1996 Democratic National Convention
{{Short description|American political convention}}
{{more citations needed|date=August 2012}}
{{Infobox National Political Convention
| year = 1996
| party = Democratic
| logo= 1996 DNC (1).jpg
| logo_size= 170px
| image = DP1992.png
| image_size = 125
| image2 = DV1992.png
| image_size2 = 125
| caption = Nominees
Clinton and Gore
| date = August 26–29, 1996
| venue = United Center
| city = Chicago, Illinois
| keynote_speaker = Evan Bayh
| speakers = Christopher Dodd
Mario Cuomo
Hillary Clinton
Christopher Reeve
Ted Kennedy
| presidential_nominee = Bill Clinton of Arkansas
| vice_presidential_nominee = Al Gore of Tennessee
| ballots = 1
| totaldelegates = 4,289
| votesneeded = 2,147
| presidenttotals = Clinton (AR): 4,277 (99.72%)
Abstention: 12 (0.28%)
| vicepresidenttotals = Gore (TN): 4,289 (100%)
| previous_year = 1992
| next_year = 2000
}}
The 1996 Democratic National Convention was held at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois, from August 26 to August 29, 1996. President Bill Clinton and Vice President Al Gore were nominated for reelection. It was the first national convention of either party to be held in Chicago since the riots of the 1968 Democratic convention, and until 2024, was the most recent presidential convention held in the city by either major party.
Site selection
File:United Center 060716.jpg was the site of the 1996 Democratic National Convention. The Center would host the Democratic National Convention again in 2024.]]
Chicago, Kansas City, Los Angeles, New Orleans, New York, and San Antonio were originally considered as possible host cities. Los Angeles withdrew its bid after the 1994 Northridge earthquake. Kansas City would also withdraw.{{cite web |last1=Mannies |first1=Jo |title=City To '96 GOP: Not Here |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/143009312 |website=Newspapers.com |publisher=St. Louis Post-Dispatch |access-date=18 May 2021 |language=en |date=31 Mar 1994}}
On August 4, 1994, it was announced that Chicago had beaten out the other finalist, San Antonio, for the right to host the convention.{{cite news |title=Chicago Convention|url=http://www.cnn.com/ALLPOLITICS/1996/conventions/chicago/facts/tidbits/chicago.history.shtml|publisher=CNN All Politics|access-date=September 4, 2012}} This would mark the first time that Chicago hosted a major presidential year political convention since the violent 1968 Democratic National Convention, and the first time a political convention was held in the United Center, which had been recently completed.{{cite web |title=AllPolitics - Democratic National Convention |url=https://www.cnn.com/ALLPOLITICS/1996/conventions/chicago/facts/tidbits/chicago.history.shtml |website=www.cnn.com |publisher=CNN |access-date=6 August 2020 |date=1996}}
During the bidding for the convention, Chicago was seen as a frontrunner. One dynamic in Chicago's favor was that chairman of the Democratic National Committee David Wilhelm had strong connections to the city.{{cite web |last1=Sweet |first1=Lynn |title=Chicago to host 2024 Democratic National Convention |url=https://chicago.suntimes.com/politics/2023/4/11/23676941/chicago-2024-democratic-convention |website=Chicago Sun-Times |access-date=11 April 2023 |language=en |date=11 April 2023}} Also seen as helpful to Chicago's odds was the goodwill that Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley had earned with President Clinton by helping to lobby Chicago-area congressmen to support the North American Free Trade Agreement.{{cite web |last1=Fitzpatrick |first1=James C. |title=Trying to lure the Democrats |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/682959629 |website=Newspapers.com |publisher=The Kansas City Star |language=en |url-access=subscription |date=3 Mar 1994}} The fact that First Lady Hillary Clinton was raised in the Chicago suburbs was seen as helpful. Bill Clinton's close relationship with Mayor Daley's brother William M. Daley and Clinton's appreciation of Mayor Daley's endorsement of him during the 1992 Democratic Party presidential primaries were also seen as aiding Chicago's chances. Additionally, heading into 1996, Illinois was projected to be a key "battleground state".{{cite web |last1=Hardy |first1=Thomas |title=POLITICS PRIMED FOR NEW SEASON |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1995-12-10-9512100130-story.html |website=chicagotribune.com |publisher=Chicago Tribune |access-date=18 May 2021 |date=10 December 1995}}
Of the bid cities, Chicago's proposed the largest funding package, proposing that its host committee would raise $32 million for the convention.
This was the 25th major party convention to be held in Chicago. Chicago has held more major party conventions than any other city.{{cite web |title=Why the Conventions No Longer Come To Chicago |url=https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/why-the-conventions-no-longer-come-to-chicago/1937727/ |website=NBC Chicago |publisher=WMAQ-TV |access-date=6 August 2020 |date=5 September 2012}}{{cite web |last1=Sautter |first1=R. Craig |title=Political Conventions |url=http://www.encyclopedia.chicagohistory.org/pages/986.html |website=www.encyclopedia.chicagohistory.org |publisher=Encyclopedia of Chicago |access-date=6 August 2020}}
=Bids=
Preparations and logistics
Ahead of the convention, in order to project a positive image of the city, Mayor Daley dedicated a large amount funding towards planting new trees and decorative potted flowers throughout the West Loop area in which the convention would be held as well as in the city's downtown.{{cite web |last1=Byrne |first1=John |last2=Quig |first2=A.D. |title=DNC in Chicago: Good vibes expected, but questions about economic impact |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/politics/ct-chicago-2024-convention-20230521-nxpl2fxxanaurcdaq4zlfowbiy-story.html |website=Chicago Tribune |access-date=29 August 2023 |date=21 May 2023}} The convention came at a time where changes and beautification were underway in the West Loop, including the repaving of roads, the addition of decorative planters, and the installation of ornate street lamps. The Madison Street overpass above the Kennedy Expressway was decorated with red white and blue stars. Greektown underwent a streetscape enhancement project. In the weeks ahead of the convention, a demolition project on five buildings of the Henry Horner Homes near the venue was completed. City officials claime that the timing of some of the enhancements to the West Loop was coincidental.{{cite web |title=Democrats, City Putting Last Touches to the Party |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1996-08-19-9608190125-story.html |website=Chicago Tribune |date=19 August 1996}} Temporary decorations were also added, including stickers advertising the convention on 2,000 street signs.
A temporary convention-oriented bus route was established between the United Center and locations in The Loop. Events related to the convention were held in venues throughout Chicago in order to showcase the city.{{cite web |last1=Bradley |first1=Ben |title=A look back to when Chicago hosted the 1996 DNC |url=https://wgntv.com/news/chicago-news/a-look-back-to-when-chicago-hosted-the-1996-dnc/ |website=WGN-TV |access-date=29 August 2023 |date=11 April 2023}} Hundreds of events related to the convention were held.
The convention introduced a new style four-screen speech prompting system for speakers consisting of two glass teleprompters, accompanied by an inset lectern monitor, and for the first time, a large under-camera confidence monitor.{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/99340726/|title=Speakers send a strong message|work=Detroit Free Press (Detroit, Michigan)|date=August 27, 1996|access-date=October 12, 2019}}
Notable speakers
The convention's keynote speaker was Governor Evan Bayh of Indiana. The nomination speech was given by Senator Christopher Dodd of Connecticut. Other notable speakers included former New York governor Mario Cuomo, First Lady of the United States Hillary Rodham Clinton, actor Christopher Reeve, House Minority Leader Dick Gephardt, Senate Minority Leader Tom Daschle, and other Senators Russ Feingold of Wisconsin, and John Kerry and Ted Kennedy of Massachusetts.{{Citation needed|date=August 2023}}
With Clinton's wife, Hillary, speaking at the Democratic convention, and his opponent Bob Dole's wife Elizabeth Dole having spoken at the Republican convention, 1996 became the year in which it became established practice that both major party candidates spouses speak at their party's convention.{{cite web |title=Trump, Biden Favorable Ratings Both Below 50% |url=https://news.gallup.com/poll/320411/trump-biden-favorable-ratings-below.aspx |website=Gallup.com |access-date=19 January 2021 |language=en |date=18 September 2020}}
Clinton's renomination speech
File:President Clinton's Remarks at the 1996 Democratic National Convention (1).jpg
File:1996 Democratic National Convention.jpg and others on stage celebrating the renomination of Bill Clinton as the Democratic Party candidate for president]]
Clinton's speech on August 29 included his vision for the next decade, included tax cuts for the middle-class, 20 million more jobs, a strong defense with cuts in the military, but a strong presence of peacemaking troops, new military weapons and tanks, welfare reform goals for states and communities, and a peaceful transition for the Middle East.{{Citation needed|date=August 2023}}
Refusal of delegates to Lyndon LaRouche
Lyndon LaRouche had run for president through multiple parties over multiple election cycles. In 1996, he ran for the nomination of the Democratic party, despite the Chair of the Democratic National Party ruling that Lyndon LaRouche "is not to be considered a qualified candidate for nomination of the Democratic Party for President" before the primaries began. In subsequent primaries LaRouche received enough votes in Louisiana and Virginia to get one delegate from each state. When the state parties refused to award the delegates, LaRouche sued in federal court, claiming a violation of the Voting Rights Act. After losing in the district court, the case was appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit, which sustained the lower court.{{cite web|title=USA v. Khan Mohammed|url=http://pacer.cadc.uscourts.gov/common/opinions/199808/96-7191|publisher=U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit|access-date=September 4, 2012}}
Voting
Clinton was nominated unanimously for a second term and Vice President Al Gore by voice vote.
The Balloting:
| border='1px' class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
! colspan=1| Candidates | |
| align=right | Name | |
| align=right |Certified Votes
| 4,277 (99.72%) | |
| align=right |Abstentions
| 12 (0.28%) | |
| align=right |total: | 4,337 |
Clinton and Gore went on to defeat Bob Dole and Jack Kemp in the November general election in an Electoral College landslide with a substantial popular vote margin.
Notable events
On August 28, Civil Rights Movement historian Randy Kryn and 10 others were arrested by the Federal Protective Service while doing a demonstration.
{{Citation|last=
|first=
|author-link=
|last2=
|first2=
|title= The Federal Protective Service arrested 11 protesters Wednesday in...
|newspaper= United Press International
|pages=
|date= August 28, 1996
|url= https://www.upi.com/Archives/1996/08/28/The-Federal-Protective-Service-arrested-11-protesters-Wednesday-in/9884841204800/
|access-date= November 19, 2022
}}
In the middle of the convention, many of the delegates danced to the song "Macarena". Al Gore famously danced to the song while standing still.{{cite news|last1=Lawrence|first1=Derek|title=Relive Hillary Clinton dancing to the 'Macarena' at the 1996 DNC|url=http://www.ew.com/article/2016/07/29/hillary-clinton-dancing-macarena-1996-dnc|access-date=July 31, 2016|date=July 29, 1996}}{{cite news|last1=Plante|first1=Chris|title=When the Macarena moved Hillary Clinton and the 1996 Democratic National Convention to dance|url=https://www.theverge.com/2016/7/29/12327970/hillary-clinton-macarena-dnc-1996-2016-election|access-date=July 31, 2016|work=The Verge|date=July 29, 2016}}
The original Broadway cast of Rent performed "Seasons of Love" at the end of the convention.{{cite news|last1=Metz|first1=Nina|title=Seasons of 'Rent': From 'La Boheme' to becoming an icon|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/2008/02/08/seasons-of-rent-from-la-boheme-to-becoming-an-icon/|access-date=August 1, 2016|date=February 8, 2008}}{{cite book|last1=Román|first1=David|title=Acts of Intervention: Performance, Gay Culture, and AIDS|date=February 1, 1998|publisher=Indiana University Press|isbn=978-0-253-21168-2|page=282|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=dqtkPcz-5-MC&q=%22Democratic+National+Convention%22+++%22seasons+of+love%22&pg=PA282|access-date=August 1, 2016}}
Taste of Chicago, a group of restaurants who have an annual street festival, catered the press area.{{citation needed|date=August 2016}}
Reception
See also
References
{{Reflist|30em}}
External links
- {{YouTube|id=rfa0ja-2gPg|title=President Clinton Speaking at the Convention}}
- [http://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/ws/index.php?pid=29611 Democratic Party Platform of 1996] at The American Presidency Project
- [http://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/ws/index.php?pid=53253 Clinton Nomination Acceptance Speech for President at DNC] (transcript) at The American Presidency Project
- [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rfa0ja-2gPg Video of Clinton nomination acceptance speech for President at DNC (via YouTube)]
- [http://convert2mp3.net/en/index.php?p=tags&id=youtube_rfa0ja-2gPg&key=fsNqJw5FSfEE Audio of Clinton nomination acceptance speech for President at DNC]{{Dead link|date=August 2021 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}
- [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oE-B569TYdo Video of Gore nomination acceptance speech for Vice President at DNC (via YouTube)]
- [http://convert2mp3.net/en/index.php?p=tags&id=youtube_oE-B569TYdo&key=voctg4a8LhSk Audio of Gore nomination acceptance speech for Vice President at DNC]{{Dead link|date=August 2021 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}
- [https://www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/politics-july-dec96-gore_08-28/ Transcript of Gore nomination acceptance speech for Vice President at DNC] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170812055639/http://www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/politics-july-dec96-gore_08-28/ |date=2017-08-12 }}
- [http://www.c-span.org/video/?c4603892/governor-evan-bayh-1996-democratic-national-convention-keynote-speech Video of Evan Bayh's Keynote Address at Democratic National Convention]
{{Sequence|
prev=1992
New York, New York|
list=Democratic National Conventions|
next=2000
Los Angeles, California
}}
{{Democratic National Convention}}
{{Bill Clinton}}
{{Al Gore}}
{{Near West Side, Chicago}}
{{Authority control}}
Democratic National Convention
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Category:August 1996 in the United States