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Dispatch from the Democratic Convention
By David S. Kerr
Thursday
An Acceptance Speech to Remember
By David S. Kerr
It’s a bizarre twist of modern politics that convention acceptance speeches, once more or less ignored,
have become so important. In years past, while the national parties tried to get as much mileage out of them as they could,
they were often rather forgettable.
I ask you – can you remember anything, anything at all, about LBJ’s acceptance speech, Richard
Nixon’s three convention acceptance speeches, or any of George Bush’s (the elder) acceptance speeches? My guess
is probably not.
However, there have been some exceptions. In 1948, Harry Truman, who gave his acceptance speech at three in
the morning set the tone of the campaign when he said, "we’re going to beat these Republicans and we’re going
to teach them to like it." Frankly, I’m still not quite sure what old Harry was saying exactly – "teach them to
like it??" – but to his beleaguered crowd of Democrats, told they were sure to lose in November, it conveyed the fighting
spirit they had been praying for.
Jimmy Carter, in his 1976 acceptance speech, repeating a greeting he had uttered thousands of times during
the primaries, began with a simple, "hello, my name is Jimmy Carter and I’m running for President."
And of course, there was Bill Clinton. His 1992 acceptance speech, given when his numbers weren’t so
good -- actually, one poll showed him in third place after President Bush and Ross Perot – propelled him into a first
place position that he never lost. Then, in a league by itself, there was "the kiss" between Al and Tipper Gore back in 2000.
There will probably never be another prime time political kiss quite like it again.
So, this year, as concerns rose about John Kerry’s ability to connect with the American public, as even
his friends talked about his stiffness and aloof airs, his convention acceptance speech took on a special significance. The
pressure was on, and after listening to endless speeches the delegates were ready to hear the one speech that they had waited
for all week. But, like watching your child perform at a school recital, they were also anxious. Hopeful that he would do
well, but still not quite sure that he could really pull it off.
But the best news for Kerry’ supporters was that when it comes to the business of making acceptance
speeches, John Kerry’s performance was everything the Democrats were hoping for, and then some. Senator Kerry, taking
a page or two from Bill Clinton and Ronald Reagan, mixed some Clintonesque one liners with a Ronald Reagan conversational
style that formed the basis of a speech that officially introduced himself to America as the Democratic nominee.
The convention hall, a massive building that is normally home to Bruins and Celtics games, and of course a
regular series of rock concerts (Prince is coming in a couple of weeks), was packed and then some. Crowd estimates are not
normally my area of expertise, but 25 to 30 thousand people, inside and out, is probably a good guess and between the music,
the lights, and the 100 thousand balloons (yes, I said one hundred thousand) ready to drop from the ceiling, it was sometimes
an experience that bordered on sensory overload.
But Kerry’s speech, precise, friendly, and full of references to his past and his personal beliefs cut
through all the hoopla. And indeed, after the initial opening minutes were done, and the delegates knew he had it, and that
the speech was working, the mood of the crowd, already jubilant, became ecstatic. They were relieved their man had found his
stride and wanted to celebrate the moment.
John Kerry, very reminiscent of another Massachusetts Senator, John F. Kennedy, talked about his war record.
During the 1960 campaign a recurring theme in John Kennedy’s speeches was that his experience during the war tempered
his courage, shaped his character and prepared him for leadership. This was, in a sense, the same thing John Kerry said on
Thursday night.
However, while the war record was the backdrop, complete with former Senator Max Cleland and the crew of Kerry’s
Swift Boat, Senator Kerry’s acceptance speech was anything but martial. He assured the Democrats that while he would
never shrink from a fight, he would nonetheless, never go to war "unless we have to." And in a rather easy to see analogy
with a remark the President made in 2000, he promised to restore honesty and truth to the White House.
There is, of course, a long ways to go until November. The Republicans have their convention in a few weeks,
and George Bush’s speech will also be closely watched. He too will be hoping for a homerun. But in terms of meeting
expectations and setting the tone for the Fall John Kerry accomplished what he set out to do.
Dispatch from the Democratic Convention
By David S. Kerr
Wednesday
The Fleet Center, the site of this year’s
Democratic Convention, is where Bostonians go for hockey games, basketball games, and concerts. And make no mistake,
its big. There are sky boxes, thousands of seats, and as I have found, a walk around the outer ring provides more
than an adequate cardio workout. So that’s why
it surprises me, when I looked for a word to describe this convention, that the word "intimate" comes to mind.
Now,
fair enough, I don’t mean the same kind of intimate I would use to describe a romantic dinner for two. With
25,000 or so people participating in this event, that would be hard to do. No, what I am referring
to is the kind of feeling that’s prompted by the camaraderie and purpose that seems to be so powerful at this gathering.
Mind you, I am trying to maintain a somewhat detached
viewpoint, writing as I am for, for my weekly newspaper column, but I can’t deny, the enthusiasm is contagious.
To
a person, whether they’re from California, Florida or Virginia, these Democrats are passionately
committed to electing John Kerry President and defeating George Bush in November. Indeed, there are at
least twenty different buttons, all with the same theme, of defeating George Bush, that are on sale in the convention hall.
You can also buy "pink slips," with President Bush’s name on them, as well as change of address forms
for "former" President George Bush noting his new residence as Crawford, Texas.
I suppose that
to many a convention probably seems like nothing more than a big meeting. Lots of folks getting together with a specific
set of tasks to accomplish, after which they go home. But such a description doesn’t begin
to describe this event. For many of the party faithful, coming to a national convention is a highlight
of their political careers. Many of these people have spent years working for Democratic candidates, carrying
literature, planning events, parking cards, running campaigns and all in all, making the Democratic Party work.
After having been selected by their fellow Democrats, at district conventions, state
conventions, and primaries, they have shown up here in Boston wired, passionate, and fully engaged in what’s going.
That also includes, what they used to call in the old days, a readiness
to participate in any and all "spontaneous floor demonstrations."
In days gone by, when almost all of the delegates
were middle aged white men, this might be a march through the hall, or just some passionate yelling and sign waving, but at
this convention, where the delegates are far more diverse than those of conventions past, spontaneous dancing seems to be
in thing.
And what surprises me is that some of these delegates actually seem to have some pretty good moves.
I know, that if I were a delegate and was prodded to stand up and dance, it wouldn’t go well. But during last night’s session, the Ohio delegation, not where you would normally look for some spontaneous
dancing, by far gave the best show. But I was also pleased to see that some of the middle aged crew in
the Virginia delegation acquitted themselves pretty well too. Their enthusiasm overcame their normal reserve and
they got into the moment.
By far, the highlight of each night of the convention have been the headline speeches. Now, in case you’re wondering, the Convention is all about speeches. Speeches from just about every
major figure in the party. Governor Mark Warner gave a speech, the President of the National Education Association gave
a speech, along with a whole host of people I have never heard of before, but of course, what the delegates were waiting for
were the big names. The ones who could bring them to their feet, and keep there. Bill Clinton, Ted Kennedy,
and John Edwards, by far, have been the most dynamic speakers of the Convention. And of course, what
they’re still waiting for, the highlight of this year’s convention, John Kerry’s acceptance speech on Thursday.
Overall though, with no floor fights, and no contest for
the nomination, this year’s Democratic Convention, is essentially a media event. In
a sense, sort of a big pep rally. And though the major networks aren’t giving the convention much
more than four hours worth of coverage, that doesn’t mean the media is ignoring the event. Quite the contrary.
With 15,000 media representatives in Boston to cover the convention, the reporters outnumber the delegates by about
three to one.
There are a surprisingly large number of small papers, like the Journal Press, in attendance, dozens
of talk radio types, with their equipment littering the hallways right outside the convention hall, and of course, lots of
reporters from the big newspapers, news services, and networks.
In fact, sometimes I think the media is just about
ready to trip over itself. A good illustration was when I when I was grabbing dinner this evening. I was having a hotdog at a stand near where the delegates go to enter the hall, enjoying the view out over Boston Harbor,
when a reporter from a Japanese News Service -- perhaps one of the most polite TV reporters I have ever met -- in spite of
my telling her that I wasn’t a delegate, started to interview me. Alas, though, it took me
several minutes, trying to cross the language barrier, to make her understand that I worked for a newspaper and probably wasn’t
a good choice for her interview. I felt kind of sorry for her, because after she left me, she and her cameraman
approached five other diners at the Hotdog stand, all of whom told her they worked for the press too.
I am sure she
eventually found a delegate, I told her to look for the "red" tags, but I think it was fair to say, that she was beginning
to wonder what the deal was with these American Conventions.
Report from the Democratic Convention
Tuesday
Boston, Massachusetts
By David S. Kerr
As I write this the Democratic Convention has just begun and the weather is picture perfect.
The sun has been out all day and the normally warm Boston summer has retreated temporarily making this first evening of the
convention feel more like mid September than late July. The City, for a few days at least, has been utterly and completely
taken over by the Democrats. Vendors, hotels, restaurants, museums, and stores, most sporting Kerry stickers and buttons,
all seem like extensions, at least temporarily, of the Democratic Convention.
To say that the security in and around the convention site is intense is an understatement.
So far this evening I have seen officers from the Massachusetts State Police, the U.S. Park Service, the Federal Protective
Service, what I think was the U.S. Secret Service, the Boston Police, the Boston “T” Transit Police, and the Harbor
Police. However, that’s just the police presence. There is also the military presence, with Navy, Army and Marine Corps
personnel, several hundred of them, if not more, stationed all around the city, helping to beef up what is already an impressive
security force.
All in all, this is one time when I visit a big city that I’m not worrying about my wallet.
The Democrats, to put it mildly, are in a jovial mood. There are delegates from every state
and territory as well as Democratic congressmen, senators, governors, and state legislators from all around the country. But,
it would be trite to say that they are just here to have a good time. Though that most certainly is on the list there is a
lot more going on here than just a big party. No, what’s going on is a lot deeper than that. These folks are here with
a purpose. Underneath the smiles, the hand holding, and the backslapping is a unity of purpose. Something, I can tell you,
that as a long time watcher of politics, doesn’t happen that often at Democratic events.
Sure, Democrats always want to beat the Republicans, but this year its different. There are
none of the usual little squabbles, animosities, or rivalries left over from the primaries that usually, even at this point,
still linger at the convention. There are no credentials fights, no platform debates, and no arguments over the lineup of
speakers. No, this year, these people know what they’re here for. Uniformly, this is a convention that is resolutely
focused on beating George Bush.
I was in the audience this evening at a live remote broadcast of a session of the CNBC’s
Hardball with Chris Mathews and got a taste of the sense of purpose the Democrats have this year. Bill Richardson, Wesley
Clark, and Senator Debbie Stabinaw from Michigan, were all guests on the program, and try as Mathews did to bring out their
differences, goad them into saying something that would offer a hint of disunity in the Democratic Party’s intensity,
he couldn’t.
Of course, that may be a bit of their problem at the moment too, and I have heard several delegates
making this point. The party is understandably focused on getting the President out of office, but at the same time, many
of the delegates aren’t quite sure they have really gotten to know the man they will nominate the day after tomorrow.
.
That’s what many of them are hoping will happen this week. Namely, that the Convention,
the speakers, and finally the acceptance speech, will offer their nominee, John Kerry, a chance to define himself and start
a momentum that will carry them all the way to November. Several have reminded me of the 1992 Democratic Convention. That
year, the Democratic Convention gave Bill Clinton the bounce and the energy that propelled his candidacy into front runner
status. A position, in that year’s race against President Bush, that he never lost. Many are hoping that maybe this
week, John Kerry can take a page from history, and do it again.
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We're Going to the Conventions
Getting Credentials
When you watch this year's political conventions you'll
see all the big TV reporters, read the accounts in the Washington Post and New York Times, but I want to let you know, that
you'll also be able to read an account of the convention right here in the Journal. Yes, that's right, it was kind of a stretch,
but the Journal decided to ask for credentials. Its not the Journal's normal beat, that's for sure, but it is news, its something
really different, and something we thought our readers might enjoy.
However, I have to be honest, when we decided to ask for credentials, we weren't really
sure how to go about it. And though the Journal's editor, as usual was enthusiastic for any creative idea, when it came to
the notion of the Journal seeking accreditation to send a reporter to a national party convention, we didn't know where to
begin.
What a reporter gets when you go to a convention are "credentials." In other words, a
piece of paper, and a pass, that lets you get on the floor, watch the events, and talk to anyone who will talk to you. However,
before that happens, there is an application process to go through. One that in some ways reminded me of applying for college.
Both national party offices, not knowing our publication, were very cooperative, and said
yes, weekly publications were welcome. However, since they didn't know us, they said they needed copies of past editions of
the Journal, some samples of my column, a letter from me, and a letter from the publisher. They wanted to know what kind of
paper we were, how often we published, the geographic region we covered, whether we had a website, and whether we were for
profit or not. They also needed some security information. Then, just like applying to college we sent it in the application
and we waited.
We sent in the application in March and the only
follow up I got was a call from the Democratic Convention press office in New York, asking me again, where exactly was King
George located? But that was about it.
I haven't heard from the GOP yet, they're convention isn't
until August so they haven't quite finished their review process yet, but the Democrats, whose convention starts on Monday
sent a letter.
Now, do you remember the old rule about applying for college?
Namely, if they send you a big packet of information, you're in -- if it's a thin letter -- better luck next time. That's
why I assumed when I saw the letter from the Democrats. It was just a thin envelope that I assumed was a thanks but no thanks
response. You know, the sort of thing that begins with, "thank you for your interest in the Democratic Party." But lo and
behold, it was the formal approval of our credentials application.
The Democratic National Convention is a really big get together. Its in Boston and there
will be some 4,326 delegates and alternates. There will also be a couple thousand more support personnel, guests, elected
officials, about three thousand press people, and of course, hundreds of security personnel, staff, aides, folks manning check-in
desks, and of course, people who stand in the rafters making sure that the balloons are all released on schedule.
The delegates come from all over the country. Every state
and territory will be sending them. Some are selected during the primary process, some through a caucus process, like the
one in Iowa, and others at district and state conventions. In Virginia, while we have a primary, its non-binding, and the
actual selection of delegates to the Democratic Convention is done at both the district and state level.
As for the press, they too will be from all over
the country. However, both parties have actively tried to vary the press pool. Obviously NBC, ABC, CBS, the Washington Post,
the New York Times, a host of big dailies, CNN, various foreign news services, and the list goes on, will all have credentialed
representatives. But both parties recognize that a lot of opinion and information comes from small newspapers and small news
organizations all around the nation. From web based news sites, to regional papers, and weeklies, just like the Journal Press
and this website.
So, in something of a first, look for reports,
right here in this space, and on the Journal Web Page, about what's going on at our National Political Conventions.
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