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August 26, 2008
Democratic Party History Plays Role in Denver Drama

history.jpg
In this entry: Quotes, warm up questions, discussion questions, resources

Video summary:

In this video, three historians discuss how the Democratic Party has evolved into what it is today.

As the party prepares to nominate Barack Obama as the first major party black candidate, the historians explain how the oldest political party in the nation has come a long way toward accepting civil rights and racial diversity since the 1930s, when Franklin Roosevelt refused to support anti-lynching legislation.

Historian Richard Norton Smith states that the party was divided on foreign policy during the Vietnam War, but now, while racially and demographically diverse, the Democrats are basically on the same page when it comes to ideology.

Select quotes:

"Roosevelt would not even support an anti-lynching bill; 1936, when Roosevelt was re-nominated, there was an African-American preacher who gave a prayer at the convention. Southern senators walked out. They thought this was outrageous that you would have an African-American on the podium." - Michael Beschloss, presidential historian

"By 1984, Jesse Jackson delivers his very famous rainbow address, telling the party that diversity is actually its strength rather than a weakness." - Peniel Joseph, Brandeis University

"I mean, the last 40 years, frankly, since Richard Nixon's election in 1968, broadly speaking, have been a period, a conservative period in American politics. We've had two Democratic presidents, both southerners, relatively speaking conservatives." - Richard Norton Smith, George Mason University

"In a way, Obama has written himself that people see him as a Rorschach, and they read whatever they want into him. So people who are liberals see Obama as a liberal in the party. Conservatives in the party actually say, "Obama's on my side." People who are moderates or centrists actually say, 'Obama's my guy.'" - Peniel Joseph, Brandeis University

Warm up questions:

1. What do you know about the Democratic Party and its history?

2. Who was the last Democratic president? What was his legacy and record in office?

3. Do you know any people who call themselves Democrats? How would you describe them and their background?

Discussion questions:

1. What do you think about the development of the Democratic Party as described by the historians? Were your surprised to learn that a Democratic icon like Franklin Roosevelt was against anti lynching laws?

2. Why do you think the Democrats embraced diversity in the 1960s and how has that impacted the party today?

3. Can you come up with an explanation for why Democrats with different backgrounds can support different candidates but agree on the same policies and ideology?

4. How do you think the nomination of Barack Obama will change the Democratic Party? How will it change the party if he loses the election? Or wins?

5. In a separate interview, former President Jimmy Carter said, "If Obama is elected, which I think he is going to be, then I think that will be the transforming race for the end of racism, and prejudice, and hatred between races in this country." What do you think of that statement?

Resources:

Transcript of this discussion

Audio Slide Show of Jesse Jackson's 1984 Rainbow Speech

NewsHour Extra Convention Coverage

NewsHour Vote 2008

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Comments
Posted:
08/26/08 at
11:25 PM 		Thurst : I wanted to comment on a statement that historian Michael Beschloss made during the discussion of women's role and voting interests during the history of the Democratic party. He mentioned how terrible it was that women had the right to vote since 1920 and it has taken 88 years for there to be a female candidate with a real chance at nomination and election. I was curious as to why he felt this was such a disgrace, but he says nothing about the fact that black men gained the right to vote in 1870, but it has taken 138 years for there to be a female candidate with a real chance at nomination and election? I would be very eager to hear his response. Thank you.
Posted:
08/27/08 at
01:27 AM 		Michael : Being a Canadian I really like to watch what is going on in USA. But the commentators ae so bolt, they do not listen what the convention speakers are saying, they focuss on the "mistakes" or "errors" or what they interprete as "errors". My guess the all are so busy being jourlalists that they do not understand or pay attention what the speakers are saying, really. I thought Michelle Obama deliver one of the best speach in 50 years...and Hillary Clinton if she had the clarity that she has on her speack tonight, she could it be the Presidential Candidate. Very interesting the Democrats Convention to say the least. Hope for us Canadians that we are so desenchanted with Bush...
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