US Republican convention nominates Bush for second term

The US Republican national convention Tuesday formally nominated incumbent President George W.Bush as its presidential candidate.

Bush became the ruling Republican Party's official candidate when the key swing state of Pennsylvania cast 75 votes for him, putting him over the

threshold of 1,255 votes needed to face Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry in the Nov. 2 election.

Bush has faced no opposition within the Republican party to win the nomination of the Republican national convention.

Bush, who is campaigning in Tennessee, is expected to accept the nomination on Thursday.

The nomination preceded the night's two featured speakers, first lady Laura Bush and California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger.

Laura Bush, who is set to address the convention on Tuesday night, said in advance excerpts of her speech that her husband's reelection would be

crucial to defend the United States.

"I want to talk about the issue that I believe is most important for my own daughters, for all our families, and for our future -- George's work to

protect our country and defeat terror so that all children can grow up in a more peaceful world," she said.

Schwarzenegger, the Austrian immigrant and movie star who was elected California governor last year, praised Bush's leadership.

"America is back! Back from the attack on our homeland, back from the attack on our economy, back from the attack on our way of life," he said in

his speech.

"We're back because of the perseverance, character and leadership of the 43rd president of the United States, George W. Bush," he said.

The second day of the Republican national convention was held amid continuing protests and demonstrations in New York streets where about 125

people were arrested. Some 100 people were arrested during a march from the former World Trade Center site tothe Madison Square Garden where

the convention is being held.

More than 100,000 people took part in the demonstrations to protest the Bush administration's foreign policy and the Iraq war on Monday when the

Republican national convention opened.

Source: Xinhua