Posted July 29, 2004. Updated July 30, 2004.
*Read reaction to the convention from the president of the AU College Democrats and the president of the AU College Republicans in the Opinions section.*
Several AU students and professors attended the Democratic National Convention, shuffling through the unprecedented security at the convention's site, Boston's FleetCenter, to listen to the many speeches delivered from July 26-29, leading up to the keynote address from newly named Democratic presidential nominee John Kerry Thursday night. As AU representatives anticipated Kerry's speech from the FleetCenter's floors, others from the AU community, tuned in from D.C. and across the country.
"I can't remember the last time Democrats were as united and determined to communicate a positive message to the American people as they are at this convention," said Robert Pastor, Professor of International Relations and Vice President of International Affairs at AU.
Pastor said he thinks the aim of the convention was to persuade the undecided and those who are leaning, however unsurely, toward President Bush.
AU College Republicans President Mike Inganamort, a junior in the School of Public Affairs, agreed that Kerry would try to move the undecided voters.
"Because I think his speech will be blaringly upbeat and positive, he certainly won't be playing to the Bush-haters, but instead to the very small number of undecideds," Inganamort said before Kerry's 10 p.m. address.
As expected, Kerry focused on his experience as a lieutenant during the Vietnam War after an introduction from Max Cleland, a Vietnam veteran and triple amputee, former U.S. senator from Georgia and former AU distinguished adjunct professor.
"I think Max is a wonderful addition to the Kerry team. He's known Kerry for many years and their service in Vietnam reinforces their friendship," said Dean of Washington Semester David Brown. Brown worked closely with Cleland, who studied in the Washington Semester program in the fall of 1968 and taught with the program from 2002 until December 2003 when he joined the board of directors of the Export-Import Bank of the United States. "[Cleland is] obviously strongly for Kerry even though Bush appointed him to the Export-Import Bank," Brown said, adding that he greatly looked forward to Cleland's introduction.
However, some people don't place much emphasis on Kerry's military participation.
"I respect Kerry's military service immensely ... however, if military experience were the only qualifier for president, Bob Dole and John McCain both would have been president. And from what I understand, only 2 out of Kerry's 23 fellow swift boat commanders support his candidacy," Inganamort said, citing the Swift Boat Commanders for Truth Web site, www.swiftvets.com.
Marc Malon, AU senior and College Democrats member who went to the convention, anticipated Kerry's speech.
"Kerry's speech Thursday night is probably going to be the most important one of his career," Malon said, adding that to be in the lead at the polls at the beginning of the convention is a big accomplishment. "To solidify this lead, Kerry and Edwards need to deliver excellent speeches."
Kerry leads with 49 percent of voters favoring him, compared to Bush's 47 percent, according to a Gallup poll conducted before the convention.
Malon and Student Confederation President Polson Kanneth, a senior in the School of Communication who is also an AU College Democrats member that attended the convention, cited the speech of Barack Obama, an Illinois Democrat and Senate-hopeful, as one of their favorites.
Obama spoke Tuesday evening, saying that his "story is part of the larger American story" and his "parents gave him a first name that means 'blessed,' believing that in a tolerant America your name is no barrier to success."
"[His] speech was so inspirational and energetic," Kanneth said. "He made me feel good to be a Democrat."
Obama's speech impressed those on the other side of the political spectrum as well.
"I thought Barack Obama was an impressive orator," Inganamort said. "And, of course, no one can beat the always-slick Bill Clinton. I disagreed vehemently with what he said about President Bush, but boy is he smooth."
In addition to Obama and Clinton, former president Jimmy Carter and U.S. Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton, D-N.Y., spoke. Also, John Edwards was formally nominated for vice president Wednesday night.
"The convention has proven to be an excellent mix of past, present and future," Malon said. "The Clintons, the Kerrys, and Obama have shed light on the positive aspects of the Democratic party."
Amidst the energy surrounding the convention, Kerry's wife and Heinz heiress, Teresa Heinz Kerry, sparked some controversy when she told a Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reporter to "shove it," which the Pittsburgh television station WTAE caught on tape.
"I can appreciate her humor, but I think sometimes she speaks before thinking about what she's saying," said Inganamort.
However, some don't think her comments will affect Kerry's campaign.
"I really enjoyed Mrs. Heinz-Kerry's speech ... I believe that her [Pittsburgh] comments are really only a one-day story," said SPA professor and Campaign Management Institute Director Candice Nelson.
Kanneth agreed.
"Everyone knows Heinz Kerry is an opinionated woman; she said so herself," he said. "I wouldn't expect anything less of her."
Overall, many agree that the convention's audience was animated.
"There have been a few really dynamic speakers and obviously the crowd is very energized," Inganamort said. Of course with conventions, the party puts on a happy face and tries to stay positive, but I think that runs contrary to their unity, which is based almost solely on an intense dislike of President Bush," he said.
Others say the convention has been genuinely unifying.
"I feel the speeches have really rallied the troops," said Nelson.
Kanneth's personal experiences at the convention support Nelson's comment.
"The convention has been exciting, energizing, and a lot of fun. Boston has been great, and the people have been great," he said.
