August 24, 2008
Forty years ago I attended my first Democratic National Convention on the bloody streets of Chicago 1968. I was a Peace Activist supporting Sen. Eugene McCarthy’s campaign to end the war in Vietnam. It was truly a police riot. There is a wooden bench in Grant Park that saved me from being clubbed by the Chicago Police as they indiscriminately charged a rally of thousands of peaceful demonstrators. The night Humphrey won the presidential nomination the streets were being patrolled by the Illinois National Guard with barbwire on the front of their jeeps.
The nine National Conventions I’ve attended since then have been far less traumatic, thank goodness, but there have been so many memorable moments. The chaos of the ‘72 Convention when McGovern was nominated after midnight was a disaster, but a clear break with the backroom bosses of the past. By 1976, the entire leadership of the Party came together at the conclusion of Carter’s nomination in New York. From Daddy King to George Wallace in his wheel chair…Carter to Kennedy…it looked like the stage would collapse, but the spirit in the hall was so tremendously optimistic…we the “outsiders” had finally broken through.
One of the most wonderful moments of all came the night Congresswoman Geraldine Ferraro gave her acceptance speech for the Vice Presidential nomination in San Francisco. We all stood on our chairs, waiving American flags, crying and shouting and believing in American once again. It was magic.
Sen. Obama’s acceptance speech next Thursday should raise the bar even further. After three centuries of struggle over the inhumanity and the legacy of slavery, we as a Nation will finally turn a major page in our history. Even though I remain a strong Hillary supporter and a dedicated feminist, I am so proud that my Party is finally taking this important step forward. I worry, however, about the exalted expectations that no human can possibly live up to. But, like our soon-to-be nominee, I also celebrate the audacity of hope.
Tom Chorlton
Clinton Alternate Delegate
Folly Beach, SC
Posted at 3:00 pm on 08/25/08
Posted by Chris
These days it truly does take some audacity to hope. After Gore, after Kerry, the wee hours changes in electoral votes, the challenges, recounts, chads, and Supreme Court decisions, all resulting in nothing short of catastrophe for much of what America used to stand for. I, like you, am almost too afraid to hope for fear of being let down once again…almost too afraid.
Posted at 5:20 pm on 08/25/08
Posted by Elaine Cooper
Hello, I was 15 yrs old , back in 1968. My inner South -side Chicago family has been Democratic , for years. I saw and experienced fractured Democrats. I am a woman and feminist , who has lived here in Columbia, sc for 30 years. I was a delegate, that did not get picked to go to Denver. If I had gone, I would have pleaded, reasoned, begged and not have slept until I convince ALL Democrats to “KEEP YOUR EYES ON THE PRIZE”. Support Obama, get unified . NO McBush (McCain). Hello! If you do not support Obama, You are throwing away your vote to McBuch(McCain). Do NOT dissapoint all us , who could not go. Get it together! Elaine Cooper