1996 Democratic National Convention

Last updated
1996 Democratic National Convention
1996 presidential election
1996 DNC (1).jpg
DP1992.png DV1992.png
Nominees
Clinton and Gore
Convention
Date(s)August 26–29, 1996
City Chicago, Illinois
Venue United Center
Keynote speaker Evan Bayh
Notable speakers Christopher Dodd
Mario Cuomo
Hillary Clinton
Christopher Reeve
Ted Kennedy
Candidates
Presidential nominee Bill Clinton of Arkansas
Vice-presidential nominee Al Gore of Tennessee
Voting
Total delegates4,289
Votes needed for nomination2,147
Results (president) Clinton (AR): 4,277 (99.72%)
Abstention: 12 (0.28%)
Results (vice president) Gore (TN): 4,289 (100%)
Ballots1
‹  1992  ·  2000  ›

The 1996 Democratic National Convention was held at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois, from August 26 to August 29, 1996. President Bill Clinton and Vice President Al Gore were nominated for reelection. It was the first national convention of either party to be held in Chicago since the riots of the 1968 Democratic convention, and until 2024, was the most recent presidential convention held in the city by either major party.

Contents

Site selection

The United Center was the site of the 1996 Democratic National Convention. The Center would host the Democratic National Convention again in 2024. United Center 060716.jpg
The United Center was the site of the 1996 Democratic National Convention. The Center would host the Democratic National Convention again in 2024.

Chicago, Kansas City, Los Angeles, New Orleans, New York, and San Antonio were originally considered as possible host cities. Los Angeles withdrew its bid after the 1994 Northridge earthquake. [1] Kansas City would also withdraw. [2]

On August 4, 1994, it was announced that Chicago had beaten out the other finalist, San Antonio, for the right to host the convention. [3] This would mark the first time that Chicago hosted a major presidential year political convention since the violent 1968 Democratic National Convention, and the first time a political convention was held in the United Center, which had been recently completed. [4]

During the bidding for the convention, Chicago was seen as a frontrunner. One dynamic in Chicago's favor was that chairman of the Democratic National Committee David Wilhelm had strong connections to the city. [5] [6] Also seen as helpful to Chicago's odds was the goodwill that Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley had earned with President Clinton by helping to lobby Chicago-area congressmen to support the North American Free Trade Agreement. [5] The fact that First Lady Hillary Clinton was raised in the Chicago suburbs was seen as helpful. Bill Clinton's close relationship with Mayor Daley's brother William M. Daley and Clinton's appreciation of Mayor Daley's endorsement of him during the 1992 Democratic Party presidential primaries were also seen as aiding Chicago's chances. [6] Additionally, heading into 1996, Illinois was projected to be a key "battleground state". [7]

Of the bid cities, Chicago's proposed the largest funding package, proposing that its host committee would raise $32 million for the convention. [6]

This was the 25th major party convention to be held in Chicago. [4] Chicago has held more major party conventions than any other city. [4] [8] [9]

Bids

Bid cities
CityVenuePrevious major party conventions hosted by city
Chicago, Illinois United Center Democratic: 1864, 1884, 1892, 1896, 1932, 1940, 1944, 1952, 1956, 1968
Republican: 1860, 1868, 1880, 1884, 1888, 1904, 1908, 1912, 1916, 1920, 1932, 1944, 1952, 1960
New York City, New York [3] Madison Square Garden Democratic: 1868, 1924, 1976, 1980, 1992
New Orleans, Louisiana [3] Louisiana Superdome Republican: 1988
San Antonio, Texas Alamodome [10] —
Kansas City, Missouri (withdrew bid)Democratic: 1900
Republican: 1928, 1976
Los Angeles, California (withdrew bid) Los Angeles Convention Center [1] Democratic: 1960

Preparations and logistics

Ahead of the convention, in order to project a positive image of the city, Mayor Daley dedicated a large amount funding towards planting new trees and decorative potted flowers throughout the West Loop area in which the convention would be held as well as in the city's downtown. [11] The convention came at a time where changes and beautification were underway in the West Loop, including the repaving of roads, the addition of decorative planters, and the installation of ornate street lamps. The Madison Street overpass above the Kennedy Expressway was decorated with red white and blue stars. Greektown underwent a streetscape enhancement project. In the weeks ahead of the convention, a demolition project on five buildings of the Henry Horner Homes near the venue was completed. City officials claime that the timing of some of the enhancements to the West Loop was coincidental. [12] Temporary decorations were also added, including stickers advertising the convention on 2,000 street signs. [12]

A temporary convention-oriented bus route was established between the United Center and locations in The Loop. [12] Events related to the convention were held in venues throughout Chicago in order to showcase the city. [13] Hundreds of events related to the convention were held. [12]

The convention introduced a new style four-screen speech prompting system for speakers consisting of two glass teleprompters, accompanied by an inset lectern monitor, and for the first time, a large under-camera confidence monitor. [14]

Notable speakers

The convention's keynote speaker was Governor Evan Bayh of Indiana. The nomination speech was given by Senator Christopher Dodd of Connecticut. Other notable speakers included former New York governor Mario Cuomo, First Lady of the United States Hillary Rodham Clinton, actor Christopher Reeve, House Minority Leader Dick Gephardt, Senate Minority Leader Tom Daschle, and other Senators Russ Feingold of Wisconsin, and John Kerry and Ted Kennedy of Massachusetts.[ citation needed ]

With Clinton's wife, Hillary, speaking at the Democratic convention, and his opponent Bob Dole's wife Elizabeth Dole having spoken at the Republican convention, 1996 became the year in which it became established practice that both major party candidates spouses speak at their party's convention. [15]

Clinton's renomination speech

Bill Clinton delivering his renomination speech President Clinton's Remarks at the 1996 Democratic National Convention (1).jpg
Bill Clinton delivering his renomination speech
President Bill Clinton, Hillary Clinton, Vice President Al Gore, Senator Paul Simon and others on stage celebrating the renomination of Bill Clinton as the Democratic Party candidate for president 1996 Democratic National Convention.jpg
President Bill Clinton, Hillary Clinton, Vice President Al Gore, Senator Paul Simon and others on stage celebrating the renomination of Bill Clinton as the Democratic Party candidate for president

Clinton's speech on August 29 included his vision for the next decade, included tax cuts for the middle-class, 20 million more jobs, a strong defense with cuts in the military, but a strong presence of peacemaking troops, new military weapons and tanks, welfare reform goals for states and communities, and a peaceful transition for the Middle East.[ citation needed ]

Refusal of delegates to Lyndon LaRouche

Lyndon LaRouche had run for president through multiple parties over multiple election cycles. In 1996, he ran for the nomination of the Democratic party, despite the Chair of the Democratic National Party ruling that Lyndon LaRouche "is not to be considered a qualified candidate for nomination of the Democratic Party for President" before the primaries began. In subsequent primaries LaRouche received enough votes in Louisiana and Virginia to get one delegate from each state. When the state parties refused to award the delegates, LaRouche sued in federal court, claiming a violation of the Voting Rights Act. After losing in the district court, the case was appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit, which sustained the lower court. [16]

Voting

Clinton was nominated unanimously for a second term and Vice President Al Gore by voice vote.

The Balloting:

Candidates Bill Clinton.jpg
Name William J. Clinton
Certified Votes4,277 (99.72%)
Abstentions12 (0.28%)
total:4,337

Clinton and Gore went on to defeat Bob Dole and Jack Kemp in the November general election in an Electoral College landslide with a substantial popular vote margin.

Notable events

On August 28, Civil Rights Movement historian Randy Kryn and 10 others were arrested by the Federal Protective Service while doing a demonstration. [17]

In the middle of the convention, many of the delegates danced to the song "Macarena". Al Gore famously danced to the song while standing still. [18] [19]

The original Broadway cast of Rent performed "Seasons of Love" at the end of the convention. [20] [21]

Taste of Chicago, a group of restaurants who have an annual street festival, catered the press area.[ citation needed ]

Reception

Chicago's performance as a convention host city was regarded to have been successful. [6]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1996 United States presidential election</span> 53rd quadrennial U.S. presidential election

The 1996 United States presidential election was the 53rd quadrennial presidential election, held on Tuesday, November 5, 1996. Incumbent Democratic President Bill Clinton defeated former Senate Majority Leader Bob Dole, the Republican nominee, and Ross Perot, the Reform Party nominee and 1992 independent presidential candidate.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1968 Democratic National Convention</span> Selection of the Democratic nominee for the 1968 U.S. presidential election in Chicago

The 1968 Democratic National Convention was held August 26–29 at the International Amphitheatre in Chicago, Illinois, United States. Earlier that year incumbent President Lyndon B. Johnson had announced he would not seek reelection, thus making the purpose of the convention to select a new presidential nominee for the Democratic Party. Vice President Hubert Humphrey and Senator Edmund Muskie of Maine were nominated for president and vice president, respectively.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">United States presidential nominating convention</span>

A United States presidential nominating convention is a political convention held every four years in the United States by most of the political parties who will be fielding nominees in the upcoming U.S. presidential election. The formal purpose of such a convention is to select the party's nominee for popular election as President, as well as to adopt a statement of party principles and goals known as the party platform and adopt the rules for the party's activities, including the presidential nominating process for the next election cycle.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1988 Democratic National Convention</span> U.S. political event held in Atlanta, Georgia

The 1988 Democratic National Convention was held at The Omni in Atlanta, Georgia, from July 18 to 21, 1988, to select candidates for the 1988 presidential election. At the convention Governor Michael Dukakis of Massachusetts was nominated for president and Senator Lloyd Bentsen of Texas for vice president. The chair of the convention was Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives Jim Wright.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2000 Democratic National Convention</span> U.S. political event held in Los Angeles, California

The 2000 Democratic National Convention was a quadrennial presidential nominating convention for the Democratic Party. The convention nominated Vice President Al Gore for president and Senator Joe Lieberman from Connecticut for vice president. The convention was held at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California from August 14 to August 17, 2000. Gore accepted the presidential nomination on August 17, the final night of the convention.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2004 Democratic National Convention</span> U.S. political event held in Boston, Massachusetts

The 2004 Democratic National Convention convened from July 26 to 29, 2004 at the FleetCenter in Boston, Massachusetts, and nominated Senator John Kerry from Massachusetts for president and Senator John Edwards from North Carolina for vice president, respectively, in the 2004 presidential election.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1996 Republican National Convention</span> U.S. political event held in San Diego, California

The 1996 Republican National Convention convened at the San Diego Convention Center in San Diego, California, from August 12 to August 15, 1996. The convention nominated Senator Bob Dole from Kansas, for president and former Representative and secretary of Housing and Urban Development Jack Kemp, from suburban Buffalo, New York, for vice president.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1988 Republican National Convention</span> Political convention of the Republican Party

The 1988 Republican National Convention was held in the Louisiana Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana, from August 15 to August 18, 1988. It was the second time that a major party held its convention in one of the five states known as the Deep South, coming on the heels of the 1988 Democratic National Convention, which was held in Atlanta, Georgia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1992 Democratic National Convention</span> Political convention

The 1992 Democratic National Convention nominated Governor Bill Clinton of Arkansas for president and Senator Al Gore from Tennessee for vice president; Clinton announced Gore as his running-mate on July 9, 1992. The convention was held at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York from July 13 to July 16, 1992. The Clinton-Gore ticket then faced and defeated their Republican opponents, President George H. W. Bush and Vice President Dan Quayle as well as the independent ticket of Ross Perot and James Stockdale in the 1992 presidential election.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1976 Republican National Convention</span> Political convention of the Republican Party

The 1976 Republican National Convention was a United States political convention of the Republican Party that met from August 16 to August 19, 1976, to select the party's nominees for president and vice president. Held in Kemper Arena in Kansas City, Missouri, the convention nominated President Gerald Ford for a full term, but only after narrowly defeating a strong challenge from former California Governor Ronald Reagan. The convention also nominated Senator Bob Dole from Kansas for vice president, instead of Vice President Nelson Rockefeller, who did not seek nomination for a full term. The keynote address was delivered by Tennessee Senator Howard Baker. Other notable speakers included Minnesota Representative Al Quie, retired Lieutenant Colonel and former Vietnam prisoner of war Raymond Schrump, former Democratic Texas Governor John Connally, Providence, Rhode Island mayor Vincent Cianci and Michigan Senator Robert P. Griffin. It is the last national convention by either of the two major parties to feature a seriously contested nomination between candidates.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2008 Democratic National Convention</span> U.S. political event held in Denver, Colorado

The 2008 Democratic National Convention was a quadrennial presidential nominating convention of the Democratic Party where it adopted its national platform and officially nominated its candidates for president and vice president. The convention was held in Denver, Colorado, from August 25 to 28, 2008, at the Pepsi Center. Senator Barack Obama from Illinois gave his acceptance speech on August 28 at Invesco Field in what the party called an "Open Convention". Denver last hosted the Democratic National Convention in 1908. Obama became the party's first nonwhite nominee, and nominee of African descent, for president. Senator Joe Biden from Delaware was nominated for vice president.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2000 Republican National Convention</span> U.S. political event held in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

The 2000 Republican National Convention convened at the First Union Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, from July 31 to August 3, 2000. The 2,066 delegates assembled at the convention nominated Texas Governor George W. Bush for president and former U.S. Secretary of Defense Richard B. "Dick" Cheney for vice president.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1984 Democratic National Convention</span> U.S. political event held in San Francisco, California

The 1984 Democratic National Convention was held at the Moscone Center in San Francisco, California from July 16 to July 19, 1984, to select candidates for the 1984 United States presidential election. Former Vice President Walter Mondale was nominated for president and Representative Geraldine Ferraro of New York was nominated for vice president. Ferraro became the first woman to be nominated by either major party for the presidency or vice presidency. In another first, the 1984 Democratic Convention was chaired by the female governor of Kentucky, Martha Layne Collins. The Democratic National Committee Chairman at the time, Charles T. Manatt, led the convention.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1980 Democratic National Convention</span> U.S. political event held in Madison Square Garden in New York City

The 1980 Democratic National Convention nominated President Jimmy Carter and Vice President Walter Mondale for reelection. The convention was held in Madison Square Garden in New York City from August 11 to August 14, 1980.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1956 Democratic National Convention</span> U.S. political event held in Chicago, Illinois

The 1956 Democratic National Convention nominated former Governor Adlai Stevenson of Illinois for president and Senator Estes Kefauver of Tennessee for vice president. It was held in the International Amphitheatre on the South Side of Chicago from August 13 to August 17, 1956. Unsuccessful candidates for the presidential nomination included Governor W. Averell Harriman of New York, Senator Lyndon B. Johnson of Texas, and Senator Stuart Symington of Missouri.

The following is a schedule of the 2008 Democratic National Convention that was held from August 25 to August 27 at Pepsi Center and on August 28 at INVESCO Field at Mile High in Denver, Colorado.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2016 Democratic National Convention</span> American political event

The 2016 Democratic National Convention was a presidential nominating convention, held at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, from July 25 to 28, 2016. The convention gathered delegates of the Democratic Party, the majority of them elected through a preceding series of primaries and caucuses, to nominate a candidate for president and vice president in the 2016 United States presidential election. Former U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton was chosen as the party's nominee for president by a 54% majority of delegates present at the convention roll call securing it over primary rival Senator Bernie Sanders, who received 46% of votes from delegates, and becoming the first female candidate to be formally nominated for president by a major political party in the United States. Her running mate, Senator Tim Kaine from Virginia, was confirmed by delegates as the party's nominee for vice president by acclamation.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bill Clinton 1996 presidential campaign</span>

The 1996 presidential campaign of Bill Clinton, the 42nd president of the United States, announced his candidacy for re-election as president on April 14, 1995. On August 29, 1996, he again became the nominee of the Democratic Party for the 1996 presidential election. Along with his running mate, Vice President Al Gore, President Bill Clinton was opposed in the general election by former U.S. Senator Bob Dole of Kansas, Ross Perot from Texas, and minor candidates from other parties. The election took place on Tuesday, November 5, 1996.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2024 Democratic National Convention</span>

The 2024 Democratic National Convention was a presidential nominating convention in which delegates of the United States Democratic Party voted on their party platform and ceremonially reported their vote to nominate Vice President Kamala Harris for president and her chosen running mate Governor Tim Walz for vice president in the 2024 presidential election. It was held from August 19 to 22, 2024, at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois. Delegates virtually nominated Harris and Walz the first week of August. Harris is the first Black woman and first South Asian woman to be the presidential nominee of a major political party in the United States, and the first Democratic presidential nominee from the Western United States.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bob Dole 1996 presidential campaign</span> Political campaign for United States presidency

The 1996 presidential campaign of Bob Dole began when Republican Senator and Senate Majority Leader Bob Dole formally announced his candidacy for Republican Party nomination in 1995. After beating other candidates in the primaries, he became the Republican nominee, with his opponent being Democratic incumbent President Bill Clinton in the 1996 presidential election. Dole conceded defeat in the race in a telephone call to Clinton on November 5, 1996.

References

  1. 1 2 Rainey, James (15 Feb 1994). "L.A. Halts Bid to Host GOP, Democratic Conventions" . Newspapers.com. Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 18 May 2021.
  2. ↑ Mannies, Jo (31 Mar 1994). "City To '96 GOP: Not Here". Newspapers.com. St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Retrieved 18 May 2021.
  3. 1 2 3 "Chicago Convention". CNN All Politics. Retrieved September 4, 2012.
  4. 1 2 3 "AllPolitics - Democratic National Convention". www.cnn.com. CNN. 1996. Retrieved 6 August 2020.
  5. 1 2 Fitzpatrick, James C. (3 Mar 1994). "Trying to lure the Democrats" . Newspapers.com. The Kansas City Star.
  6. 1 2 3 4 Sweet, Lynn (11 April 2023). "Chicago to host 2024 Democratic National Convention". Chicago Sun-Times. Retrieved 11 April 2023.
  7. ↑ Hardy, Thomas (10 December 1995). "POLITICS PRIMED FOR NEW SEASON". chicagotribune.com. Chicago Tribune. Retrieved 18 May 2021.
  8. ↑ "Why the Conventions No Longer Come To Chicago". NBC Chicago. WMAQ-TV. 5 September 2012. Retrieved 6 August 2020.
  9. ↑ Sautter, R. Craig. "Political Conventions". www.encyclopedia.chicagohistory.org. Encyclopedia of Chicago. Retrieved 6 August 2020.
  10. ↑ Verhovek, Sam Howe (1 Jun 1994). "San Antonio Looks for convention" . Newspapers.com. The Miami Herald. New York Times Service. Retrieved 18 May 2021.
  11. ↑ Byrne, John; Quig, A.D. (21 May 2023). "DNC in Chicago: Good vibes expected, but questions about economic impact". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved 29 August 2023.
  12. 1 2 3 4 "Democrats, City Putting Last Touches to the Party". Chicago Tribune. 19 August 1996.
  13. ↑ Bradley, Ben (11 April 2023). "A look back to when Chicago hosted the 1996 DNC". WGN-TV. Retrieved 29 August 2023.
  14. ↑ "Speakers send a strong message". Detroit Free Press (Detroit, Michigan). August 27, 1996. Retrieved October 12, 2019.
  15. ↑ "Trump, Biden Favorable Ratings Both Below 50%". Gallup.com. 18 September 2020. Retrieved 19 January 2021.
  16. ↑ "USA v. Khan Mohammed". U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit. Retrieved September 4, 2012.
  17. ↑ "The Federal Protective Service arrested 11 protesters Wednesday in...", United Press International , August 28, 1996, retrieved November 19, 2022
  18. ↑ Lawrence, Derek (July 29, 1996). "Relive Hillary Clinton dancing to the 'Macarena' at the 1996 DNC" . Retrieved July 31, 2016.
  19. ↑ Plante, Chris (July 29, 2016). "When the Macarena moved Hillary Clinton and the 1996 Democratic National Convention to dance". The Verge. Retrieved July 31, 2016.
  20. ↑ Metz, Nina (February 8, 2008). "Seasons of 'Rent': From 'La Boheme' to becoming an icon" . Retrieved August 1, 2016.
  21. ↑ Román, David (February 1, 1998). Acts of Intervention: Performance, Gay Culture, and AIDS. Indiana University Press. p. 282. ISBN   978-0-253-21168-2 . Retrieved August 1, 2016.
Preceded by
1992
New York, New York 		Democratic National Conventions Succeeded by
2000
Los Angeles, California
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.