Youth Convention sparks controversy\nNEW YORK -- The Bush sisters, actress Angie Harmon, St. Louis Rams defensive back Jason Sehorn and MTV's "Stand Up and Holla!" winner Princella Price were among the many who addressed the crowd Wednesday afternoon at the Youth Convention at the Republican National Convention. \nMore than 2,500 young adults took in the speakers, who also included White House Chief of Staff Andy Card and Chairman of the Young Republicans Michael Mack. \nThe convention was geared to "energize America's youth and empower them to engage in grassroots efforts on behalf of President Bush," a release said. \nDuring the Youth Convention, a group of between 10 to 15 young people disrupted Card's speech. These AIDS protesters, stood on their chairs shortly into Card's speech and chanted anti-Bush slogans. Card did not break role, speaking through the protests. \nSecurity escorted the protesters out shortly after. \n"I think this is a shame that protesters would stoop this low to protest the president," Arizona delegate Paris Dennard said. "They came in and put a bad light to (the convention). It shows how ruthless some people can be."
Convention floor to be reconstructed \nNEW YORK -- Viewers of today's coverage of the Republican National Convention will notice something different about the stage. \nAt 11:30 p.m. Wednesday, workers closed the convention floor to take down the old stage and rebuild a "theater in the round." \nThe new stage is being built for President George W. Bush's acceptance speech tonight. The president will be surrounded by delegates and others on the floor, as this is the first time a stage of this nature has been used at a national political convention. \nThe construction of the 20-feet in diameter stage will take 20 workers about 10 hours to complete, according to a statement.\nIndiana State Treasurer Tim Berry of Fort Wayne thinks that closer the president is to the crowd, the better.\n"In a direct, open way to connect with the voters of Indiana and the country," he said. "It's letting everyone really know who George Bush is. I'm really looking forward to it."
Moore to attend final night of RNC\nNEW YORK -- In a brief question and answer session with reporters near Madison Square Garden, filmmaker Michael Moore said he would be in attendance at the Republican National Convention Thursday night. Whether he will be there when Bush accepts the Republican nomination is unclear.\nThe liberal filmmaker, whose movie "Fahrenheit 9/11" caused outrage among Republicans and conservatives, is writing a column on the convention for USA Today. He said he is giving a liberal viewpoint of the RNC.\n"Be sure to ask the hard questions and demand the evidence," Moore said Wednesday, referring to the Bush administration and what Moore believes is an unjust war in Iraq. \nMoore said it doesn't matter who is in the White House -- the press and the American people must hold public officials accountable.\n"When John Kerry's elected on .2, I'll have my camera on him," he said.
