We got our sights on the Republican and Democratic National Conventions.
We're certain our Cicada Cheering Fan won't be the only thing creating a buzz.
2008 Democratic National Convention
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
The 2008 National Convention of the U.S. Democratic Party will be held from Monday, August 25 through August 28 after the Summer Olympics in Beijing.
In the aftermath of the 2004 Presidential election, almost everything about the 2008 Democratic National Convention is uncertain: where it will be held, who will chair it, what its rules will be, who its speakers will be, and, most importantly of all, who its nominee will be.
In late November 2005, 35 cities were invited by the Democratic National Convention to bid to host the 2008 convention. The cities invited were:
Atlanta, Baltimore, Boston, Charlotte, Chicago, Cleveland, Dallas, Denver, Detroit, Houston, Indianapolis, Kansas City, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Memphis, Miami, Miami-Dade County, FL, Milwaukee, Minneapolis, Nashville, New Orleans, New York, Orlando, Philadelphia, Phoenix, Pittsburgh, Portland, OR., St Louis, Sacramento, Salt Lake City, San Antonio, San Diego, San Francisco, Seattle, and Washington, DC.
Each city has until January 13, 2006, to accept or decline the invitation.
The 2008 convention site is expected to be chosen in the fall of 2006.
Some of the candidates who have engaged in typical pre-candidacy activities:
Joe Biden, U.S. senator from Deleware. On December 8, 2004, Biden announced to radio host Don Imus: "I'm going to proceed as if I'm going to run."
Evan Bayh, U.S. senator from Indiana. In February 2005, Bayh renamed his PAC the "All America PAC" and hired a new veteran staff with experience on John Kerry, Tom Daschle and Wesley Clark's 2004 presidential campaigns. His new staff includes New Hampshire political operative Steve Bouchard and longtime Democratic fundraiser Nancy Jacobson.
John Edwards, former U.S. senator from North Carolina and 2004 vice-presidential candidate. Edwards headlined the "100 Club Dinner," a major February 2005 Democratic fund-raiser in New Hampshire, and has since made several return visits.
John Kerry, U.S. senator from Massachusetts and 2004 presidential candidate. Kerry visited Iowa in December 2004 to thank campaign supporters, and visited New Hampshire in November 2005, while campaigning for Manchester Mayor Bob Baines.
2008 Republican National Convention
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
The 2008 Republican National Convention is a political event that the Republican Party will hold in 2008. It is too early to know details about this event, such as who the candidates will be, where the convention will be held, who the speakers will be, and most importantly of all, who will be nominated for President and Vice-President. It is not even known yet who will be technically eligible to run for President: some are seeking a constitutional amendment to allow foreign-born American citizens (such as California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger) to run for President. Political trivia buffs will recall the similar effort to repeal the 22nd Amendment to the U.S. Constitution to allow President Reagan to seek a third term; it did not gather much support and was quickly dropped.
Assuming there are no constitutional amendments changing the eligibility to serve as President, possible Republican Presidential nominees include Rudy Guiliani, the Mayor of New York City from 1994-2001, outgoing Florida Governor Jeb Bush, the younger brother of President George W. Bush, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, Senate Majority Leader Bill First, and activist Senator John McCain, a strong but unsuccessful 2000 contender. Vice President Dick Cheney has repeatedly said that he will not be a candidate. The possibility of the Democrats nominating former First Lady Hillary Clinton, now a U.S. Senator from New York, has led to speculation about the Republicans nominating First Lady Laura Bush, but this is not widely taken seriously as of June, 2005.
The 2006 midterm elections may prove to be a key factor in determining the nomination. A strong Republican showing will vindicate President Bush and increase the likelihood of widespread support for a Bush family member or appointee. A weak Republican showing will increase the likelihood of someone who is not closely connected with the Bush Administration getting the nod.
The location of the convention will be determined by the party leadership. As with all such conventions, it will be selected with an eye towards the possible political benefits likely to accrue from its location, and is therefore likely to be held in a large American city, to which affluent donors can easily be attracted.
