Democratic National Convention

[nikki25]

Good morning, everyone!

I was one of the few people on the East Coast who stayed up to hear my president speak of the position that American's are so placed as we face a critical decision in Novemember 2000: the choice of our next president. And, I am glad that I stayed up to see his speech.

Yesterday, President Clinton allowed the Democratic party to stand proudly knowing that it was her that stood behind an promising administration eight years ago. Bill Clinton spoke of where America was in 1992..just out of a military financial disaster, and a divided nation on many important issues. But, here we are eight years later..living in an era of financial prosperity, a reformed welfare system, a "mending" of affirmative action policies...all that add up to us being successfully driven across that proverbial bridge to the 21st century.

I was particularly struck by several things Mr. Clinton said and the audience's response to them, and I hope that your comments would reflect your thought on them as well.

1) Clinton's signifying on President Harry Truman's statement: "if you want to live like a Republican, then vote Democrat." I thought that was very truthful...for many working class people NOW have a fair shot at owning a home, starting a business, and developing working skills like never before.

2)Clinton's discussion of his waiting 30 years for another period of extended economic expansion as was the case from 1961-1969. This was a PROFOUND statement to me. I know that I'd like to see the country in continued financial fitness. He made it really elementary: we can pay down the national debt NOW or go into further debt later by following the Republican plan.

3)Was it just me, or did it seems as though when Bill spoke about affirmative action, the people in the audience weren't too taken with it. He had to keep including women in order to keep everyone happy. Now is it just me, or do you all agree that everyone should be equally excited about civil rights as they are women's rights? If it weren't for abolition in the 1860's there would not have been a women's movement then, and if it weren't for the 1960's there'd be no women's movement then nor now?

At any rate, what are your thoughts about the start of the DNC?

And for my Native New Yorkers, what did you think of the Dual role of Hillary Clinton yesterday?

[nikki25]

I,too, wish that Bill Clinton could have run for another term. Did you see people in the audience crying? Saying good bye to Bill Clinton is like saying good bye to an old friend. We've been on an emotional roller coaster with this man. We also love the way that he connects to people. I've never met him, but boy do I feel like I know his heart. While the country was panting about who Gore was going to select for his running mate, I (jokingly) said that he should select Bill.

Also, Al Gore is running from Clinton, but he should actually embrace him. The American people love this man no matter what! I mean folks love money and happiness and with this prosperity, they have both. All that laughter about the "good times" we are having allows them to get a sudden amnesia about the Lewinsky debacle.

Speaking of the impeached President Clinton..I loved the way he just slightly connoted the tension that others may have with regard to his character. Did you hear the last few words..."No matter what you think about me, know that we stood for the people." Just smooth.

At any rate, I think that the speech definitely sparked my excitement about the party. I would really like to see Gore elected. But, like you, I think that his campaign still needs work. We need to see his heart. And that's just because people are looking for a charismatic and compassionate president in addition to the policy expert. Gore has the latter, but I still haven't seen the former 2...maybe we'll see that on Thursday.

[The Original Ape]

Originally posted by nikki25:
Good morning, everyone!

I was one of the few people on the East Coast who stayed up to hear my president speak of the position that American's are so placed as we face a critical decision in Novemember 2000: the choice of our next president. And, I am glad that I stayed up to see his speech.

Yesterday, President Clinton allowed the Democratic party to stand proudly knowing that it was her that stood behind an promising administration eight years ago. Bill Clinton spoke of where America was in 1992..just out of a military financial disaster, and a divided nation on many important issues. But, here we are eight years later..living in an era of financial prosperity, a reformed welfare system, a "mending" of affirmative action policies...all that add up to us being successfully driven across that proverbial bridge to the 21st century.

I was particularly struck by several things Mr. Clinton said and the audience's response to them, and I hope that your comments would reflect your thought on them as well.

1) Clinton's signifying on President Harry Truman's statement: "if you want to live like a Republican, then vote Democrat." I thought that was very truthful...for many working class people NOW have a fair shot at owning a home, starting a business, and developing working skills like never before.

2)Clinton's discussion of his waiting 30 years for another period of extended economic expansion as was the case from 1961-1969. This was a PROFOUND statement to me. I know that I'd like to see the country in continued financial fitness. He made it really elementary: we can pay down the national debt NOW or go into further debt later by following the Republican plan.

3)Was it just me, or did it seems as though when Bill spoke about affirmative action, the people in the audience weren't too taken with it. He had to keep including women in order to keep everyone happy. Now is it just me, or do you all agree that everyone should be equally excited about civil rights as they are women's rights? If it weren't for abolition in the 1860's there would not have been a women's movement then, and if it weren't for the 1960's there'd be no women's movement then nor now?

At any rate, what are your thoughts about the start of the DNC?

And for my Native New Yorkers, what did you think of the Dual role of Hillary Clinton yesterday?

I think Clinton did a good job kickin' off the convention. I think he was arguably one of the best presidents in the history of this country. He improved this country in every facet.

Even though I understand Gore's choice for Vice, I don't agree with it. He should have taken Gephardt.

The Democrats would have come out looking GENUINE had they invited the organizers of the protests inside and given them a chance to voice their concerns. It would have proven to the country that they are the true "people's choice" party. This is what I'm thinking.

[LadyAKA]

He was genuine and sincere I am not only talking about in his speech last night I am taking about his overall character. The man was almost in tears when he said his speech last night, I know he loves what he does for a living and being the president is no easy job. We all know what happened with Monica but does that bring down what he did for the country in the prior years, and even till this day he is working for us and our rights. His speech was short and to the point, he hit on all the key areas, and like Nikki said he laid out the facts and I know there are statistics to prove everything he was saying. He has a heart and he is very compassionate. I feel that we are losing a great President when he was elected into office I was not thinking about politics, and I missed so much of what he has done. And now he is about to leave and I am so sad. I hope Gore can be all that and more. I, however, don't think we have to worry about Gore he knows what he is doing and the way the President spoke about him proved to me that he is the man for the job, he, as many have stated just needs to show us a bit of his heart, he's not going to win on his polices and looks alone, he needs to show his heart and be proud that he made it this far. Anyhow, I thought the speech was intelligent and humorous; the way The President spoke of the past 8 years was awe inspiring and agreeably it has been good, I too hope he still works closely with Gore and Liberman (sp) when they GET ELECTED!! I am glad that he did not bash the republicans it would of only made him look like a fool, instead he used their own words and threw it in their face, indeed his speech, and especially his last statement was very smooth.

About the affirmative action bit, I think the people just want more, but they need to understand that it will only come if democrats are elected!!

I did not catch Mrs. Clinton's speech but I am sure she did well, she always does. But I do hope that she gets elected in New York, because more of that 8 year tradition will then be totally focused on The City

I honestly hope everyone is taking this election very serious!!

[Ali1976]

I agree with you Lady AKA about taking this election seriously because this election here is said to be the MOST IMPORTANT election in history.

[Ali1976]

You know what? I was amazed by President Clinton and his family. They have been through so much stuff and still seem to be a strong family. I thought President Clinton and Mrs Clinton did a great job on speaking on behalf of the Democratic party. I felt that his speech was heart-felt and needed to get the Democratics party rolling on the right foot.

On other hand, I wish President Clinton could run for another term because it seems that Gore is not really getting the upper hand that he needs to win the presidency. Last night I watched "Politically Incorrect with Bill Maher" and there was this author/lawyer trick on there that basically slammed everything that the Democratic party has done because she is on the side of the crackhead...oops I mean Bush. She was carrying on awful!! But when it comes down to it people really can't say that the Democratic party for the last 8 yrs hasn't done anything for the American people because there are facts/stats to back them up.

Yeah I agree with you on the affirmative action stuff. Like when he said that the African-American people's economy has grown by $5,000 dollars it was like...where are the applauses now? I don't know for those people to be so democratic it seemed like the Republican convention.

Oh yeah and hold on also on "PI" I heard that Bush found a black woman who is willing to fly the confederate flag?? What's that??

I don't know I was impressed by President and Mrs Clinton and what they have tried/done for the American people. I thought there speeches were very appropiate and uplifting for the Democratic party.

[nikki25]

Re: The Original Ape's & Lady AKA's Post

I think that you are definitely correct here! Bill Clinton was one of the best presidents in history, and definitely the best president for Blacks since President Roosevelt!

While I still take issue with Lieberman's anti-affirmative action position, and supporting voucher programs in our schools, I think that it was a politically savvy move on the part of the Gore campaign given Lieberman's moderate position within the political spectrum. Some would say that we shouldn't be too concerned about the vice president for he doesn't have to do anything, really. But those same people forget that it was Al Gore who casted the winning vote on quite a few bills in the Senate...and that's enough to at LEAST raise an eyebrow!!! I think that we need to ensure that the Gore camp must present a unified stance on all the issues so that there is full support.


I think that is truly an excellent point about the Democrats being a "people's party"... so why not invite the protesters in? But there is a cost for each decision.

This is a very, VERY critical election. I hope that becomes more apparent to African-American's, other minorities, the working and middle class, and women over time. All of the work of the last 8 years could go down the wash if we leave things in the hands of someone who barely served 1 term as governor of a state...but is ready to take on a national reponsibility. This race is really between a policy expert and a policy watcher, between continued financial prosperity for all or financial quandry for all except the rich, between getting a Supreme Court who continues in a tradition of conservatism or begins to have the compassion of a Democrat..This is truly the most serious election in many years.

I can only think of one benefit of a Bush administration...Chief Justice Rehnquiest would FINALLY resign. But even with that, I still want to "stay out of the Bushes." (Jesse Jackson, DNC, last evening)

[This message has been edited by nikki25 (edited August 16, 2000).]

[Catwoman]

Too bad we couldn't change the constitution and then Pres. Clinton could run for a 3rd term! He has done an outstanding job as President and he is one of the few Presidents that I will actually sit and listen to when a speech is being given. He just seems down to earth and genuine. I am not too impressed with Gore as a person...however, I will take Jesse Jackson's advice and "stay out of the Bushes!" But Al has got to get some training on compassion, public speaking or something...he just comes off as being real fake to me.

[nikki25]

I think Al Gore has a heart of gold. He is very passionate on the issues. You can't fight like he has so long on these things without really feeling those things in your heart...He's really convicted about the issues he supports. If you think about the last discussion or debate that you had with someone, you can probably agree that your heart was into your statements. What Al Gore must do is to allow people to remember that we all are passionate about many issues, often times making this cause a lifetime commitment. Like I'm committed to serving the Lord..that's in my heart..and my countenance continues to reflect that. Gore's countenance and entire appearance must reflect his heartfelt issues.

You see, Gore is one of those stern and stoic types. We all know of them. That's their public persona. In private, those stern people can be the most cool folk to be around because they know how to relax. Tipper is always telling Gore to relax, I'm just not convinced that he really knows how. Remember, his whole life has been Politics, Politics, Politics. He needs a good outlet so he can relax. If he could relax, he'd be all the better. Do I think this will happen by tomorrow. No. But, I hope that he will be able to at least convince people that the folks who fight for certain policies, are those whose hearts are in it. That is actually a sound thought. If he can distinguish his heart from his mind, and bring that to the forefront of the American mind..then he might have a chance. He just might have a chance.

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I will bless the Lord at ALL times His praise shall continually be in my mouth. (Psalms 34:1, KJV)