By David Drucker
Daily Bruin Contributor
Sen. Joseph I. Lieberman, D-Conn, accepted the Democratic
Party’s 2000 vice presidential nomination last night in front of an
enthusiastic Democratic National Convention delegation.
Lieberman, who was introduced by his wife Hadassah, acknowledged
the significance of being the first Jew nominated to a national
ticket, and proclaimed it could happen "…only in America."
Levin G. Sy, a graduate student in the Department of Urban
Planning and a California delegate, said he was extremely pleased
with what he heard.
"Lieberman’s speech was great," said Sy, who mentioned Lieberman
spent part of the morning speaking to Asian Pacific American
delegates and the issues that concern them.
Likewise, Scott Sconkin, a member of B’nai B’rith of Southern
California, the international Jewish organization’s local chapter
was inspired.
"I was moved; his comment, ‘only in America,’ resonated with
me," Sconkin said.
"As an American, and as a Jewish American, I’m proud that today
is a new opportunity for all people in this country."
Collins Howleck, an African American attendee and chairman of
the Democratic Club of Richmond, Va. was equally impressed with
Lieberman.
"He was great, he was emotional, he was factual," Collins said.
"And when he talked about marching with Martin Luther King and
going to Mississippi, that’s all I needed to hear."
Earlier in the day, the vice presidential nominee met with the
Congressional Black Caucus to assure them of his commitment to
affirmative action.
In his 30 minute speech at the convention Wednesday night,
Lieberman mixed humor with heartfelt bipartisan appeals and
attempted to answer the political salvos thrown by the Republican
two weeks ago in Philadelphia.
Lieberman’s purpose was clearly to energize the Democratic base,
appeal to the moderate majority of middle-American voters, and to
draw a contrast with the GOP.
Fernando Torres-Gil, associate dean of the UCLA School of Public
Policy and Social Research and a 1988 California delegate, was
pleasantly surprised with the delegates’ response to Lieberman, and
also said he was politically right on target.
"Lieberman pushed all the right buttons," Torres-Gil said. "He
appealed to the core constituency of the Democratic Party and did
what he had to do to show that he was flexible and that he would
not go against Al Gore’s basic positions."
Toward the conclusion of his address, Lieberman performed
perhaps his most important campaign duty when he vouched for Gore’s
character.
"I have known Al for 15 years. I know his record and his heart,"
Lieberman told the audience. "Al Gore is … a man of vision and a
man of values."
In reference to Lieberman’s well known conservative opinions on
affirmative action and school vouchers, Torres-Gil said he sensed
relief on the part of the delegates following Lieberman’s
statements on those subjects.
"When it comes to affirmative action, mend it, don’t end it," he
said. "We’re committed to making America’s public schools the best
in the world."
Torres-Gil said Lieberman achieved the objective of his
acceptance speech.
"Lieberman was successful in showing that he would play ball,
and that he could be faithful to the core constituency," he said.
"Lieberman delivered."