |work=People |date=September 2, 2008 |author=Westfall, Sandra Sobieraj |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080908111836/http://www.people.com/people/article/0%2C%2C20222987%2C00.html |archive-date=8 September 2008 |url-status=dead }}</ref> She introduced President Bush who appeared by satellite.
* '''Joe Lieberman''', [[Independent Democrat]] (formerly Democrat) U.S. Senator from [[Connecticut]]. Lieberman, who ran for Vice President (as a Democrat) with Democratic Party Presidential nominee, [[Al Gore]] in the [[2000 United States presidential election|2000 presidential election]],<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/06/us/politics/06ratings.html?ref=politics|title=Conventions, Anything but Dull, Are a TV Hit|access-date=2008-09-08|work=The New York Times|date=September 5, 2008|author1=Rutenberg, Jim  |author2=Brian Stelter| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20090425031740/http://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/06/us/politics/06ratings.html?ref=politics| archive-date=April 25, 2009| url-status= live}}</ref> praised McCain and argued that [[Barack Obama]], the Democratic Party's presidential nominee, was not ready to be president.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://www.time.com/time/specials/packages/article/0,28804,1838223_1838222,00.html |title=Joe Lieberman |access-date=2008-09-08 |magazine=Time |author=Halperin, Mark |date=September 3, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080907235407/http://www.time.com/time/specials/packages/article/0%2C28804%2C1838223_1838222%2C00.html |archive-date=7 September 2008 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
* '''[[Fred Thompson]]''', former U.S. senator from [[Tennessee]]. Thompson attacked perceived liberal-media bias, branded Democrats as elitists, and praised McCain's vice presidential pick, Sarah Palin.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/uselection2008/johnmccain/2672130/Fred-Thompson-hails-Sarah-Palin-at-Republican-Convention.html|access-date=2008-09-08|date=September 3, 2008|author=Harnden, Toby|work=Telegraph|title=Fred Thompson hails Sarah Palin at Republican Convention | location=London| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20080907221122/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/uselection2008/johnmccain/2672130/Fred-Thompson-hails-Sarah-Palin-at-Republican-Convention.html| archive-date= 7 September 2008 | url-status= live}}</ref>
* '''[[Norm Coleman]]''', U.S. Senator from [[Minnesota]]
* '''[[John Boehner]]''', [[Party leaders of the United States House of Representatives|U.S. House of Representative Minority Leader]] from [[Ohio]]

===Wednesday, September 3, 2008===
{{multiple image
 | header =September 3
 | width = 150
 | direction = vertical
 | image1 =Rudy Giuliani, former Republican presidential candidate and Mayor of New York, at the podium in the Xcel Center, St. Paul, Minnesota LCCN2010719270 (cropped).jpg 
 | caption1 =Rudy Giuliani
 | image2 =Palin waving-RNC-20080903 cropped.jpg
 | caption2 = Sarah Palin
 | image3 =Mike Huckabee addresses the convention in St. Paul, Minnesota LCCN2010719322 (cropped1).jpg
 | caption3 =Mike Huckabee
}}

* '''[[Rudy Giuliani]]''', former [[New York City Mayor|Mayor]] of [[New York City]], [[New York (state)|New York]]. Giuliani questioned Obama's judgment and overall experience. He said, "John [McCain] has been tested. Barack Obama has not. Tough times require strong leadership, and this is no time for on-the-job training."<ref name="palinla"/> He also said that Obama and Democrats "are in a state of denial" about the threat of terrorism to the U.S.,<ref name="three">{{cite news|title=Losing Candidates Go To Bat For McCain |access-date=2008-09-08 |date=September 3, 2008 |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/losing-candidates-go-to-bat-for-mccain/ |publisher=CBS |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080907220222/http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/09/03/politics/main4413918.shtml |archive-date=7 September 2008 |url-status=live }}</ref> while McCain can confront and defeat "anything that terrorists do to us".<ref name="three"/> He further said that Obama is without a record of leadership: "He's the least-experienced candidate for President of the United States in at least the last 100 years."<ref name="three"/> The former Mayor praised Palin as "one of the most successful governors in America—and the most popular... She already has more executive experience than the entire Democratic ticket."<ref name="three"/>
* '''[[Sarah Palin]]''', [[Governor]] of [[Alaska]] and (then-presumptive) Vice Presidential nominee. In Palin's speech, she portrayed herself as a reformer and a fighter for change.<ref name="palinla">{{cite news|url=http://www.latimes.com/news/politics/la-na-ledeall4-2008sep04,0,7127394.story |title=Defiant Sarah Palin comes out swinging |access-date=2008-09-08 |date=September 4, 2008 |work=The Los Angeles Times |author=Barabak, Mark Z |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080907215506/http://www.latimes.com/news/politics/la-na-ledeall4-2008sep04%2C0%2C7127394.story |archive-date=7 September 2008 |url-status=live }}</ref> She introduced her family and described her life in Alaska, saying she is just "an average [[hockey mom]]," while commenting on her recent negative publicity: "Here's a little news flash for all those reporters and commentators: I'm not going to Washington to seek their good opinion. I'm going to Washington to serve the people of this great country."<ref name="palinla"/> She defended her relative lack of political experience and criticized Obama.<ref name="palinla"/> Her speech was well received by the convention delegates<ref name="palinla"/> and media commentators.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/09/04/rnc.reportcard.palin/index.html|title=Republican Convention report card: Sarah Palin|access-date=2008-09-08|publisher=CNN|date=September 4, 2008| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20080908005424/http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/09/04/rnc.reportcard.palin/index.html| archive-date= 8 September 2008 | url-status= live}}</ref>
* '''[[Mike Huckabee]]''', former governor of [[Arkansas]]. While he commended Obama for clinching his party's nomination, Huckabee said that Obama lacks experience and judgment, especially in foreign policy.<ref name="three"/> He said, "I don't believe his preparation or his plans will lift America up."<ref name="three"/>
* '''[[Mitt Romney]]''', former governor of [[Massachusetts]]. Romney commented on Obama's campaign message of change, saying, "We need change all right. Change from a liberal Washington to a conservative Washington. We have a prescription for every American who wants change in Washington—throw out the big-government liberals and elect John McCain."<ref name="three"/> Romney said that Obama "ducked and dodged" when asked about terrorism and Islamic extremism.<ref name="three"/>
* '''[[Mitch McConnell]]''', U.S. Senate [[Minority Leader of the United States Senate|Minority Leader]]. McConnell performed the Adoption and Announcement of Vice-Presidential nominee Palin.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.nbcnews.com/id/26533292|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150228101136/http://www.nbcnews.com/id/26533292/|url-status=dead|archive-date=February 28, 2015|title=Palin speech is latest in GOP fight with media|access-date=2008-09-08|date=September 3, 2008|author=Curry, Tom|work=NBC News}}</ref>
* '''[[Norm Coleman]]''', U.S. Senator from Minnesota
* '''[[Linda Lingle]]''', Governor of [[Hawaii]]
* '''[[Carly Fiorina]]''', former [[Chairman|chair]] and [[chief executive officer]] of [[Hewlett-Packard]]
* '''[[Meg Whitman]]''', former president and chief executive officer of [[eBay]]
* '''[[Anne F. Beiler]]''', founder of [[Auntie Anne's]]

===Thursday, September 4, 2008===
{{multiple image
 | header =September 4
 | width = 150
 | direction = vertical
 | image1 =John McCain addresses the audience at the convention, St. Paul, Minnesota LCCN2010719280 (cropped1).jpg
 | caption1 = John McCain
 | image2 =Cindy McCain Republican National Convention, September 1-4, 2008. St. Paul, Minnesota LCCN2010719276 (2).jpg
 | caption2 = Cindy McCain
}}
* '''[[John McCain]]''', United States Senator from Arizona and 2008 Republican nominee for President of the United States. In his speech, McCain culminated the Republican convention by accepting his party's nomination for President of the United States. He was introduced by a video tribute.
* '''[[Cindy McCain]]''', wife of John McCain. Before appearing on stage, a video tribute honoring Cindy McCain was shown to the delegates. She then appeared and introduced the seven McCain children.<ref name="4speech"/> McCain portrayed her husband as a "straight talker" and a father who, by example, has passed his love of his country onto his children.<ref name="4speech">{{cite news|url=https://www.usatoday.com/news/politics/2008-09-04-66739821_x.htm|title=Cindy McCain praises husband as leader, father|author=DeMillo, Andrew|access-date=2008-09-06|date=September 4, 2008|work=USA Today}}</ref> She avoided criticizing Democratic nominee Barack Obama, rather she praised her husband, saying, "He has shown the value of self-sacrifice by daily example and, above all John showers us with the unconditional love and support every family dreams of. I know what his children say of him. And his courageous service to America in war and peace leaves no doubt what our forefathers would make of him."<ref name="4speech"/> She also showed her support for vice presidential nominee [[Sarah Palin]],<ref name="4speech"/> all before her husband took the stage.
* '''[[Tim Pawlenty]]''', Governor of Minnesota
* '''[[Tom Ridge]]''', former governor of Pennsylvania
* '''[[Sam Brownback]]''', United States senator from Kansas
* '''[[Bill Frist]]''', former United states Senate majority leader
* '''[[Mel Martinez]]''', United States senator from Florida
* '''[[John Ensign]]''', United States senator from Nevada
* '''[[Lindsey Graham]]''', United States senator from South Carolina
* '''[[Tom Cole]]''', United States representative from Oklahoma
* '''[[Mary Fallin]]''', United States representative from Oklahoma
* '''[[Marsha Blackburn]]''', United States representative from Tennessee
* '''[[Aaron Schock]]''', 27-year-old Illinois state representative; nominee for U.S. House of Representatives
* '''[[Rosario Marin]]''', former treasurer of the United States
* '''[[Carol A. Mutter]]''', retired United States Marine Corps lieutenant general<ref name=Speakers>{{cite web|accessdate=June 5, 2025|url=https://www.politico.com/story/2008/08/republican-national-convention-schedule-013003|title=Republican National Convention schedule|agency=Associated Press|date=August 30, 2008
|work=[[Politico]]}}</ref>

==Hosting city selection==
{{multiple image
 | width = 250px
 | direction = vertical
 | image1 = Xcel Energy Center 5.JPG
 | caption1 = Xcel Energy Center, host venue of the convention
 | image2 =Rudy Giuliani, Former Republican Presidential candidate and Mayor of New York, at the podium in the Xcel Center, St. Paul, Minnesota LCCN2010719271.jpg
 | caption2 = The floor of the 2008 Republican National Convention
}}

Four cities made bids to the [[Republican National Committee]] (RNC) for proposals to host the 2008 Convention. Those cities were [[Cleveland]], Ohio; <!-- LEAVE AS MINNEAPOLIS-SAINT PAUL BECAUSE BOTH CITIES WERE INVOLVED IN PROPOSAL --> [[Minneapolis-Saint Paul]], Minnesota; New York City, New York; and [[Tampa]]-[[St. Petersburg, Florida|St. Petersburg]], Florida. The RNC Selection Committee made its recommendation for Minneapolis-Saint Paul and on September 27, 2006, the RNC made its decision public that the 2008 Republican National Convention would be held in Minneapolis-Saint Paul.<ref name=RNCdecide /> The RNC made their decision earlier than originally scheduled because the [[Democratic National Committee]] (DNC) also had Minneapolis-Saint Paul as a finalist among bidding cities. (After the RNC's selection, the DNC removed Minneapolis-Saint Paul from consideration which left the DNC with only two cities to choose from: New York City and Denver, Colorado.) This is the second time the Minneapolis-Saint Paul area held the Republican National Convention—[[1892 Republican National Convention|the first]] was held in 1892.

{{Location map+|USA|width=400|float=center|caption=Sites of the 2008 national presidential nominating conventions|places=
{{Location map~|USA|mark=blue-gold pog.svg|marksize=14|lat_deg=39.739167|lon_deg=-104.984722|position=bottom|background=#FFFFFF|label=Denver}}
{{Location map~|USA|mark=red pog.svg|marksize=14|lat_deg=44.9441|lon_deg=-93.0852|position=top|background=#FFFFFF|label='''Saint Paul'''}}
{{Location map~|USA|mark=purple pog.svg|lat_deg=39.1|lon_deg=-94.58|position=bottom|background=#FFFFFF|label=Kansas City}}
{{Location map~|USA|mark=green pog.svg|lat_deg=41.836944|lon_deg=-87.684444|position=bottom|background=#FFFFFF|label=Chicago}}
}}

==Scheduling==
With the landfall of Hurricane Gustav on the U.S. [[Gulf Coast]], the White House canceled the planned appearances of President Bush and Vice President Dick Cheney.<ref name=washingtonpost-gustav2>{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/08/31/AR2008083100403.html?hpid%3Dtopnews&sub=AR |title=GOP Makes Major Changes to Convention Activities |newspaper=The Washington Post |author=Michael Abramowitz|author2=Robert Barnes |date=2008-08-31 |access-date=2008-08-31}}</ref> Governors [[Bobby Jindal]] of [[Louisiana]] and [[Rick Perry]] of [[Texas]] skipped the convention to remain in their states during the hurricane's landfall.<ref name=washingtonpost-gustav>{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/08/28/AR2008082803165.html |title=GOP Considers Delaying Convention |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |author=Dan Eggen|author2=Michael Shear |date=2008-08-29 |access-date=2008-08-29}}</ref><ref name=marketwatch-gustav>{{cite news |url=http://www.twincities.com/ci_10327535?nclick_check=1 |title=Gustav could blow away GOP convention plans |work=MarketWatch |author=Russ Britt |date=2008-08-29 |access-date=2008-08-29| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20080919203335/http://www.twincities.com/ci_10327535?nclick_check=1| archive-date= 19 September 2008 | url-status= live}}</ref> The Monday, September 1, 2008, schedule was compressed to two hours from seven.<ref name=washingtonpost-gustav2/> McCain called on the party to reduce partisan activities ahead of the hurricane's arrival.<ref name=washingtonpost-gustav2/> The Republican Party chartered a [[DC-9]] to fly convention delegates representing the affected areas back home to their families.<ref name=washingtonpost-gustav2/> The last time a major hurricane struck in a Presidential-election year was [[Hurricane Andrew]] in 1992, which hit South Florida four days after the [[1992 Republican National Convention|Republican Convention]] in [[Houston, Texas|Houston]], Texas.<ref name=washingtonpost-gustav/><ref name=NHC-andrew>{{cite web |url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/1992andrew.html |title=Preliminary Report: Hurricane Andrew |author=Ed Rappaport |publisher=[[National Hurricane Center]] |date=1993-12-10 |access-date=2008-08-29| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20080913083432/http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/1992andrew.html| archive-date= 13 September 2008 | url-status= live}}</ref>

On March 26, 2008, the [[NFL]] and [[NBC]] agreed to move the kickoff time of a September 4 [[National Football League Kickoff game|season-opening football game]] to 7:00&nbsp;p.m. [[Eastern Time Zone|EDT]] instead of 8:30&nbsp;p.m. EDT to accommodate the convention.<ref>{{cite news| url=https://www.reuters.com/article/sportsNews/idUSN2529053820080326 | title=NFL season opener yields to McCain speech | date=March 26, 2008 | work=Reuters| access-date= 12 September 2008 | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20080915181609/https://www.reuters.com/article/sportsNews/idUSN2529053820080326| archive-date= 15 September 2008| url-status= live}}</ref> The game ended relatively on time, at 10:01&nbsp;p.m. EDT, with [[NBC Sports]] handing off to [[NBC News]] within moments of the end of the game. According to [[Nielsen Media Research]], 38.9 million Americans watched McCain deliver his acceptance speech—a half million more than tuned in to see Obama the previous week.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/06/us/politics/06ratings.html?ref=politics |title=Conventions, Anything but Dull, Are a TV Hit |work=The New York Times |author=Jim Rutenberg|author2=Brian Stelter |date=2008-09-05 |access-date=2008-09-05| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20090425031740/http://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/06/us/politics/06ratings.html?ref=politics| archive-date=April 25, 2009| url-status= live}}</ref>

==Delegate count==
{{Main|Results of the 2008 Republican Party presidential primaries}}
To be selected as the 2008 Republican Party Nominee, a candidate must have received the vote of 1,191 delegates. As of March 4, 2008, McCain had received the pledges of more than 1,191 delegates.<ref>{{cite web
|url=http://www.realclearpolitics.com/epolls/2008/president/republican_delegate_count.html
|title=Republican Delegate Count| access-date= 12 September 2008 | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20080918114338/http://www.realclearpolitics.com/epolls/2008/president/republican_delegate_count.html| archive-date= 18 September 2008| url-status= live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.cnn.com/ELECTION/2008/primaries/results/scorecard/#val=R
|title=CNN Republican Primary Scorecard| access-date= 12 September 2008 | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20080910141651/http://www.cnn.com/ELECTION/2008/primaries/results/scorecard/| archive-date= 10 September 2008| url-status= live}}</ref> Although most of those delegates were ''not'' required to vote for him,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2008/02/14/665455.aspx|title=CAN MCCAIN GET ROMNEY'S DELEGATES?| access-date= 12 September 2008 | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20080917214115/http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2008/02/14/665455.aspx| archive-date= 17 September 2008| url-status= dead}}</ref> on September 3, 2008, McCain won the nomination almost unanimously.<ref name=TGP>{{cite web |url=http://www.thegreenpapers.com/P08/R.phtml |title=Republican Convention 2008 |access-date=2008-09-04 |publisher=The Green Papers| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20080908014205/http://www.thegreenpapers.com/P08/R.phtml| archive-date= 8 September 2008 | url-status= live}}</ref>

{| class="wikitable" style="font-size:95%;"
! colspan="3" | Republican National Convention Presidential nominee vote, 2008<ref name=TGP/><ref>{{cite web
|url=http://www.thegreenpapers.com/P08/R.phtml#note10
|title=Update from The Green Papers addressing Update from Minnesota| access-date= 22 January 2010 | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100112085437/http://www.thegreenpapers.com/P08/R.phtml| archive-date= 12 January 2010| url-status= live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web
|url=http://www.thegreenpapers.com/P08/MN-R-LetterFromMichaelSteeleConfirmingRPlVotes-2009-06-30.pdf
|title=Letter from Michael Steele Confirming and Correcting the Minnesota delegate vote count for Ron Paul. Paul to get six more votes| access-date= 22 January 2010 <!--DASHBot-->}}</ref>
|-
! style="width: 17em" |Candidate
! style="width: 5em" |Votes
! style="width: 7em" |Percentage
|-
| '''[[John McCain]]'''
| style="text-align:right;"| '''2,343'''
| style="text-align:right;"| '''98.44%'''
|-
| [[Ron Paul]]
| style="text-align:right;"| 21
| style="text-align:right;"| 0.88%
|-
| [[Mitt Romney]]
| style="text-align:right;"| 2
| style="text-align:right;"| 0.08%
|- style="background:#eee; text-align:right;"
|| Delegates that did not vote
|| 14
|| 0.59%
|- style="background:#eee; text-align:right;"
|| '''Totals'''
|| '''2,380'''
|| '''100.00%'''
|}

Palin was nominated for vice president by voice vote on September 4, 2008.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.wtsp.com/news/local/story.aspx?storyid=89038 | title=Palin nominated by acclamation | work=WTSP | date=September 4, 2008 | access-date=June 26, 2012 | author=Peppard, Jim}}</ref>

==Protests==
[[File:Protest march-RNC-20080901.jpg|thumb|left|Antiwar march at the [[Minnesota State Capitol]] on September 1, 2008]]
Approximately 10,000 largely peaceful protesters marched against the war in Iraq and 2,000 more to end homelessness and poverty.<ref>{{cite web|last=Stawicki |first=Elizabeth |author2=Michael Caputo |title=Authorities say splinter groups caused most of protest violence |publisher=Minnesota Public Radio |date=2008-09-02 |url=http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2008/09/01/protesters_coleman/ |access-date=2008-09-10 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080908060043/http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2008/09/01/protesters_coleman/ |archive-date=8 September 2008 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web| last = McNary| first = Sharon| title = Calm returns to Xcel after police fire tear gas at protesters| publisher = Minnesota Public Radio| date = 2008-09-02| url = http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2008/09/02/rnc_day2/| access-date =2008-09-10| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20080907043041/http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2008/09/02/rnc_day2/| archive-date= 7 September 2008 | url-status= live}}</ref> They represented a number of organizations opposed to the Republican Administration including the [[Poor People's Economic Human Rights Campaign]], [[Veterans for Peace]], [[Iraq Veterans Against the War]], [[Military Families Speak Out]], the [[Teamsters]], [[Code Pink]], the [[American Indian Movement]] and the RNC Welcoming Committee.<ref>{{cite news|author1=Smith, Ashley  |author2=Ruder, Eric|title=Marching on the RNC|url=http://socialistworker.org/2008/09/02/marching-on-the-rnc|date=September 2, 2008|publisher=SocialistWorker.org|access-date=2008-09-02| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20080905091305/http://socialistworker.org/2008/09/02/marching-on-the-rnc| archive-date= 5 September 2008 | url-status= live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|author=Montopoli, Brian|title=Protesters Push Antiwar Message At RNC|url=http://www.cbsnews.com/blogs/2008/09/01/politics/horserace/entry4405431.shtml|date=September 1, 2008|work=CBS News|access-date=2008-09-02| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20080902034750/http://www.cbsnews.com/blogs/2008/09/01/politics/horserace/entry4405431.shtml| archive-date= 2 September 2008 | url-status= live}}</ref> About 1,000 people in place for the third major march, and the last to be sanctioned, were stopped on Thursday, September 4, 2008, by police because they attempted to begin their march after the time their march permit expired.<ref name=Robson>{{cite news|author=Robson, Britt|title=Scenes from a protest: On RNC's last night, a march to nowhere|url=http://www.minnesotaindependent.com/7747/scenes-from-a-protest-on-rncs-last-night-a-march-to-nowhere|date=September 5, 2008|publisher=The Minnesota Independent|access-date=2008-09-05| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20080907021200/http://www.minnesotaindependent.com/7747/scenes-from-a-protest-on-rncs-last-night-a-march-to-nowhere| archive-date= 7 September 2008 | url-status= live}}</ref> The [[Anti-War Committee]], which supports [[nonviolent action]] and [[civil disobedience]] and had cooperated with [[anarchism|anarchist]] groups, had organized and publicized the march to protest at the time of McCain's acceptance speech, which was in violation of the court-approved protest permit time.<ref>{{cite news|author=Weber, Tom|title=Anti-war activists plan protest on last day of RNC|url=http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2008/07/23/rncprotest/|date=July 31, 2008|work=Minnesota Public Radio News|access-date=2008-09-05| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20080918163443/http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2008/07/23/rncprotest/| archive-date= 18 September 2008 | url-status= live}}</ref>

[[File:PPEHRC-march-Minnesota-20080902.jpg|thumb|upright|The [[Poor People's Economic Human Rights Campaign]] march to abolish poverty on September 2, 2008]]
[[Ron Paul's Campaign for Liberty]] and 10,000 Ron Paul supporters attended the ''Rally for the Republic'', a protest convention on September 2, 2008, held a few miles from the Xcel Energy Center at the Minneapolis [[Target Center]] in direct contrast to the Republican National Convention.<ref>{{cite news|author=Devin, Henry|title=Ron Paul, supporters rally at Target Center|url=http://www.mndaily.com/2008/09/03/ron-paul-supporters-rally-target-center|date=September 3, 2008|publisher=The Minnesota Daily|access-date=2008-09-02|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080906011833/http://www.mndaily.com/2008/09/03/ron-paul-supporters-rally-target-center|archive-date=6 September 2008|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Several groups had been preparing to protest near the convention.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2007/11/12/rnc_protests/ |title=MPR: Peace activists, radicals plotting protests for GOP convention |publisher=Minnesota.publicradio.org |date=2007-11-12 |access-date=2011-06-07| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20110608111949/http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2007/11/12/rnc_protests/| archive-date= 8 June 2011 | url-status= live}}</ref>
In early January 2008, protesters marched from the [[Minnesota State Capitol]] to the Xcel Energy Center in hopes of securing a protest permit.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Bakst|first1=Brian|title=Protesters warm up for convention in St. Paul|access-date=18 December 2015|publisher=ABC Eyewitness news|date=1 February 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080606075234/http://kstp.com/article/stories/S300767.shtml?cat=89|url=http://kstp.com/article/stories/S300767.shtml?cat=89|archive-date=6 June 2008}}</ref> The [[Saint Paul Police Department]] authorized the event, but only approved the permit through July 2008. On February 8 and February 9, 2008, antiwar protesters attended a weekend conference at the [[University of Minnesota]] to discuss the protests and antiwar rally.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://wcco.com/local/republican.convention.protest.2.650198.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080211090906/http://wcco.com/local/republican.convention.protest.2.650198.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=11 February 2008|title=wcco.com - Protesters Making Plans In Minn. For RNC '08|date=11 February 2008}}</ref> On February 28, 2008, the [[Associated Press]] (AP) reported that the police department adopted new guidelines for the investigation of protest groups. The police department said that this did not have anything to do with the convention.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2008/02/25/conventionsecurity/ |title=MPR: St. Paul police adopt new guidelines ahead of RNC |publisher=Minnesota.publicradio.org |date=2008-02-25 |access-date=2011-06-07| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20110608112022/http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2008/02/25/conventionsecurity/| archive-date= 8 June 2011 | url-status= live}}</ref>

In early March 2008, the city of Saint Paul gave the first permits to protest organizers.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20080607010618/http://wcco.com/local/rnc.protesters.marching.2.668562.html - RNC Protesters Not Happy About Marching Routes] Retrieved June 28, 2012.</ref> The city had said that it was not going to follow the "New York model" for protest security, referring to the tactics the [[New York City Police Department]] used for the [[2004 Republican National Convention protest activity]].<ref>{{cite web|author=Sean Gardiner |url=http://www.villagevoice.com/news/0811,374129,374129,2.html |title=> news > Runnin' Scared: Minnesota Cops Promise a Kinder, Gentler RNC by Sean Gardiner |publisher=village voice |date=2008-03-11 |access-date=2011-06-07 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080313045527/http://www.villagevoice.com/news/0811%2C374129%2C374129%2C2.html |archive-date=March 13, 2008 |url-status=live }}</ref> Later, on March 24, 2008, the antiwar group the ''Coalition to March on the RNC and Stop the War'', sued the city, claiming their [[free speech]] and [[due process]] rights were denied by the vagueness of the permits which did not specify a permitted route for their march.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.fightbacknews.org/2008/06/rncfedcourt.htm |title=Case for RNC antiwar protest permits goes to federal court |publisher=Fightbacknews.org |date=2008-06-10 |access-date=2011-06-07}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2008/03/24/protest/ |title=MPR: RNC protest group sues city of St. Paul |publisher=Minnesota.publicradio.org |date=2008-03-24 |access-date=2011-06-07| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20110608112038/http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2008/03/24/protest/| archive-date= 8 June 2011 | url-status= live}}</ref> On July 16, 2008, a Federal judge upheld the terms of the permit.<ref>{{cite news|title=Federal judge rules against RNC protesters|last=Furst|first=Randy|date=2008-07-16|work=Star Tribune|publisher=The Star Tribune Company}}</ref> And when the time came on September 2, 2008, police led the [[Poor People's Economic Human Rights Campaign]] for two hours on a {{convert|2.5|mi|km}} trek away from the convention which had been less than {{convert|1|mi|km}} from their starting point.<ref>{{cite news|author=Camp, John|title=Street scenes: A march through St. Paul's concrete wilderness|url=http://www.minnpost.com/stories/2008/09/03/3323/street_scenes_a_march_through_st_pauls_concrete_wilderness|date=September 3, 2008|publisher=MinnPost|access-date=2008-09-05| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20080913193138/http://www.minnpost.com/stories/2008/09/03/3323/street_scenes_a_march_through_st_pauls_concrete_wilderness| archive-date= 13 September 2008 | url-status= live}}</ref>

===Search warrants and arrests===
[[File:Police-Saint Paul-RNC-20080902.jpg|thumb|upright|left|Police in downtown Saint Paul on September 2, 2008]]

{{multiple image
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 | footer = Police arresting protesters during the first-day of the convention
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Before the convention began, search warrants were executed by Ramsey County Sheriff Bob Fletcher<ref>{{cite news|author1=Nelson, Tim  |author2=Stachura, Sea|title=Police conduct raids in preparation for RNC|url=http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2008/08/30/rnc_raids/|date=August 30, 2008|publisher=Minnesota Public Radio|access-date=2008-08-31| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20080904053926/http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2008/08/30/rnc_raids/| archive-date= 4 September 2008 | url-status= live}}</ref> in coordination with the [[FBI|Federal Bureau of Investigation]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.salon.com/opinion/greenwald/2008/08/31/raids/|title=Federal government involved in raids on protesters |last=Greenwald|first=Glenn|date=August 31, 2008|work=[[Salon.com|Salon]]|access-date=2008-09-02| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20080902034022/http://www.salon.com/opinion/greenwald/2008/08/31/raids/| archive-date= 2 September 2008 | url-status= live}}</ref> Six persons who were a part of the organizing group, the RNC Welcoming Committee, were arrested when police executed search warrants on a handful of homes in Minneapolis and Saint Paul during the weekend preceding the convention.<ref>{{cite news|author=Birkey, Andy|title=Pre-RNC police raids: reporters' notebook|url=http://www.minnesotaindependent.com/6292/pre-rnc-police-raids-reporters-notebook|date=August 30, 2008|publisher=The Minnesota Independent|access-date=2008-08-31| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20080831215448/http://www.minnesotaindependent.com/6292/pre-rnc-police-raids-reporters-notebook| archive-date= 31 August 2008 | url-status= live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/04/us/politics/04protests.html|title=Charges Filed Against Protest Group|first=Colin|last=Moynihan|newspaper=The New York Times|date=September 4, 2008}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.democracynow.org/2008/9/4/eight_members_of_rnc_activist_group|title=Eight Members of RNC Activist Group Lodged with Terrorism Charges|website=Democracy Now!}}</ref>

Media outlets reported on several of the searches.<ref name="cnn.com">{{cite news|agency=Associated Press|title=Police raid headquarters of RNC protesters|url=http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/08/30/rnc.protest/index.html|date=August 30, 2008|publisher=CNN|access-date=2008-08-31| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20080901211739/http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/08/30/rnc.protest/index.html| archive-date= 1 September 2008 | url-status= live}}</ref> Given the nature of the probable cause for the warrant applications, a district court judge authorized [[no-knock warrant]]s. Police entered the homes wearing body armor with weapons drawn, which is standard for no-knock warrants.<ref name="cnn.com"/> RNC Welcoming Committee members detained at the group's headquarters, located in an old theater on Saint Paul's West Side, were ultimately arrested by Ramsey County Sheriff Bob Fletcher of misdemeanor fire code violations.<ref name="cnn.com"/>

On the first day of the convention, a group of protesters stood in front of approximately 30 to 40 delegates from Connecticut in an attempt to prevent them from entering the convention. Paramedics had to treat an 83-year-old member of the delegation for breathing problems when his credentials were ripped from his neck by a protester.<ref name=hour>{{cite news|title=Protesters|url=http://www.thehour.com/news/norwalk/protesters/article_abb99808-8b0b-57ce-bfb8-e1b5718a4249.html|access-date=18 December 2015|agency=The Hour|date=1 September 2008}}</ref> Additionally, a [[black bloc]] smashed windows of downtown businesses and slashed the tires several police cars, lit one police car on fire, and used a garbage dumpster as a battering ram against another. About 12 protesters were arrested.<ref name=hour/><ref>{{cite news|title=Police fire tear gas into protest group|url=http://www.twincities.com/ci_10356224|access-date=18 December 2015|publisher=Twin Cities.com|date=1 September 2008}}</ref>

[[File:Minnesota Peace Team-20080904.jpg|thumb|Minnesota Peace Team and police in Saint Paul on September 4, 2008]]
During the convention's first three days, more than 300<ref name=Demko-20080903 /> individuals were detained by police,<ref>{{cite news|url=http://articles.nydailynews.com/2008-09-01/news/17906785_1_anarchists-block-streets-trash-bin|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130130034035/http://articles.nydailynews.com/2008-09-01/news/17906785_1_anarchists-block-streets-trash-bin|url-status=dead|archive-date=January 30, 2013|title=Some turn violent in GOP convention protests|last=Forliti|first=Amy|date=September 2, 2008|agency=Associated Press|access-date=June 26, 2012|location=New York|work=Daily News}}</ref> including journalists,<ref name=Lohn-Krawczynski>{{cite news|author1=Lohn, Martiga  |author2=Krawczynski, Jon|title=Hundreds protest poverty, homelessness as GOP meet|url=https://www.usatoday.com/news/politics/2008-09-01-4174436281_x.htm|date=September 2, 2008|publisher=Associated Press via USA Today|access-date=June 26, 2012}}</ref> healthcare workers, and legal observers.<ref name=Stone /> Some were released, but nearly half received felony charges.<ref name=Stone>{{cite news|author=Stone, Kathlyn|title=Arrest of hundreds at anti-war marchers and journalists angers activists|url=http://www.tcdailyplanet.net/article/2008/09/02/arrest-hundreds-anti-war-marchers-and-journalists-angers-activists.html|date=September 2, 2008|publisher=Twin Cities Daily Planet|access-date=2008-09-02}}</ref> Of these felony arrests, many cases were dropped or reviewed, sometimes for lesser charges, and about 21 were found to be prosecutable.<ref name=Demko-20080903>{{cite news|author=Demko, Paul|title=Prosecutors detail protest charges|url=http://www.minnesotaindependent.com/7293/prosecutors-detail-protest-charges|date=September 3, 2008|publisher=The Minnesota Independent|access-date=2008-09-04| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20080904120337/http://www.minnesotaindependent.com/7293/prosecutors-detail-protest-charges| archive-date= 4 September 2008 | url-status= live}}</ref> About 102 persons were arrested for unlawful assembly at a [[Rage Against the Machine]] concert in downtown Minneapolis.<ref name=Hohmann-20080905/>

Over the four days of the convention, more than 30 journalists were arrested while reporting on the protests. The arrests included journalists from national organizations such as AP and ''[[Democracy Now!]]'', journalists from local radio and TV stations, as well as university journalism students and advisors.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.freepress.net/node/44232|title=List of Journalists Arrested at the RNC|date=September 10, 2008|work=[[Free Press (advocacy group)|Free Press (organization)]]|access-date=2008-09-16|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080919172212/http://www.freepress.net/node/44232|archive-date=19 September 2008|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Three journalists from ''Democracy Now!''—including principal host [[Amy Goodman]]—were detained by police during their reporting on the protests.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.thenation.com/blogs/campaignmatters/352466/amy_goodman_others_detained_outside_rnc |title=Amy Goodman, Others Detained Outside RNC |date=September 1, 2008 |work=[[The Nation]] |access-date=2008-09-02 |archive-url=https://wayback.archive-it.org/all/20090326173858/http://www.thenation.com/blogs/state_of_change/352466/amy_goodman_others_detained_outside_rnc |archive-date=26 March 2009 |url-status=live }}</ref> According to a press release by ''Democracy Now!'', Goodman was arrested after confronting officers regarding the arrest of her colleagues. The officers were in the midst of crowd control, and ordered Goodman to move back. She was arrested after refusing the officer's orders.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.democracynow.org/2008/9/2/amy_goodman_two_democracy_now_producers|title=Amy Goodman and Two Democracy Now! Producers Unlawfully Arrested At the RNC|date=September 2, 2008|publisher=[[Democracy Now!]]|access-date=June 26, 2012}}</ref> All were held on charges of "probable cause for riot".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://minnesota.publicradio.org/collections/special/columns/loophole/archive/2008/09/democracy_now_host_amy_goodman.shtml |title=Democracy Now! host Amy Goodman arrested at RNC protest |date=September 1, 2008 |work=[[Minnesota Public Radio]] |access-date=2008-09-02 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080902173612/http://minnesota.publicradio.org/collections/special/columns/loophole/archive/2008/09/democracy_now_host_amy_goodman.shtml |archive-date=2 September 2008 |url-status=dead }}</ref>  Several news sources have criticized the arrest as unlawful and a violation of the [[freedom of the press]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.alternet.org/rights/97194/amy_goodman_and_two_democracy_now!_producers_unlawfully_arrested_at_rnc/|title=Amy Goodman and Two Democracy Now! Producers Unlawfully Arrested at RNC|date=September 1, 2008|work=[[Alternet]]|access-date=2008-09-02}}</ref> and warned of the "chilling effects" of such measures.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://onthemedia.org/transcripts/2008/09/26/05|title=Incarceration now!|work=[[On the Media]]|date=September 26, 2008|access-date=9 January 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081205040608/http://www.onthemedia.org/transcripts/2008/09/26/05|archive-date=5 December 2008|url-status=dead}}</ref> Democracy Now! journalist Amy Goodman and producers Sharif Abdel Kouddous and Nicole Salazar
prevailed in a lawsuit against the cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul and the U.S. Secret Service
brought by the Center for Constitutional Rights, attorney Steven Reiss from Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP in New York, and Albert Goins of Minneapolis.  The federal lawsuit asserted that the government cannot, in the name of security, limit the flow of information by intimidating and arresting journalists who engage in constitutionally protected reporting on speech protected by the First Amendment, such as dissent or law enforcement activities. The settlement included compensation of $100,000 for the three journalists and an agreement by the St. Paul Police Department to implement a training program aimed at educating officers regarding the First Amendment rights of the press and public with respect to police operations — including police handling of media coverage of mass demonstrations — and to pursue implementation of the training program in Minneapolis and statewide.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/10/03/amy-goodman-settles-lawsuit-2008-republican-national-convention-arrest_n_992431.html|title=Amy Goodman, 'Democracy Now!' Settle Lawsuit Over 2008 Republican National Convention Arrests|date=October 3, 2011|work=[[Huffington Post]]|access-date=2011-11-29|first=Katherine|last=Fung}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://knightcenter.utexas.edu/blog/cities-us-government-pay-100000-settlement-over-arrest-three-journalists-during-2008-republican|title=Cities, U.S. government to pay $100,000 settlement over arrest of three journalists during 2008 Republican National Convention|date=October 6, 2011|work=[[Knight Center for Journalism in the Americas at the University of Texas, Austin]]|access-date=2008-10-29|archive-date=December 11, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111211202825/http://knightcenter.utexas.edu/blog/cities-us-government-pay-100000-settlement-over-arrest-three-journalists-during-2008-republican|url-status=dead}}</ref><!--page DOES exist, maybe it's loading slow?--><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.democracynow.org/blog/2011/10/3/democracy_now_announces_major_settlement_in_federal_lawsuit_challenging_police_and_us_secret_service_crackdown_on_journalists_at_2008_republican|title=Settlement Reached over Arrest of Amy Goodman, Democracy Now! Producers at 2008 GOP Convention
|date=October 3, 2011|work=[[Democracy Now!]]|access-date=2011-10-29}}</ref>

[[File:March on RNC (2820604918).jpg|thumb|Anti-capitalist, anarchist march on the from [[Minneapolis]] on 1 September 2008 RNC]]
The final protest march was permitted for 2:00 to 5:00&nbsp;p.m. on the final day of the convention. This meant that the last of the marchers needed to be back on capitol grounds by 5&nbsp;p.m. By 4&nbsp;p.m., the march had still not left the capitol grounds. Understanding that the protesters were interested in being near the Xcel Energy Center when delegates were, police offered a compromise: march leaders were told that if they started their march before 5&nbsp;p.m., police would allow it to continue past the permit time. March organizers refused. When the final protest march permit expired at 5&nbsp;p.m., overpasses over Interstate 94 leading into downtown from the state capitol were closed. Two hours later, when the final assembly permit on capitol grounds expired and protesters refused several commands to disperse, police used [[tear gas]], [[smoke bomb]]s, [[pepper spray]], [[Stun grenade|flash bangs]], mounted police, paint marker rounds, and rubber bullets to prevent an antiwar march organized by the [[Anti-War Committee]] to march on the Xcel Energy center. This march would have been in violation of the court-approved march permits.<ref name=Hohmann-20080905>{{cite news|last1=Hohmann |first1=James |title=Police arrest demonstrators, prevent access to Republican convention |url=http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/washingtondc/la-na-protests5-2008sep05,0,3520828.story |access-date=18 December 2015 |work=Los Angeles Times |date=5 September 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081001212956/http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/washingtondc/la-na-protests5-2008sep05%2C0%2C3520828.story |archive-date=1 October 2008 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Police arrest 200 in march on GOP convention|url=http://classifieds.dailyherald.com/story/?id=232754&src=152|date=September 5, 2008|publisher=Associated Press via Daily Herald|access-date=June 26, 2012}}</ref><ref name=AP-20080905 /> Between 300 and 400 people were arrested or held including 19 journalists, among them AP reporters Amy Forliti and Jon Krawczynski,<ref name=AP-20080905 /> reporters from ''Twin Cities Daily Planet'' and ''The Uptake'', and Paul Demko of ''[[Minnesota Independent|The Minnesota Independent]]''.<ref name=AP-20080905>{{cite news|author1=Foley, Ryan J.  |author2=Lohn, Martiga|title=Arrests mark last anti-war march of convention|url=https://www.usatoday.com/news/politics/2008-09-05-4174436281_x.htm|date=September 5, 2008|publisher=Associated Press via USA Today|access-date=June 26, 2012}}</ref><ref name=Turck-20080904>{{cite news|author=Turck, Mary|title=Over 300 arrested at RNC protests, including reporters from the Daily Planet and the Uptake|url=http://www.tcdailyplanet.net/article/2008/09/04/day-four-protests-arrests.html|date=September 4, 2008|publisher=Twin Cities Daily Planet|access-date=2008-09-05}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|author=Demko, Paul|title=If you are on this bridge you are under arrest|url=http://www.minnesotaindependent.com/7691/if-you-are-on-this-bridge-you-are-under-arrest|date=September 5, 2008|publisher=The Minnesota Independent|access-date=2008-09-05| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20080906062219/http://www.minnesotaindependent.com/7691/if-you-are-on-this-bridge-you-are-under-arrest| archive-date= 6 September 2008 | url-status= live}}</ref> Total arrests of convention protesters numbered approximately 800, although only 15 cases resulted in criminal charges.<ref name=Demko /> Several suits were started in U.S. District Court, claiming civil rights abuses by the [[St. Paul Police Department]] and other agencies involved in the RNC, particularly the [[Minneapolis Police Department]] and [[Ramsey County Sheriff's Office (Minnesota)|Ramsey County Sheriff's Office]].<ref name=Demko>{{cite news|author=Demko, Paul|title=Lawsuits filed alleging police misconduct around the RNC|url=http://minnesotaindependent.com/27788/lawsuits-filed-alleging-police-misconduct-around-rnc|date=February 27, 2009|publisher=The Minnesota Independent|access-date=2009-02-28| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20090301013054/http://minnesotaindependent.com/27788/lawsuits-filed-alleging-police-misconduct-around-rnc| archive-date= 1 March 2009 | url-status= live}}</ref> Search warrants were still being granted into 2009 in relation to the events that transpired during the 2008 RNC.<ref name="March 5th 2009 Raid">{{cite news |author=Anonymous, Anonymous |title=Macalester Dorm Raided in February in Hunt for RNC Evidence |url=http://tc.indymedia.org/2009/mar/macalester-dorm-raided-february-hunt-rnc-evidence |date=March 5, 2009 |publisher=Twin Cities IndyMedia |access-date=2009-03-05 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110116044617/http://www.tc.indymedia.org/2009/mar/macalester-dorm-raided-february-hunt-rnc-evidence |archive-date=2011-01-16 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

===Post-RNC convictions of protesters===
* [[Bradley Neal Crowder]] of [[Midland, Texas|Midland]], [[Texas]], pleaded guilty in federal court on January 8, 2009, to one charge of possessing an unregistered firearm (as [[Molotov cocktail]]s are defined under federal law) in return for prosecutors dropping two other firearm charges. Each of the three charges carried a maximum of 10 years in prison. He is still awaiting sentencing to between 30 and 46 months in prison depending on whether U.S. Chief Judge Michael J. Davis decides that he played a minor or major role in the crime. Crowder has been in jail since his September 1, 2008, arrest for disorderly conduct.
* [[David McKay (activist)|David Guy McKay]], also of Midland, Texas, was initially released on bail on February 2, 2009, after his first trial ended in a [[hung jury]]. The case never went to retrial as on March 17, McKay accepted a plea deal and plead guilty to three federal felonies: possession of an unregistered firearm (Molotov cocktails), illegal manufacture of a firearm, and possession of a firearm with no serial number, in return for the government not seeking four additional sentencing points for "intent to use" the [[Molotov cocktails]]. Based on transcripts from his first trial,<ref>{{cite news|title=McKay Trial: Day 1 Notes|url=http://tc.indymedia.org/2009/jan/mckay-trial-day-2-notes|publisher=Twins Cities IMC|date=2009-01-29|author=Twin Cities IMC|access-date=20 March 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090213234137/http://tc.indymedia.org/2009/jan/mckay-trial-day-2-notes|archive-date=2009-02-13|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=McKay Trial: Day 2 Notes|url=http://tc.indymedia.org/2009/jan/mckay-trial-day-2-notes|publisher=Twins Cities IMC|date=2009-01-29|author=Twin Cities IMC|access-date=20 March 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090213234137/http://tc.indymedia.org/2009/jan/mckay-trial-day-2-notes|archive-date=2009-02-13|url-status=dead}}</ref> McKay had a good chance of proving entrapment,{{Clarify|who's opinion is this?\June 2010|date=June 2010}} but if found guilty, he could have faced 30 years in prison on the weapons charges alone. As of May 21, 2009, McKay was sentenced to 2 years in prison and a further 3 years of supervision.<ref>{{cite news|title=Texas Man Sentenced on Firearms Charges Connected to the Republican National Convention|url=https://www.fbi.gov/minneapolis/press-releases/2009/mp052109a.htm|date=2009-05-21|access-date=2015-09-16|publisher=Federal Bureau of Investigation}}</ref>
* A total of twenty-one individuals were charged with felony crimes. Three pleaded guilty and charges were dropped for two people.<ref name=Schmikle-April-2009>{{cite news|author=Schmickle, Sharon|title=Update: Gaertner dropping terrorism charges against RNC Eight|url=http://www.minnpost.com/stories/2009/04/09/7970/gaertner_dropping_terrorism_charges_against_rnc_eight|date=April 9, 2009|publisher=MinnPost|access-date=2009-04-09| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20090412043757/http://www.minnpost.com/stories/2009/04/09/7970/gaertner_dropping_terrorism_charges_against_rnc_eight| archive-date= 12 April 2009 | url-status= live}}</ref> An attempt at charging the "RNC 8" with a post-9/11 Minnesota Patriot Act statute "609.714 Crimes committed in furtherance of terrorism" was also dropped.<ref name=Schmikle-April-2009 />

Both McKay and Crowder were arrested based on FBI surveillance and testimony by former-activist turned informant, [[Brandon Darby|Brandon Michael Darby]]<ref>{{cite web|title=Brandon Darby : Proud FBI Informant and Snitch |url=http://www.brandondarby.com |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090427052407/http://www.brandondarby.com/ |archive-date=2009-04-27 |url-status=live |access-date=2009-03-20 }}</ref> and [[Andrew C. Darst]], also known as "Panda," "warchyld" or Killswitch. Darst is currently being charged in Ramsey County, MN, with two felony counts of first- and second-degree burglary as well as fifth-degree assault relating to a January 11, 2009, domestic disturbance.<ref>{{cite news|title=FBI informant ("Panda") faces criminal charges |url=http://www.startribune.com/ |publisher=[[Minneapolis Star Tribune]] |date=2009-02-17 |author=Randy Furst |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090526031005/http://www.startribune.com/ |archive-date=2009-05-26 |url-status=live |access-date=2009-03-20 }}</ref>

==See also==
* [[2008 Democratic National Convention]]
* [[2008 Libertarian National Convention]]
* [[Drill, baby, drill]]
* [[Junkyard Empire]]
* [[2008 Republican Party presidential primaries]]
* [[Republican National Convention]]
* [[History of the United States Republican Party]]
* [[List of Republican National Conventions]]
* [[United States presidential nominating convention]]
* [[Michael Murphy Andregg]]
* [[John McCain 2008 presidential campaign]]

==References==
{{reflist|30em}}

==External links==
{{wikinews|2008 GOP convention to be in Minnesota}}
{{Commons category}}
* [http://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/ws/index.php?pid=78576 John McCain's nomination acceptance speech for President] at RNC ''The American Presidency Project''
* [http://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/ws/index.php?pid=78545 Republican Party platform of 2008] at ''The American Presidency Project''
* [http://protestrnc2008.org/ - Coalition to March on the RNC and Stop the War]
* [http://www.GOPConvention2008.com/ 2008 Republican National Convention official website] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100414042346/http://www.gopconvention2008.com/ |date=2010-04-14 }}
* [http://www.msp2008.com/ Minneapolis-Saint Paul 2008 Host Committee]
* [http://rnc08report.org/ RNC '08 Report website - a citizen's archive of media reports, government documents, and other resources relating to the 2008 RNC.] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110401095745/http://rnc08report.org/ |date=April 1, 2011 }}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20090303174226/http://www.nornc.org/ RNC Welcoming Committee home page]
* [http://www.rnc8.org/ Site explaining the actions of the RNC 8]
* [http://www.freethetexas2.com/ Free the Texas 2 - site about two men from Texas imprisoned in relation to the 2008 RNC]
* [http://news.infoshop.org/article.php?story=2008dunbar-run&query=catamount+tavern+news ''The 2008 Republican National Convention Riots & Protests: What is to be Learned?''], by Will Dunbar, Catamount Tavern News Service, 2008.
*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aNPy0Pi17tQ Video of McCain nomination acceptance speech for President at RNC (via YouTube)]
*[http://convert2mp3.net/en/index.php?p=tags&id=youtube_aNPy0Pi17tQ&key=yqOOU1kTDksL Audio of McCain nomination acceptance speech for President at RNC]{{Dead link|date=June 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}
*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UCDxXJSucF4 Video of Palin nomination acceptance speech for Vice President at RNC (via YouTube)]
*[https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=94258995 Transcript and Audio of Palin nomination acceptance speech for Vice President at RNC]

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{{Republican Party (United States)}}
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{{Authority control}}

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