The South

Robert Geltner
Florida

Today, the fourth and final day, began amidst the real or contrived controversy one can expect from a large (15,000), bored (heard that - have been told that), and, weary media corps (many of whom have been away from home covering the Olympics and the RNC convention in San Diego) who can't wait to get home.

Who is Dick Morris anyhow? What impact should there be from the transgressions of such political advisors on a President's re-election? Was this really a set-up by the Republican party operatives who have paid Dick Morris for most of his political career? Are the stories true? If so, should the President and his newly developed articulation of classical Democratic concepts be lost in the shadow of Dick Morris' peccadilloes?

Right now only time will tell. In the meanwhile we await the President's acceptance speech. Will he be so bold as to say that if anyone in his administration is involved as Morris was, that they would be fired or asked to resign immediately? Would this be good politics?

It will be a long and exciting campaign- one which is, as Dick Gephardt, says- "for all the marbles."See you in Fort Myers!

Sylvia Woods
Knoxville, TN

Somebody hands out signs so we can hold them up for each main speaker. Didn't you like the tall red GORE signs and the blue CLINTON signs. Al Gore was sooo...good! Wasn't he brave to take on the tobacco lobby FOR KIDS. He is such a good family man. We in Tennessee have known Al for a long time.

Everyday we've been learning and moving to the new dance called the "Macarena." It sure gets the kinks out of your back after sitting through speech after speech.

I've been to the Tennessee delegation meeting this morning, picked up today's delegate badge, attended the Women's Caucus with former governor of Texas, Ann Richards, and bought a button. I'm taking a few minutes to write to write to you and now I'm off to the biggest night of the convention. Balloons, cheers, and the President!

David Condon
Charleston, SC

I wonder if you could tell on television how quiet the Convention Hall was when the Vice-President spoke so warmly and eloquently about his sister's death from tobacco induced lung cancer. It was a very eerie feeling on the floor of that Hall, surrounded by thirty some thousand people, where you could literally hear a pin drop. Al Gore may never be considered a tantalizing speaker, but for those few moments, he captivated the entire audience.

One other thing about Jesse Jackson's speech the other night probably sums up the mood and message of this convention. In criticizing the President's position on welfare reform, Reverend Jackson went on to admonish the Party, ``[that] we must be mature enough to disagree on welfare reform and not let that divide us, for it is in our unity that we serve out the purpose of democracy by achieving other goals on which we do stand together."

Too bad that wasn't heard in prime time. Then again, it's hard to know whether undecided voters would have heard that message or allowed themselves to be distracted by the messenger. Either way, the Democrats leave Chicago more unified than I can recall in my lifetime. President Clinton's speech is sure to reinforce that and bring the house down.

It's been great fun. I hope I'll get to attend conventions in the future.

David Midkiff
Chesapeake, VA

The scene on the convention floor, viewed from the Sky Suites on Wed night during Vice President Gore's speech was a very moving. The people in the convention Hall were not moving or making a sound as they listened to the Vice President tell the story of his sister's death.

The Vice President's speech was also humorous, with the fun he poked at himself. He then set the tone for the coming campaign as he described himself and President Clinton as wanting to build a bridge to the future instead of one to the past.

The excitement is building for Thursday night appearance by President Clinton as everyone begins to watch, on the streets and at the parties being held around town, for a sighting of the President. The First Lady has made several appearances with different organizations this week and has really excited the people at those meetings.

Leah Stith
Portsmouth, VA

The convention is about to come to a close. We have had four wonderful days here in Chicago. Since my last letter it has been exhilarating to see Democrats agreeing to disagree without getting disagreeable. My wish since the start of this convention was that we would come to Chicago and leave as a united front. There were many who disagreed with the president's decision to sign the welfare reform bill. However, whether we like the reform bill or not we must accept it, for it is the law.

Jesse Jackson's speech on Tuesday was the best speech I've heard him give in a long while. He went beyond rhetoric and dealt with real passionate issues. He appeared more a statesman than a politician. I was pleased to hear his insights.

Vice President Gore's humor made his speech a great one. The Macarena routine was wonderful. And the compassion elicited by his reference to his sister's battle with lung cancer was very affecting, bringing the hall to complete silence.

We now wait with bated breath for the message from the president. As we prepare to leave Chicago as a party united, we must reach beyond the confines of our party for help in keeping America on the right track.

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