Democrats Revel In A Hassle-Free Convention

By Craig Staats/AllPolitics

CHICAGO (AllPolitics, Aug. 29) -- The suspense quotient may have been nil, but, all in all, Democrats have to be pleased with their Chicago convention so far.

With President Bill Clinton rolling toward the city on his campaign train and producing news, or a reasonable facsimile thereof, every day, and liberals saying they can disagree with the president on welfare reform and still support the ticket, the story out of Chicago is one of unity and harmony.

In time, other events -- the three fall debates, for sure -- will blot out this relatively news-free convention.

But for now, Democrats can grab a slice of deep-dish Chicago pizza and revel happily in the pleasure of:

The anticipation of tonight's climactic acceptance speech by Bill Clinton, who promised "the best is yet to come."
A unified party, big enough to give the podium to people like Jesse Jackson and Mario Cuomo, who may differ with the president, but still can fire up a crowd on the president's behalf.
First Lady Hillary Clinton, reviled by Republicans, who can strike back in her own way with a measured defense of the importance of community.
Vice President Al Gore, who adroitly managed to praise Dole for what he did in World War II and blast him for everything he did -- or didn't do -- in the Senate. Without talking about Dole's age, Gore portrayed him as someone locked in the past.
It was all prelude to the roll call vote that renominated Clinton, the actual business of the convention.
Now, all the delegates and a national TV audience can do is wait to see what sort of tone Clinton sets in his acceptance speech.

Democrats Revel In A Hassle-Free Convention

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