Republicans had some very minor dissension in their ranks leading up to the convention.  Religious conservatives have expressed concerns that they are not being given due prominence in the convention program.  Moderates, led by Republicans for Choice and Log Cabin Republicans, sought to introduce a "Unity Plank" into the platform.

In contrast to Boston, where demonstrators did not have much of an impact, activists opposed to Bush held sizable protests in New York.  One of the biggest events was the August 29 march up 7th Avenue organized by United for Peace and Justice.  UFPJ, founded in 2002, is "a coalition of more than 800 local and national groups throughout the United States who have joined together to oppose our government's policy of permanent warfare and empire-building."  Myriad other activities were planned.  For example, the Buddhist Peace Fellowship planned to hold daily meditation vigils.  Billionaires for Bush planned "billionaire flashmobbing" in which "Ruly bands of Billionaires will roam the streets of New York, stopping for three-martini lunches, spontaneous outbursts of ballroom dancing and en-masse shining of shoes."  Reporters aligned with the NYC Grassroots Media Coalition and the Indymedia Network provided alternative coverage (>).  There were concerns that anarchists may attempt some form disruption and, as in Boston, security was very tight because of concerns about possible terrorist attacks.  On a lighter note, NYC & Company, the city's official tourism marketing organization, on August 18 announced the Peaceful Political Activists visitor program which entitled people to receive special offers when shopping. 

Democrats were on hand to provide a response in the form of the "American Can Do Better Rapid Response Campaign." (Aug. 10, 2004 press release)  Democrats described the Convention as a "masquerade ball," pointing to "the disparity between the extreme agenda George W. Bush and Dick Cheney have pursued for the last four years and the moderate face of their convention."

The Convention took place without any major incidents.  Convention CEO and Manager Bill Harris later observed that "the President had a good convention, got a lot of momentum and excitement out of it."  City officials claimed "a net positive estimated economic impact on New York City’s economy of $255 million" ($341 million in economic activity and a loss of $86 million due to disruptions).  The New York Police Department reported 1,827 arrests for Convention-related incidents.  The New York Civil Liberties Union gave the NYPD a "mixed grade" stating that "police generally did a fine job protecting protest at the permitted events" but that questionable and inconsistent actions had the effect of stifling dissent and political debate.¹

^Note.
1. Several lawsuits were filed on behalf of protesters detained during the Convention.  On Oct. 7, 2004 the New York Civil Liberties Union filed two lawsuits in the U.S. District Court, Southern District of New York (Schiller v. City of New York and Dinler v. City of New York) and on Nov. 22, 2004 the Center for Constitional Rights and the National Lawyers Guild filed a class action lawsuit in the same court.