Mock Convention Wrap-Up

Presidential Nominee:  Senator John McCain
Vice-Presidential Nominee:  Clint Eastwood

WESTMINSTER NOMINATES McCAIN

New Wilmington, PA – The Westminster College 2000 Republican Mock Convention nominated John McCain as its Republican Presidential candidate as the balloons dropped on the mass of over 700 celebrating state delegates.

The convention began Thursday, Feb. 10, with an address by Robert Novak, CNN political commentator.  Following Novak’s speech, the student delegates and state chairpersons began debate on the campus’ Republican platform.  Debate that evening included discussion of education, health care, abortion, gun control, affirmative action, and gay/lesbian issues.

The convention continued on Friday, Feb. 11, with the remainder of the debate on the platform.  Topics discussed that afternoon included tax reform, immigration, and nuclear proliferation.  The topic that sparked the most heated debate concerned supporting legislation that would make English the official language of the United States.  Students spoke candidly for both sides; however, the final vote upheld the plank declaring English America’s official language.

“The state delegates truly believed in their views on the issues, and it was great to see everyone standing up and debating, proving that at Westminster College the students care about what is happening in their country,” said Kristi Gilbert, the convention’s presiding chairperson.

Upon completion of the platform debate, the student campaign managers for the four candidates, Gary Bauer, George W. Bush, Steve Forbes, and John McCain, took over the convention, presenting the delegates with rousing nomination speeches.

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Following each of the candidate nominations, students supporting that candidate paraded around the convention hall, dancing, chanting, and waving their campaign signs.
 
Once each candidate had received his nomination, the student state chairpersons compiled their delegates’ votes and then reported them to the convention during a roll call vote.

The first ballot left no candidate with the required 2/3 majority; however, the second found McCain with enough votes to secure the nomination.  Bush followed at a distant second with Bauer and Forbes finishing in third and fourth respectively.

As the nomination was announced, balloons dropped from the ceiling and McCain supporters began to chant, cheer, and parade around in celebration.

“I was very excited when McCain won,” said Karen McKeever, senior elementary education major and California delegate.  “I had supported him and his campaign manager from the beginning because of his stance on education.”

The convention ended with the nomination of Clint Eastwood as Vice-President and the presentation of the cabinet by Brad Linn, McCain’s campaign manager.

“The convention was a truly wonderful experience that taught the entire executive committee, as well as the student body, much of what it takes to plan and participate in an actual convention,” said Julie Waszczak, executive chairperson.  “We all were able to experience the complexities of the American political structure first hand and see our history lessons come to life.”

Westminster College’s Mock National Nominating Convention is one of the oldest surviving collegiate conventions in the country.  It has been held quadrennially since 1936, with the exception of 1944, a war year.  After the convention of 1956, it was decided that all future conventions would be held for the party out of power in the White House.  Prior to this decision, all Mock Conventions on Westminster’s campus were held for the Republican Party.

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