September 4, 2008
Posted: 10:40 PM ET

From , ,
McCain worked to calm the crowd after protestors interupted Thursday night.
McCain worked to calm the crowd after protestors interupted Thursday night.

ST. PAUL, Minnesota (CNN) – In response to early rumors that demonstrators might try to interrupt Republican presidential nominee John McCain's acceptance speech Thursday night, a number of delegations agreed to chant "U.S.A." in order to quell the sound of protesters.

"There's word of a possible demonstration coming. If it does, the chant is 'USA, USA'," a floor whip was overheard telling members in the New York delegation.

Similar whispers were heard from the Alaska delegation clear across to the Louisiana delegation on the other side of the hall only moments before McCain began speaking.

On at least three occasions during the early part of his speech, members of the audience began chanting "U.S.A." in response to protesters, who were then escorted out of the hall.

In one such case, McCain weighed in telling the crowd not to be distracted “by the static…Americans want us to stop yelling at each other.”

Filed under: Republican National Convention


Dan   September 4th, 2008 11:07 pm ET

Unfortunate that his speech was interrupted. Although, I thought the USA, USA chants did more harm than good as I coudln't really hear the protestors and probably wouldn't have known what was going on if not for the repeated chants. Really made it hard for McCain to get into a rhythm early in his speech.

Andy   September 4th, 2008 11:07 pm ET

Haha this just keeps getting better and better. Just donated another 100 bucks to Barack Obama. More coming tomorrow, you cant silence that.

/grabs his popcorn and watches the madness of what has become the republican party.

FactCheck   September 4th, 2008 11:06 pm ET

No, actually it was what the audience had to do to keep themselves awake through this snooze fest. Does he even have a plan?

Nick   September 4th, 2008 11:06 pm ET

Dems will jump on that "static" remark. :o

Evan   September 4th, 2008 11:06 pm ET

Why is USA used? Interesting how there weren't protestors in the the hall for Obama. But why use USA? Does that mean that if you protest that your un-American?

desertique   September 4th, 2008 11:06 pm ET

USA is my home. My country. And my childrens. Let them try to drown out the revolution. It is upon them.

Obama/Biden

Isaac   September 4th, 2008 11:05 pm ET

When I was watching, I heard the chant about 5 times in 15 minutes.

…lol?

Norma   September 4th, 2008 11:05 pm ET

Having distractors at the convention and acting out during Palin and McCain's speech is telling. Nothing like that happened at the DNC, and no one was tear gased and arrested.

John McCain is not the person for this country following a horrible
Bush Presidency. He picked Sarah Palin as his running mate and she showed us last night that she is more of the same.

No McCain/Palin… we deserve better !!!

Joe   September 4th, 2008 11:05 pm ET

Of course… they cant take the heat.

The funny thing is that these people were able to get in because they had room and no one else wanted to.

Apparently one was a delegate on the floor who had credentials…. hmmm which party is split?

ChangeWeCanBelieveIn   September 4th, 2008 11:04 pm ET

I am so happy the protester came in and let them know whats in her heart. CNN, why wont you tell the truth and stop playing games? They are using fear tactics and cold false lies about Barack to scare Americans. People are so upset about what they are doing. The fact that they are parading around a down-sydrome baby, making sure the camera catches his face, or picking a woman who is not qualfied at all to V.P. is simply absurd! Cindy Mccain said she is qualified because she is a pistol-packing hockey mom, while laughing and smiling? Are you kidding me? This is not a joke CNN. People are suffering everyday and this is what the republicans are doing? They make fun of people working in the communities and CNN you wont do anything but say oh what a homerun speech Palin made or Campell Brown, you saying how much you relate to her parading around her baby. Well I have a friend who has a special needs daughter and she was simply outraged and simply offended about how Palin was showing off and using her child. CNN tell the truth! This is ridiculous. Do not lie like these republicans are doing! People are writing in from your blogs so upset, so tired, and you pay them no attention! If you want to know the truth, listen to what we are saying! STOP THE LIES CNN AND TELL THE TRUTH!

Obama Hockey Mom   September 4th, 2008 11:04 pm ET

I want to know why these peaceful protestors that were just holding a sign, maybe a little different from those "homemade" signs on the floor, but no bad language. Weren't they expressing their freedom of speech.

The whole night was a contrast to its theme "Peace". I heard nothing but negativity and war. Another quote of the evening:

"Fight with me, Fight with me, Stand up to defend this country from it's enemies, Stand up and fight, We never hide from history, We make history." - McCain

Gregg   September 4th, 2008 11:04 pm ET

Obama, Obama, Obama, Obama

Funny that one man brings the majority together..holding hands siging, trying to find solutions to problems

then we have the NEGATIVTY PARTY…The Nazi party which translates to the Republican Party. The Party that divides and says to heck with you! The party that gives to the rich and keeps on giving! Hey McSame, did you know that Reganomics and Trickle down does not work? ITS A PROVEN FACT…

CM   September 4th, 2008 11:04 pm ET

Static?

They're protesting because they have an issue with your platform. Ignoring them doesn't make the issue go away.

The vote will be their weapon come Nov. You and your gestapo Palin's time are up.

kriss g   September 4th, 2008 11:03 pm ET

I find it interesting that the speaking hall isn't full, yet they couldn't control protesters??

Jatovi, NC   September 4th, 2008 11:03 pm ET

The DNC 80,000 at one point and no disruptions, yet the RNC is struggling with less than 20,000.

Teddy   September 4th, 2008 11:03 pm ET

i am sure this will not be printed…

This shows America is truly tired of this party and it's one sided policies… You didn't see any of this in Denver. People are tired of this foolishness and this attempt to appear right and grand on TV. I applaud the protesters inside and outside. They represent the America's who sit at Kitchen tables wondering how they will pay their bills. As McCain address this "true friends" my friends, we will not fall victum to this mess again.

Obama= President
Biden= Vice President
Clinton= Secretary of State

Antoine   September 4th, 2008 11:03 pm ET

They have been chanting USA all week, as if we were at the Olympics. We are all Americans voting for an American President. They can use this excuse if they want to, but this is a sad display of the "Good Ol Party" at its best.

CC Atlanta   September 4th, 2008 11:03 pm ET

How is this different from China? What sort of freedom are we fighting for?

McCain Voted Against Vets   September 4th, 2008 11:02 pm ET

I hope there's more to come. McCain is a liar. Are you listening to this speech?? Are you kidding me? This guy is a PUPPET.

Jenny   September 4th, 2008 11:02 pm ET

Pretty ridiculous - I mean come on - Democrat or Republican - each canidate should have the opportunity to speak without interuption of some crazy person running around trying to attract attention - have some respect! FREEDOM OF SPEECH IS ONE THING BUT WAIT YOUR TURN! TAKE TURNS! RESPECT EACH OTHER! I don't care how strong you feel about issues - protest outside, sign your petitioins, but really - what are you gaining by trying to interupt the speech by running up and down the stairs with a message we can barely read scribbled on your shirt - fools - what message are you getting across? I have a strong feeling that if this was Obama and Republicans tried to pull this - we would be ridiculed! Oh that's right, that would never happen because regardless of politics - we have more respect than to pull stunts like that. It's one thing to disagree, it's another to disrespect and make fools out of yourself. America, whether Democract or Republican, needs to get back to basics - respect for one another, personal responsibility, and hard work!

Reform? or Conform?   September 4th, 2008 11:02 pm ET

CNN please do a fact check on all the 'accusations' made by McCain, Palin, and others. I know one article on the Huffington post already has done one on Palin's experience and found that she deeply exaggerated quite a bit on her record as a "reformist"..

McCain is more of the same. To reform Washington to become more conservative is akin to making America step back one century. As an African-American and a woman, I really don't want that to happen.

To boot, Sarah Palin wants to bring back censorship when it comes to library books! Haven't we crossed that path a long time ago? How is this reform?
The end of days…

Pat_Pinehurst NC   September 4th, 2008 11:02 pm ET

The Republicans seem to be refusing to see a lot of truths. I am starting to agree with the guy who said this convention looks like a neo nazi rally. Where are the Asians, Latinos, Blacks, young people? And why is the Christian right screaming "Country First"? Isn't it "God, family, and then country"?

Cheryl Swaim   September 4th, 2008 11:02 pm ET

Who cares. Power to the people. Run Cynthia run!
McKinney '08

Kerry Chapman   September 4th, 2008 11:02 pm ET

Well, Democratic Convention Didnt worry about that did they? Because the Jesus Christ Superstar and Woodstock remake
overwhelmed the demonstrators I suppose. Besides, the
Rock and Roll was good according to Wolf Blitzer….I don't
know how many times he brought that out. But like all things
OBAMA HALO STAR tends show he is just another celeberty.
He certainly hasnt done anything else in his live, even as
a senator.

matthew   September 4th, 2008 11:01 pm ET

American's want to use their first amendment rights to speak out against McCain. They may have done that at the Obama speech, but he was surrounded by 80000 average Americans.

McCain was in a room of delegates. 51% of whom make over $500,000 a year.

gObama!

No Hillary = No Obama   September 4th, 2008 11:01 pm ET

And so is the tear gas being used outside the convention center - so what? Boo to CNN and it's propaganda reporting.

Brian   September 4th, 2008 11:01 pm ET

Funny…the GOP wants us to believe that they can keep us safe. They can't even keep protesters out of their convention!

I can't vote for them

Cecil   September 4th, 2008 11:01 pm ET

Go To Bed Sen. McCain That Was A Weak Showing!

Enough!!!   September 4th, 2008 11:01 pm ET

McBush is plagiarizing Obama's ideas

Obama/Biden 2008 from Nebraska   September 4th, 2008 11:00 pm ET

I'm a Democrat, but come on…have a little respect. This man has done a lot for America. Let him talk….this is a historic election. I was very upset with the people who tried to interrupt his speech. Even though McCain will not get my vote, he will always have my respect.

Scoti   September 4th, 2008 11:00 pm ET

I don't understand how the protestors were able to get in and begin to disrupt McCain's speech. I think it broke the mood he was trying to set, but he still talking. How long is this speech going to be?

Karl   September 4th, 2008 11:00 pm ET

Remember, one of the protester was a iraqi VETERAN with a sign that said "McCain voted against veterans" because he voted against the new GI bill.

Just remember that at a convention thats supposed to be about military service they shout down a veteran just because they don't believe his message.

Tyler in Raleigh   September 4th, 2008 11:00 pm ET

Yep, they want to get ignored instead because those pesky people "across the aisle" you want to work with are "static".

Nice how you dont want to yell at them, you say you want to work with them….. but then you choose to ignore them.

Enough!!!   September 4th, 2008 11:00 pm ET

McBush is stealing from Obama's plan. Obama has been saying these same things all along. Truth.

Matt   September 4th, 2008 11:00 pm ET

The desire for true change in this country is hard to SQUELCH. And spilling into the viper's den itself.

David   September 4th, 2008 10:57 pm ET

Wonder what they would've chanted when the protesters were throwing tea into Boston Harbor.

Sometimes, protest is the most precious act of patriotism.

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