The Staples Center (now theCrypto.com Arena) was the site of the 2000 Democratic National Convention.
TheDemocratic National Committee (DNC) initially invited 28 cities to bid for the convention. The "preliminary general requirements" that the Democratic Party asked of bidding cities was to be able to provide 20,000 high-quality hotel rooms within 30 minutes of the venue, and for the venue to capable of holding 25,000 counting both fixed seating and floor seating.[1] Nine cities submitted proposals.[2] Of these, seven cities (Boston,Denver,Los Angeles,Miami,Minneapolis,New Orleans, andPhiladelphia) received visits from DNC representatives.[2][1] All except New Orleans were offering new venues that had been constructed in the 1990s.[1] Philadelphia withdrew its bid after being selected as the host of the2000 Republican National Convention. Boston, Denver, and Los Angeles were named as finalists.
On March 15, 1999, the DNC announced Los Angeles as the site of the convention.[2] This was the second Democratic National Convention to be held in Los Angeles, with the first having been the1960 convention.[3] The other finalist cities would host the two following Democratic National Conventions; Boston hosted the2004 convention while Denver hosted the2008 convention.
Co-chairman of the committee leading Los Angeles' bid for the convention includedEli Broad andDavid Geffen, among others. The effort for Los Angeles to host was modeled after the private/public venture used to stage the1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles.[3] The city decided to bid only for the Democratic convention, and not seek the Republican convention because they felt that the odds of Republicans holding a convention in California was unlikely since the1996 Republican National Convention was inSan Diego, California.[3]
Since the mid-20th century or earlier, it has been tradition for the party of the incumbent president to hold their convention after that of the other major party.[4] In 2000, Republicans held their convention July 31 through August 3.[5]
At both the 2000 major party presidential nominating conventions, security was heightened compared to that of past conventions.[7]
Crowd control security concerns were heightened at the Democratic convention due to a number of the organizations behind the activities of the1999 Seattle WTO protests pledging to protest in Los Angeles during the convention.[8][9][10] Also, still in recent memory, was the1992 Los Angeles riots.[9]
Per a Democratic National Convention Committee's press release, the stage of the convention was elevated five feet above the floor of the arena, was roughly 3,700 square feet in area (with thepodium measuring 1,825 square feet, the orchestra measuring 1,225 square feet, and the camera turrets measuring 720 square feet), and had an 18 × 30 foot video screen.[12]
The podium'slectern was able to be mechanically lowered beneath the stage, and the walls located behind both sides of the lectern could also be raised from on the stage.[12]
The podium was painted with water-based non-toxic paint, with the colors being Red 199, Blue 300, TV White (Cool Gray #3), and Metal Effects platinum #ME222.[12]
Rene Lagler, who had been the interior designer for the1988,1992, and1996 conventions, designed the podium, in addition to designing the central camera platform and also working on both the convention's interior and exterior design.[12]
Bob Dickenson served as the convention's lighting designer, and Batrick Baltzell served as its audio designer.[12]
On September 21, 1999,[15] a number of members of the convention's leadership were announced. Lydia Camarillo was announced as the convention'schief executive officer (CEO). Donald J. Foley was announced aschief operating officer (COO) of the convention. Rod O'Connor was announced as the chief of staff for the convention.Jeff Modisett was announced as deputy CEO and generalcounsel for the convention. Katreice Banks was announced as deputy CEO for external affairs.Mona Pasquil was announced as deputy CEO for community relations. It was also announced that Yolanda Caraway would consult with the conventions for external affairs, credentials, and productions. Jaci Wilson was announced as the convention's director of housing. Ofield Dukes was announced as one of the convention's communications consultants.[16]
On September 23, 1999,Roy Romer was announced as chair of the Democratic National Convention Committee.[17]
On December 9, 1999, additional convention staff were announced for the Democratic National Convention Committee. Anette Avina was announced as senior advisor to the CEO and director of special projects. Travis Berry was announced as senior advisor to the chairman and director of special projects. Simone M. Greene was announced as special assistant to the COO. Cindy M. Lott was announced as deputy general counsel. Liana Shwarz was announced as special assistant to the CEO. Lou Vasta was announced as director of logistics and operations. Luis Vizcaino was announced as the DNCC's press secretary.[18]
On February 23, 2000, the Democratic National Convention Committee announced three key members of its convention security task force. Ken Banner was announced as director of security. John Vezeris and Joseph A. Masonis were announced as managing directors of the task force.[11]
On March 10, 2000, Brian L. Wickersham was announced as the Democratic National Convention Committee's director of transportation, and Jeffery Lowery was announced as its deputy director of transportation.[19]
On April 27, 2000, the Democratic National Convention Committee's production team was announced. Gary Smith was announced as executive producer,Ricky Kirshner was announced as producer, and Thomas E. Gorman was announced as director of production.[20]
Each day of the convention was assigned a theme. The first day's theme was "Prosperity and Progress", highlighting the economic progress that had occurred under the Clinton–Gore administration. The second day's theme was "New Heights: You Ain't Seen Nothing Yet", focusing on the potential of the future if proper decisions are carried out by new leadership. The third day's theme was "Al Gore: The Principled Fighter", highlighting Al Gore's life story. The closing day's theme was "Al Gore's vision for the future".[23][24]
Gore was nominated unanimously, and during the roll-call vote for president,Florida's delegation was given the honor of putting Gore over-the-top as the official nominee.
On the day before the convention startedBill Bradley released his delegates and directed them to vote for Gore. The votes of Bradley's delegates that wished to vote for him were registered as abstentions.The Balloting:
Senator Joe Lieberman was nominated as the party's candidate for Vice President by voice vote.
Lieberman's formal nomination took place on the closing night of the convention, despite him having delivered his acceptance speech the previous night.[22][25]
Yvonne Atkinson-Gates, chair of the Clark County Commission[25]
Joe Biden, United States senator from Delaware and candidate for the1988 Democratic presidential nomination, and eventual 46th President of the United States[25]
David Bonior, United States House of Representatives Democratic Whip[25]
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Outgoing presidentBill Clinton spoke on the convention's first night. Clinton noted his administration's accomplishments and praised Gore, saying that "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 Al Gore to be my partner."[27]
His first speech was a welcoming speech on behalf of the host state of the convention. In it, he harkened back to the1960 Democratic National Convention held in Los Angeles 40 years earlier, which nominatedJohn F. Kennedy for president, and declared, "we remain the new frontier President Kennedy envisioned here. And our party still embodies the spirit of service and duty he called to life.". He highlighted a number of values and issues that he argued were promoted by Democratic Party.[31]
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The keynote speaker of the convention was CongressmanHarold Ford Jr. ofTennessee. Ford spoke on the second night of the convention.[21]
Ford, who, at 30, was at the time the youngest member of Congress, 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 unshakable confidence in our future."[26]
The present leadership in Congress has been totally unwilling to consider, much less decide, issues that are very important for millions of people...Every day in every way, Republican leadership has been one-sided, intolerant of other views, unbending to compromise and consensus. Hear me. When we win the White House back, we will replace "my way or the highway" with our way together.
Minority leader of the United States House of RepresentativesDick Gephardt of Missouri spoke on the convention's third night.[22] In his speech, he criticized the Republican majority in both chambers of the United States Congress. He characterized them as unwilling to pass a patients' bill of rights, aMedicare prescription benefit, campaign reform, and gun safety measures.[30]
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The Presidency is more than a popularity contest. It's a day-by-day fight for people. Sometimes, you have to choose to do what's difficult or unpopular. Sometimes, you have to be willing to spend your popularity in order to pick the hard right over the easy wrong. There are big choices ahead, and our whole future is at stake. And I do have strong beliefs about it. If you entrust me with the Presidency, I know I won't always be the most exciting politician. But I pledge to you tonight, I will work for you every day and I will never let you down.
—Al Gore at the 2000 Democratic National Convention[32]
Al Gore delivered his presidential nomination acceptance speech on the final night of the convention.[25]
Gore's acceptance speech focused on the future saying, "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." He mentioned President Clinton only once near the beginning of the speech. The speech was focused on issues: "I'm here to talk seriously about the issues. I believe people deserve to know specifically what a candidate proposes to do. I intend to tell you tonight. You ought to be able to know, and then judge for yourself."[33]
In his speech, Jackson criticized the Republican convention held two weeks earlier, commenting, "Two weeks ago, in Philadelphia, the nation was treated to a stage show - smoke, mirrors, hired acts that Republicans called inclusion. That was the inclusion illusion. In Philadelphia, diversity ended on the stage. They could not mention the words Africa, Appalachia, or AIDS once. So it is good to be here in Los Angeles, to look over this great assembly and see the real deal - the quilt of many patches that is America."[34]
Jackson strongly praised the selection of Lieberman as Gore's running mate, while criticizing Republican vice presidential nomineeDick Cheney.[34]
Jackson named a number of issues where he argued Gore and Lieberman held the moral high ground over Bush and Cheney.[34]
Jackson characterized the Republicans as a "grizzly old team" seeking to give tax breaks to the rich.[35] He warned voters that a Bush victory would not just bring Bush to power, but also a "team" comprised Republicans such asDick Armey,Bob Barr,Tom DeLay,Jesse Helms, andStrom Thurmond.[35] Jackson urged America to, "stay out of the Bushes", a phrase which the audience began chanting.[35]
Al, I know you're watching tonight. And I want America to know what I know: you're going to be one of the best Presidents the country has ever had. We need a person with your commitment. We need a person with your heart. Because the Office of the President represents every child on Earth.
ActorTommy Lee Jones, who had been college roommates with Al Gore, delivered a nominating speech for Gore on the convention's third night. Jones recounted his friendship with Gore, and hailed Gore's character.[36]
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When Al Gore chose my husband as his running mate, this country got a man whose mission in life is inspired by the people he serves and the community he loves.
Hadassah Lieberman, the wife of the vice presidential nominee, delivered an introduction before her Husband's acceptance speech on the convention's third night.[22]
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Lieberman delivered his vice presidential nomination acceptance speech on the third night of the convention, despite the fact that he would not be formally nominated until the next day.[22][25]
Vice-presidential nominee Lieberman invoked the spirit ofJohn F. Kennedy in his speech, saying: "Tonight, I believe that the next frontier isn't just in front of us, but inside of us--to overcome the differences that are still between us, to break down the barriers that remain and to help every American claim the possibilities of their own lives."[37]
Large scale, sometimes violent protests took place outside of the Staples Center as well as throughoutdowntown Los Angeles. Protest groups ranged fromanti-abortion supporters, to homeless activists, to anti-globalization protestors, and anarchists. Out of increased fear after the surprise mass-protests at the 1999 "Battle for Seattle" WTO protests, media coverage andLAPD concern were heightened for the event.
Concerns were further raised when violent riots also broke out after theLos Angeles Lakers won the 2000National Basketball Association Championship only a few months before the convention. Originally, a "Protest Zone" was designated a city block away from the Staples Center, but a court order forced the zone moved immediately adjacent to the arena, in a parking lot.
The protests became violent during the first evening of the convention, and many different protests, some orderly, some violent, took place over the full four days of the convention. There were numerous arrests, injuries and property damage, but the protests were less than originally feared. The bandRage Against the Machine played outside the convention showing its disdain of the policies being promoted inside the building.
In November, Al Gore narrowly lost to Texas GovernorGeorge W. Bush in thegeneral election having won the popular vote but losing the electoral vote in adecision handed down more than a month after the election by theSupreme Court. This decision read as follows: "Noting that the Equal Protection clause guarantees individuals that their ballots cannot be devalued by 'later arbitrary and disparate treatment,' the per curiam opinion held 7–2 that the Florida Supreme Court's scheme for recounting ballots was unconstitutional. Even if the recount was fair in theory, it was unfair in practice. The record suggested that different standards were applied from ballot to ballot, precinct to precinct, and county to county. Because of those and other procedural difficulties, the court held, 5 to 4, that no constitutional recount could be fashioned in the time remaining".[38]
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