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Philadelphia Postcards: Wish You Were Here... The Cheese Steak Speaking Philadelphian Victor Café Independence Hall

Featured Speakers: Colin Powell, Laura Bush, Elizabeth Dole, John McCain, Condoleeza Rice and others share their visions for the Republican Party.

Conventions Past: The Past is Prologue Hear speakers from Republican Conventions of the past -- Eisenhower and Dirksen in 1952 -- Goldwater in 1964 -- Reagan and Ford in 1976 -- and Bush in 1988.

The Shadow Convention: Outside the GOP Convention Halls

GOP Links: Republican National Convention 2000 www.gopconvention.com Republican National Committee www.gop.org Democratic Reaction Democratic National Convention 2000 www.dems2000.com Democratic National Committee www.democrats.org

Ford, George Bush and Ronald Reagan -- the three living Republican presidents -- were honored last night with video tributes. Tonight, delegates to the Republican National Convention will hear the acceptance speech of Bush's running mate, former U.S. Secretary of Defense, Richard Cheney.

"Strength and security with a purpose" was the theme last night. Bush's former presidential rival, Arizona Senator John McCain took to the stage praising the Texas governor as a man of courage and character.

"If you believe that patriotism is a purpose more ennobling than opportunism and expediency, then vote for Governor Bush," said the Arizona Republican who won seven GOP primaries against Bush this year on a message calling for new campaign finance laws. Listen as NPR's Mara Liasson reports for Morning Edition.

Hear Sen. John McCain's full speech from Tuesday night.

Texas Governor George W. Bush arrived today in Philadelphia, telling a cheering crowd he's ready to pick up the Republican nomination for president. He then boarded a motorcade for the Philadelphia Art Museum and a meeting with Hispanic leaders. Tomorrow he'll accept his party's presidential nomination with a prime time speech.

For millions of voters, it will be their first long look at the Republican nominee. The governor, of course, has delivered scores of talks to audiences of all sizes during his campaign. Listen as NPR's Steve Inskeep reports for Morning Edition on the presumptive candidate's speaking style and what kind of speech he is likely to deliver tomorrow night.

Meanwhile, demonstrators clashed with Philadelphia police, slashing tires and tying up the heart of the city where the Republicans are meeting. At least 300 people were arrested trying to stop delegates from getting to the convention site. Listen as NPR's Eric Westervelt reports for Morning Edition.

The role of delegates has been greatly reduced this year at the Republican gathering. Delegates at this convention are a little more than props, but they hardly notice because they're so busy celebrating. Listen as NPR's Peter Kenyon reports for Morning Edition.

U.S. Not a Global Police Force
McCain's speech concluded the convention Tuesday evening, where featured speakers focused largely on calls for rebuilding the nation's military might and morale -- but with caution in how it is used.

Driving that point home, Bush's national adviser Condoleeza Rice told the convention that the Texas governor recognizes "America's armed forces are not a global police force. They are not the world's 911."

Hear Condoleeza Rice's full speech.

A black woman, Rice touched upon issues of race that retired Gen. Colin Powell first raised on Monday evening and her confidence in Bush understands the struggles of many minorities.

"He realizes that we are a nation that has been forged not from common blood but from common purpose -- that the faces of America are the faces of the world," she said. "It has not been easy for our country to make 'We, the people' mean all the people. Democracy in America is a work in progress -- not a finished masterpiece."

New Theme at Convention
Many of Monday's speakers and entertainers were women; black and Latino, while the sea of the delegates on the floor who applauded and cheered were predominately white and male.

African-American Republicans haven't always felt so welcome, as NPR's Wade Goodwyn reports for All Things Considered. Listen to his report from Philadelphia's African-American Museum, where he talked to many black women GOP delegates.

Then hear All Things Considered Robert Siegel talk with Washington Post columnist E.J. Dionne and Weekly Standard senior editor, David Brooks.

Elizabeth Dole, who also ran a short campaign for the GOP nomination, spoke of national defense as a defense of the nation's values as she declared her support for Bush. "The next president of the United States must defend both America's interests and America's ideals. No one, no one understands this better than Governor George W. Bush."

Hear Elizabeth Dole's full speech.

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