Party conventions, typically, are meetings of a party's delegates with the intent of voting on matters of policy and, sometimes, to select party candidates for public office. It is in this manner that presidential candidates are chosen. In preparation for the voting day in November, the Democratic party gathered in Los Angeles, CA from August 14 till August 17, pitting the then-Vice President Al Gore against former Senator Bill Bradley for the nomination as presidential candidate. Overall, Gore took the gold in the convention, his opponent having formally withdrawn his own campaign in March of the same year. On the 13th of August - the day before the convention started - Senator Bradley released his own delegates and directed them to support Gore in the nomination.
The DNC of that year was filled with speakers of note, the main being Harold Ford's speech supporting Gore's platform. Being the youngest member of Congress at the time, he directed his speech towards younger voters, saying "I also stand here representing a new generation, a generation committed to those ideals and inspired by an unshakeable confidence in our future."
Speakers of note, in addition to Ford: Senator Bill Fradley, Gore's opponent for the nomination, First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton, Senators Christopher Dodd (Connecticut) and Ted Kennedy (Massachusetts), and Reverend Jesse Jackson.
Perhaps the most important speech, Gore's own aside, was Clinton's endorsement of Gore in light of the closing of his run in the White House. In this speech, he noted his administration's accomplishments, stating in regards to the Vice President: "You gave me that chance to turn those ideas and values into action, after I made one of the best decisions of my life: asking All Gore to be my partner."
Though the President spoke powerfully, though, Gore's speech contained only one mention of his former political partner, focusing instead on the future and the issues. "We're entering a new time, we're electing a new president, and I stand here tonight as my own man. I want you to know me for who I truly am." In these words, it seems he was attempting to distance himself from his part in Clinton's accomplishments (and failures), wishing to portray himself as his own candidate, rather than a continuance of the former administration.
In a turn around from his platform in his 1988 run for president, Gore shifted his platform further left.
- promised to appoint pro-choice judges with more liberal leanings. Gore appointees were more likely to support gay rights and maintain a separation between religion and government
- vowed to maintain a firm distinction between Church and State, and didn't focus on religion as a major issue. However, Gore promoted government partnerships with faith-based groups. His running mate was an observant Jew and often talked about increasing the role of religion in public life
- wanted to lift the "don't ask, don't tell" policy on gays in the military, which was supported by President Clinton. Gore also promised to work toward expanding gay rights, and supported legislation such as the Hate Crime Prevention Act that would broaden the definition of hate crimes to include crimes committed against gay people.
Overall, his new platform served to get him farther than his earlier had, being more supportive of the issues of the day, more open to change. As this is an example, party platforms tend to make or break a candidate, aiding voters in deciding who to vote for in which cases.
Really, it all came down to Gore's running mate: Senator Joe Lieberman. Chosen in August of 2000, Lieberman was the first man of the Jewish faith to run for Vice President, and though he had spent a deal of time aiding in the public bashing of Clinton for his various infidelities, he seemed to be the right choice for Gore's campaign. In a big way, the choice of Lieberman for his running mate was another attempt to distance himself from his time at President Clinton's side.
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