Who remembers the 1980 Democratic Convention and the fight over "delegates"?

[ElsewheresDaughter]

All that is going on here made me think about this and I'm just hoping that it doesn't get to the convention again.

it wasn't good


The 1980 National Convention of the U.S. Democratic Party nominated President Jimmy Carter for President and Vice President Walter Mondale for Vice President. The convention was held in Madison Square Garden in New York City from August 11 to August 14, 1980.

The 1980 convention was notable, as it was the last time in either major party that a candidate tried to get delegates released from their voting commitment. This was done by Sen. Edward M. Kennedy, D-Mass., Carter's chief rival for the nomination in the Democratic primaries, who sought the votes of delegates held by Carter.

After losing his challenge for the nomination earlier that day, Kennedy spoke on August 12 and delivered a speech in support of President Carter and the Democratic Party. His speech closed with the lines "For me, a few hours ago, this campaign came to an end. For all those whose cares have been our concern, the work goes on, the cause endures, the hope still lives, and the dream shall never die." The speech was written by Bob Shrum

Various prominent delegates to this convention included Abe Beame, Geraldine Ferraro, Bruce Sundlun, Ruth Messinger, Ed Koch, Robert Abrams, Bella Abzug, Mario Biaggi and Howard Dean.

[enigmatic]

1. Teddy gave a great speech at that convention

One of the best I've ever heard.

[David Zephyr]

21. Yes he did. I will never forget it.

One of the very best at a convention ever. Also Jesse Jackson's about the quilt his grandmother made. Those two are probably my favorites.

[Kurt_and_Hunter]

2. A truly dark moment in Dem history (I never really forgave Teddy for fragging Carter)

[ElsewheresDaughter]

6. It was sad and the bad taste just came back up....I love Carter too

the rethuglicans used footage of teddy's speech against Carter and help to hand Raygun the presidency

[tritsofme]

20. It was a disgusting display.

It makes me upset just to think about it.

[BootinUp]

13. History may repeat itself

by all indications.

[ElsewheresDaughter]

23. It could well cost us the election again...I don't think Dean will allow it....he was there in 1980

[Ken Burch]

15. Fine. Teddy should have shook his hand.

But there was bad blood on both sides that year. Somebody had just happened to arranged to have Teddy's motorcade route into Chicago lined with thousands of people shouting "murderer, murderer"(this after Teddy had been visiting Chicago for years with nobody hassling him). And there were a lot of really vicious attacks on Teddy throughout the campaign.

In hindsight, both Kennedy AND Carter should have withdrawn going into the convention, so that a candidate not tied to either faction could be chosen and a fresh start made.

[stevedeshazer]

3. Ahem.

"Democrat Convention" ??

[redqueen]

4. I was about to say... IC... IC... DemocratIC.

Ugh, the slimey repuke infeciton of our very language... so invasive... it's worse than Kudzu.

[stevedeshazer]

7. Yep.

Let's make this Republicanism a thing of the past.

[ElsewheresDaughter]

8. opps

[stevedeshazer]

12. Opps?!

Surely you must mean OOPS.

:)

[ElsewheresDaughter]

16. .........erm......yeah that too.....

[City Lights]

9. Glad you brought that up.

HRC supporters were all over someone in another thread for using that term.

Only freepers call it the "Democrat" Party.

Guess it's okay when they do it.

[redqueen]

14. It's a mistake...

jesus christ... :banghead:

[LittleClarkie]

5. You made me cry

"For me, a few hours ago, this campaign came to an end. For all those whose cares have been our concern, the work goes on, the cause endures, the hope still lives, and the dream shall never die."

That quote was on the door of the Kerry campaign HQ here in SE Wisconsin right after we lost. Just reminded me of that.

:cry:

[ElsewheresDaughter]

17. awww I'm sorry...

:hug:

[joshcryer]

10. This is why the BS about lawsuits, MI and FL not being seated, and other such absurd controversey...

...is just that, controversey.

At the end of the day the party will prevail, and people will be adults about who the nominee is. It will be fair.

[ElsewheresDaughter]

18. I really hope so

[Hippo_Tron]

11. It will be an even bigger disaster because we don't have an incumbent President

Modern conventions exist largely to share the personal story of the nominee with the American people. At least everyone in America knew that Jimmy Carter was a peanut farmer from Georgia because he had already won once.

A brokered convention this time will be an even bigger disaster.

[DemocratSinceBirth]

19. The Difference Then Was That Carter Had A 60%-40% Delegate Lead

Kennedy's rationale for releasing the delegates was that circumstances had changed dramatically since the primaries were held...

[jackson_dem]

22. And what circumstances were cited for that?