A safe and hopeful country and a steadfast leader was the message Republicans offered the country on the opening day of their first-ever nominating convention in New York. Defying the largest protests in convention history, Republicans attempted to claim the heavily Democratic city as their own.

There is “no better place” to celebrate the president’s leadership and present his vision for the future than in New York, said the Bush-Cheney campaign chairman, Marc Racicot.

New York was where President Bush “confronted one of the greatest tests of leadership ever to face a President.” “In this city, America finally awoke to the realities of a world at war,” he said.

Delegates cheered as Mayor Koch, a Democrat, announced, “This year, I’m voting for the re-election of President George W. Bush.”

“We will leave here with momentum that will carry us to victory in November,” said the chairman of the Republican National Committee, Ed Gillespie.

Speakers at Madison Square Garden repeatedly invoked the optimism and legacy of Ronald Reagan as they officially nominated President Bush and Vice President Cheney to their presidential ticket.

President Reagan “changed the dynamic of the Cold War from containment and coexistence” to the promotion of freedom, said Senator Allen of Virginia.

And now, “President Bush is the right leader at the right time in our nation’s history,” he said.

The chairman of the platform committee, Senator Frist of Tennessee, also evoked the late president’s legacy in domestic policy, stating that the Party is “dedicated to the enduring legacy through this platform of President Ronald Reagan.”

The president of Young Republicans, Michael Mack, said young people “embrace the ideals of our forefathers – leaders and Republicans that transcend the ages Abraham Lincoln, Teddy Roosevelt, and Ronald Reagan.”

The speeches defended the president’s proactive foreign policy and the doctrine of preemption that was the focal point of the protests on Sunday.

Governor Owens of Colorado said the president would live up to what he called America’s “unique responsibility around the world.”

“We are a lifeline to people who endure terror. Our party embraces that responsibility. While others would turn over leadership to other nations and other organizations, we proudly say that America will lead,” said Mr. Owens.

“I stand with our president because he will never let other nations dictate how we protect America,” said Florida congressional candidate Bev Kilmer.

On the domestic sides, making his tax cuts permanent was a regular theme in podium speeches.

“Just like President Bush, we in Missouri believe all Americans know better than government how to spend their hard-earned money,” said a gubernatorial candidate from Missouri, Catherine Hanaway.

“President Bush proposed and delivered tax relief, which is fueling our economic engine,” said the president of the National Conference of Republican County Officials, Marilyn Byers.

Delegates also called for the confirmation of the president’s judicial nominees and the reform of medical liability and tort laws.

A few speakers underscored the importance of religion in public life.

“The foundation of this great nation is faith. George Washington said: ‘It’s impossible to rightly govern the world without God,'” said Mississippi congressional candidate Clinton LeSueur. He said President Bush “is fully committed to preserving our foundation.”

The speakers also emphasized the increasing diversity of their delegates. Convention organizers said minorities make up 17% of total delegates this year, up from 10% in 2000.

The president of Hispanics Across America, Fernando Mateo, got cheers when he asked how many Latinos “are in the house.”

“This party has been with us, this party will be with us, and we need President Bush for four more years,” he shouted, praising the president for his proposed immigration policy.

“Que viva George Bush,” said Luis Fortuno, a congressional candidate from Puerto Rico.

The mayor of Charlotte, N.C., praised the president for increasing home ownership among minorities.

“My fellow African-Americans, come home to this party! We are waiting with you with arms wide open,” said a Senate candidate from Indiana, Marvin Scott. He asked his fellow Republicans to “keep reaching out.”

Several speakers exhorted grassroots organizers to work hard to get out Republican voters.

“It is not enough to sit on the sidelines, complain, and criticize as France did in the war in Iraq,” said Texas congressional candidate, Ted Poe.

With Republican protesters facing off against anti-Bush demonstrators elsewhere in the city, the Salt Lake City quadriplegic artist, Joni Eareckson Tada, delivered a benediction in which she prayed for peace, freedom from terror, as well as “freedom from acrimony.”