By Linh Tat
Daily Bruin Senior Staff
The 2000 Democratic National Convention may end with Al Gore
accepting his presidential nomination, but the DNC began as a
tribute to the current president and his administration.
Monday night, delegates at Staples Center paid tribute to former
president Jimmy Carter, First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton and
President Clinton.
Already on its feet before Clinton made his way onto the stage,
the crowd started chanting "thank you" to the outgoing
president.
Clinton began his speech with expressions of gratitude to the
American people for his two terms in office.
"I come here tonight, above all else, to give a heartfelt thank
you," he said, before launching into an account of his
administration’s accomplishments in the past eight years.
He cited raising scores on standardized tests and expanding
financial aid for college through the HOPE scholarship, Lifelong
Learning tax cuts and AmeriCorps.
Clinton also expressed his support for Gore and Joseph
Lieberman, Gore’s running mate.
"More than anybody else I’ve known in public life, Al Gore
understands the future and how sweeping changes and scientific
breakthroughs affect Americans’ daily lives," Clinton said.
"Al Gore and Joe Lieberman embody the Democratic commitment to
building one America," he continued.
While some people have questioned whether Clinton’s presence in
Los Angelesthis past week has overshadowed Gore’s campaign, Earl
Ziemann, a delegate from Huntington Beach, said the tribute to
Clinton during the first night of the convention was
appropriate.
"What it does is remind everyone of the positives that have
happened in his two terms," Ziemann said.
The spotlight also shone on six female senators Monday night,
including California’s Dianne Feinstein and Barbara Boxer. Many of
them stressed the need to have more women in the U.S. Senate.
"It’s especially motivating to hear the women get up and speak,"
said Marilyn DiGiacobbe, a delegate from New Jersey who served as a
special assistant to Clinton from 1992-99.
"We need role models in our party to promote and encourage other
women to use their skills. It’s very critical to the future of our
country that both (the male and female) perspectives be heard," she
continued.
After all six senators spoke, Barbara Mikulski, senator of
Maryland and vice chair of the DNC, introduced Hillary Clinton as
soon-to-be first female senator of New York, one of several
references to the First Lady’s run for Senate throughout the
evening.
Speaking before a full crowd, the first lady reminisced about
the past two presidential terms.
"When Bill, Al, Tipper and I got on that bus after our
convention eight years ago…I remember a group of children holding
a sign: `Please stop. If you give us eight minutes, we’ll give you
eight years,’" Hillary said.
"Well, we did stop, we did listen. And what an eight years it’s
been," she continued.
Some delegates said they did not mind politicians using the DNC
to promote the First Lady’s own campaign.
"They made references to it, and they should," said Sharon
Shinkle, a delegate from New Jersey. "It’s really to recognize her
as the First Lady. If they want to mention she’s running for
senator of New York, then more power to her."
"She’s a dynamic First Lady. She should have air time," Shinkle
continued.
Also appearing on stage were actor Dylan McDermott, singer
Melissa Etheridge, Gov. Gray Davis and Los Angeles Mayor Richard
Riordan.
Nostalgia permeated Clinton’s speech from beginning to end, as
his departing words to America echoed the same sentiments that were
said during his campaign four years ago.
"Remember, keep putting people first," Clinton said. "Keep
building those bridges. And don’t stop thinking about
tomorrow."