Now Barack is president. But before, there was Bush, the Republicans, and 9-11 very fresh in the background. This photo essays recalls a prime moment of public protest, discontent and malaise, in 2004, as New York City was hosting the Republicans, riding on a post 9-11 security agenda, and their convention. What if the Republicans had lost the elections that year? Would there be a recession, a Barack, still two major wars? And, would our memories of the Bush era be better (because shorter)?