The Democratic National Convention is like no other political gathering in the world (the Republican National Convention is significantly smaller). It is a combination of top-notch political rhetoric (both on and off the main podium), party building, training and cheerleading – with a bunch of parties thrown in to finish off.
The 2004 Democratic National Convention in Boston was no different. Over 40,000 people, including the world’s press, flooded the small New England city for over a week.
One of the themes of the convention – ‘Regaining respect for America in the world’ – really hit home with the members of the Democrats Abroad delegation, as well as with the group as a whole. John Kerry, John Edwards and the vast majority of the Democratic party are aware of the damage that the current administration has done to our country’s standing in the world. On the micro level, many of us feel it from the rise in anti-Americanism we detect in our friends and neighbours. On the macro level, you only need to open a newspaper to learn that America is steadily losing the respect of its friends and allies, let alone others, due to its current foreign policy. It was like a breath of fresh air to learn that our Democratic colleagues at home feel the same way.
As always, it was the primetime speeches that made the news. Edwards and Kerry both gave wonderful speeches that were excellent springboards into the general election campaign. But several others were equally noteworthy.
President Jimmy Carter gave a thought-provoking address on foreign affairs that had the audience enthralled. He went point-by-point and condemned the Bush administration (in an indirect way) on just about its entire foreign policy.
Barak Obama, the Democratic contender in the Illinois Senate race, gave a moving speech that launched him onto the national scene in a very big way. Ron Reagan Jr also gave an excellent speech focused on stem cell research, a topic that may have a tremendous impact on this election. This was followed up with a must-read article in the September edition of Esquire that firmly plants the young Reagan in the Democratic camp. (It is interesting to note that Nancy Reagan has refused to address the Republican National Convention).
These speeches, along with countless others both on the floor and in smaller sessions that took place during the day, left delegate and press with a lot to think about. While the general polling numbers did not make a big bounce, if you read the entirety of the polls you will see that the convention did indeed have the impact it was supposed to and earned John Kerry the trust of the nation on the majority of the key issues.
Perhaps even more important than the speeches on the floor was the training that was going on during the morning and afternoon periods (we are on the floor between 4pm and 11pm in order to be able to reach the entire nation). Training was provided by an array of organisations that spanned the Democratic political spectrum from the daily Progressive trainings to the more mainstream training sponsored by Democratic Gain and the Democratic National Committee. All focused on getting out the vote, ensuring that votes are counted, how to deal with the new campaign finance laws and how to enthuse and motivate activists. It is arguable that this element of party building is the most important part of the Convention.
The vast majority of delegates to the Democratic National Convention are not party hacks and the leadership but people who are elected to go on their strong conviction and Democratic ideals. For most, this is a once-in-a-lifetime event and one that changes them for a long time to come. Even for those who are in the leadership, conventions keep us motivated and enthused for the final three-month push of the campaign.