Nearly One In Five RNC Delegates Are Veterans Or Active Military Personnel

Republican National Committee ^ | August 16, 2004

[RWR8189]

(title edited for length)

Nearly One In Five Delegates To The 2004 Republican National Convention Is A Veteran Or Active Military Personnel

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Leonardo Alcivar / Christine Iverson
212-356-2300 / 202-863-8614

NEW YORK - Nearly one in five delegates to the 2004 Republican National Convention is a veteran of the United States Armed Forces or an active member of the military, the 2004 Republican National Convention announced today. Veterans will make up 15 percent of the Republican delegation and active military personnel will make up 3 percent of the delegates traveling to New York City this month to re-nominate George W. Bush. In comparison, when the Democrats gathered in Boston last month, veterans made up only 11.5 percent of the delegates.

"We're proud to announce that nearly one in five delegates to the Republican National Convention is a veteran or is currently serving this country in our nation's Armed Forces. From the veterans who have fought to protect and preserve the freedoms we enjoy today to the men and women who are protecting us now as we fight the war on terror, they deserve our thanks and gratitude. We appreciate their sacrifice and are grateful for their service, both to their country and to our democratic process," said Ed Gillespie, Chairman of the Republican National Committee.

"The Republican Party is honored to have the support of America's veterans and our active duty servicemen and women," said Bill Harris, CEO of the 2004 Republican National Convention and U.S. Army veteran. "On behalf of the 2004 Republican National Convention, it is truly an honor to welcome the more than 860 veterans and active military personnel participating in this month's four-day convention in New York City."

In an unprecedented show of support for the Republican Party and President Bush, 18 percent of the 2004 delegation identify themselves as veterans or active military personnel. Approximately 4,800 delegates and alternates in 55 delegations will travel to New York City this month. Over 15 percent are veterans, which means that approximately 720 men and women who have worn a United States uniform will represent their home states in New York City. Another 3 percent, or approximately 140 delegates, identify themselves as currently serving in the U.S. military.

In addition to the large percentage of veterans and military personnel in the 2004 delegation, this year's Republican National Convention will be the most diverse in Republican Party history. The 2004 delegation shows a 70 percent increase among minority delegates compared to the 2000 Republican convention. With President George W. Bush leading the ticket, African-American representation is up an estimated 65 percent and Asian-American representation is up nearly 40 percent. This month, Hispanic delegates will be the largest minority group represented, adding another 15 percent to the 100 percent surge the Republican Party saw between the 1996 and 2 000 delegations.

The Republican National Committee recently completed certification of the 2,509 delegates and 2,344 alternate delegates who will make up the most diverse Republican delegation in the party's history. In 2004, minorities make up 17 percent of total delegates and women make up 44 percent. In 2000, minorities made up 10 percent of total delegates and women made up 36 percent. In 1996, minorities made up 6.3 percent of total delegates and women made up 33 percent.

The 2004 Republican National Convention will be held for the first time ever in New York City at Madison Square Garden from August 30 - September 2, 2004. Nearly 50,000 visitors are expected to visit the city for the occasion.

For more information about the 2004 Republican National Convention, please visit our website at www.gopconvention.com.

 

[bin2baghdad]

DoD Directive 1344.10 August 2, 2004
4. POLICY
It is DoD policy to encourage members of the Armed Forces (hereafter referred to as "members") to carry out the obligations of citizenship. While on active duty, however, members are prohibited from engaging in certain political activities. The following DoD policy shall apply:
4.1. General
4.1.1. A member on active duty may:
4.1.1.1. Register, vote, and express his or her personal opinion on political candidates and issues, but not as a representative of the Armed Forces.
4.1.1.2. Make monetary contributions to a political organization.
4.1.1.3. Attend partisan and nonpartisan political meetings, rallies, or conventions as a spectator when not in uniform.
4.1.2. A member on active duty shall not:
4.1.2.1. Use his or her official authority or influence for interfering with an election; affecting the course or outcome of an election; soliciting votes for a particular candidate or issue; or requiring or soliciting political contributions from others.
4.1.2.2. Be a candidate for, hold, or exercise the functions of civil office
except as authorized in paragraphs 4.2. and 4.3., below.
4.1.2.3. Participate in partisan political management, campaigns, or conventions (unless attending a convention as a spectator when not in uniform).
4.1.2.4. Make campaign contributions to another member of the Armed Forces or an employee of the Federal Government.

[bin2baghdad]

Maybe I'm missing something, but how can 3% of the DELEGATES be active duty personnel. DoD Directive 1344.10 (2 Aug 04) para 4.1.2.3 specifically bans active duty military from attending political conventions as anything but a spectator. A delegate is not a spectator.

[Snickersnee]

4.1.2.3. makes it pretty plain -- if you're subject to the UCMJ, you can't be a delegate or alternate. RNC steps on it again!

[AmericanMade1776]

You owe me a Pepsi...posted a few threads before you

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1192814/posts

[GATOR NAVY]

I knew something didn't sound right.

[GATOR NAVY]

I knew something didn't sound right.

[gcraig]

4.1.2.3. Participate in partisan political management, campaigns, or conventions (unless attending a convention as a spectator when not in uniform).

That's the key. If they are not in uniform it appears to be okay. If they are in uniform then it is wrong.

[NutmegDevil]

In uniform as a spectator - not a delegate.

It's the same for U.S. government employees. Has the Hatch Act been changed since I served in the 70s?

[cmsgop]

On DU they are whining about this,the report maybe incorrect as well.

[finnman69]

I hope they end up holding one of the signs I painted for the convention. That would make me proud.

[Snickersnee]

#8, urge you to read that again -- "uniform" has nothing to do with it. It's all about active duty status.

[bin2baghdad]

Actually, I've been looking this up. The Hatch Act was modified in 1993 so MOST CIVILIAN federal employees CAN serve as delegates to party conventions. It's explicit. However, there are some categories of CIVILIAN employees that are explicitly forbidden from serving as delegates to party conventions. The DoD Directive does not explicitly mention serving as a delegate, but does repeatedly limit attendance at conventions to "as a spectator" AND "not in uniform". Service members have many more explicit restrictions than the broad category of civil servants.

Here's a paragraph from a DoD news article:

Of all DoD employees, the men and women in uniform have the most restrictions regarding political activity, he explained. A 1993 revision to the Hatch Act freed most Civil Service employees to engage in political activities outside the workplace that were once forbidden, although many restrictions still apply.

For example, service members as well as government civilians can attend political meetings or rallies. Military members can attend only as spectators and not in uniform. They're not permitted to make public political speeches, serve in any official capacity in partisan groups, or participate in partisan political campaigns or conventions.

http://www.defense.gov/news/Jul2004/n07122004_2004071205.html

I'll have to talk this over with the SJA tomorow.