Democrats around the nation as well as delegates from Oregon are preparing for the Democratic National Conven- tion, which begins Monday in Los Angeles and wraps up Aug. 17.
This year’s convention will be held at the Staples Center and approximately 60 delegates and six alternate delegates from Oregon are scheduled to attend.
“It is really quite an honor to go,” said Hart Williams, Lane County’s delegate. “When all the votes were counted, we three males from the 4th Congressional District all finished in a three-way tie, which was really kind of nice.”
The other two males from the Fourth Congressional District who will be attending are chairman of the Democratic Party of Oregon Jim Edmunson and John Cuff.
After seeing the Republican National Convention earlier this month, some delegates were dreading going to Los Angeles.
“I watched the Republican Convention and it looked deadly boring, plus the polls showed Gore behind,” Edmunson said. “Then Lieberman was chosen and it energized me. I have done a complete 180 [and] I can’t wait to get there.”
Delegates who have attended past conventions are also looking forward to meeting people and sharing their opinions.
“I expect to have a stimulating, exciting time meeting good Democrats and talking to people who agree with my beliefs and really care about our government,” said Barbara Rose, a Lane County delegate and a 1996 convention attendee. “I know I will rub elbows with personal heroes. Last time I sat by Bella Abzug and I walked by Geraldine Ferraro.”
Much of the delegates’ excitement stems from how this year’s convention will be set up, which is described as more of a working atmosphere.
“There will be panel discussions, with real experts, talking about real solutions to problems,” Edmunson said. “I didn’t like the pageantry of the Republican Convention. It seemed like it was more of a halftime show at the Super Bowl.”
Other delegates agree that this year the Democratic Convention is geared toward focusing on what the party stands for.
“It’s not going to be just famous people there speaking, but experts,” said Mary Ann Holser, a third time convention attendee and Lane County delegate.
As well as differing from the Republican Convention in the way it is set up, many delegates also say that the Democratic attendees differ in terms of diversity.
“The Oregon delegation has a phenomenal range of backgrounds being represented,” Edmunson said. “Asian-Americans, African-Americans and several Native Americans are represented. We are also gender-balanced and age-balanced; we have a 20-year-old going as well as a 90-year-old.”
Edmunson says diversity is something he sees as lacking in the Republican Party.
“The Republican Party is mostly made up of white, rich guys.”
The delegates also looked to the Republican gathering in Philadelphia to check on protester activity.
“I think the protesters [in Los Angeles] should be mellower than [in Philadelphia],” Williams said. “After all, we share most values with most of the protesters; we only disagree on how those values should be implemented.”
Other delegates say that being from the Eugene area reduces many of the fears of being around protesters.
“I know delegates from other states are really worried about protesters, ” Edmunson said. “But being from Lane County we are blessed with familiarity with protesters and anarchists. I don’t feel threatened at all.”
Rose agreed.
“I respect their right to be there and I hope they respect mine,” she said.
Edmunson did admit that the Oregon delegates might object to at least one aspect of the Los Angeles party.
“I think the Oregon delegates will protest if there is a Lakers banner hanging in the Staples Center,” Edmunson said, in a joking manner. “Because we all know the Blazers deserved to win.”