The Inside Press

Magazines serving the communities of Northern Westchester

Democratic National Convention

DNC: The Capacity to Love

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Grace convention shotBy Grace Bennett

As the publisher of a hometown magazine for Hillary Clinton, and a life-long Democrat, I was proud to attend the Democratic National Convention as press. I was as excited as any friend, family or delegate visitor to Philly’s Wells Fargo Arena to witness first the all-star line-up of our nation’s Democrat Superstars throw their full weight squarely, and often, ever so eloquently into our hometown candidate’s corner. And then, of course, etched in my mind forever…witnessing Hillary Clinton make her way to the mic, waving to the crowds in every which direction, and fully embracing her historical nomination.

Grace Bennett Photo
Grace Bennett Photo

Midway through her speech, it was no surprise to me that Hillary extended her accomplishment from family to, well, everyone else: “Standing here as my mother’s daughter, and my daughter’s mother, I’m so happy this day has come. I’m happy for grandmothers and little girls and everyone in between. I’m happy for boys and men–because when any barrier falls in America, it clears the way for everyone. After all, when there are no ceilings, the sky’s the limit.”

Susan Youngwood Photo
Susan Youngwood Photo

I remember too: the abundance of heartfelt hugs–Hillary hugs. To me, they symbolize Hillary’s ubiquitous “Love Trumps Hate” campaign slogan…hugs for Bill, for Chelsea, for her running mate Tim Kaine, and on the night before, for and from President Obama. And countless other ones for those closest to her and seemingly always plenty to spare for her fans too. When hate gets thrown at her, Hillary Clinton doubles down on her capacity to tap into a bottomless reservoir of love–and hugs!

And daily, inside the Philadelphia Convention Center: dozens of public service organizations promoted their missions via buttons, literature and animated conversation; at a daily breakfast briefing, caucuses and roundtables, open primarily to press and delegates, speakers delved into issues near and dear to their hearts. The general public attended rallies or packed “PoliticalFest,” a fun, interactive festival related to American history and politics.

Grace Bennett Photo
Grace Bennett Photo

Hillary Clinton’s official nomination represents a huge historical milestone for Chappaqua too. I learned at one point that Hillary Clinton really appreciates the nights on the campaign trail when she can sleep in her own bed. So learning of a surprise celebration for her at the Kittle House on the very night following Roll Call in the arena was very touching; Chappaqua really is home, sweet home to Hillary.

I was also glad to head to Philly with my long-time friend and former classmate at Columbia’s ‘J-school,’ Susan Youngwood, a self-described ‘political junkie.’ We were both first time press covering a political convention for either party. We independently mapped our days, posting in social media, writing, taking pictures and editing. We stayed in Cherry Hill, New Jersey, about 15 miles away in the lovely home of Joan and Barry Swirsky, old friends of Susan’s, gracious, helpful and excited-for-us hosts.

I was happy for the chance to ask Governor Martin O’Malley for his reaction immediately following Michelle Obama’s much lauded endorsement of Hillary Clinton. He said the First Lady’s words “summed up in a beautiful way why our country is already great.”
I was happy for the chance to ask Governor Martin O’Malley for his reaction immediately following Michelle Obama’s much lauded endorsement of Hillary Clinton. He said the First Lady’s words “summed up in a beautiful way why our country is already great.”

Next, Susan reflects on her experience. From the outset, we agreed that we would focus much less on national-style coverage of the major speeches which our readers would turn to national media for. Instead, we set out to capture an eclectic array of stories that you might not see in other press, particularly anything that could qualify as having a local angle.

With that goal in mind, Susan captured such stories, and in particular the activities of two groups founded by long time Chappaqua residents who are collaborating more and more, too: Chappaqua Friends of Hill and Tim (CFOH) and Executive Women for Hillary, and those are the stories I chose to reprint from the net in part in our print edition to call your attention to them. The CFOH’s Hillapalooza barbeque party that took place shortly after the convention was a wonderful way to bring together many more residents to celebrate too. — Grace

The New Girl on the Bus

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Intrepid Reporter for the Inside Press Jazzed to Cover the 2016  DNC

By Susan Youngwood

I came to political consciousness during Watergate. Glued to the television during the hearings, I devoured newspaper coverage. I remember two things about the summer of 1972–watching the Olympics and the Democratic National Convention.SYoungwood

I’ve been watching conventions ever since (I did miss a few because of traveling–I still regret being overseas when Barack Obama introduced himself to the country in 2004.)

I love the roll call, when each state announces trivia about itself when nominating its candidate. I still remember the days when there would be one lone vote for the state’s favorite son–usually its governor or senator. I marvel at the loss of decorum, when distinguished-looking middle-aged folks don crazy red, white and blue garments and dance in the aisles. The funny hats, the turn-of-phrase buttons. I get a thrill watching our peaceful change of power.

Funny enough, though, in the 25+ years I was a journalist, I wasn’t a political journalist. I didn’t cover statehouses and political campaigns, focusing instead on business and education. So I never went to a convention, never became a girl on the bus.

This weekend, that will change, as I head south to Philadelphia to cover my first political convention. It’s a homecoming of sorts, because I lived in Philadelphia for three years in the early 1980s. I’m looking forward to being a tourist in my former hometown, as much as I am excited about attending my first political convention in person.

My internal vision of political conventions is what you see on television. And television covers what happens in the arena–the delegates seated behind their state sign, television reporters roaming around with microphones, a garishly decorated stage where a blue-suited politician gives a somber or rousing speech.

So my first lesson about political conventions is that what you see on television is really not what these conventions are about.

To prepare, I chatted with a journalism school buddy who covered four conventions for national media.

“The delegates are really there to party,” he said. My job is to find the parties.

You know, I had never really thought about what the delegates do before and after the three to four hours they sit in the convention hall. I had also never realized the other people who come to conventions, drawn to the flame like fireflies. There are the uber wealthy donors. The lobbyists. The special interest groups. The media. The politicians and their staffs.

And what I’ve learned is that there are hordes of events happening over a six-day period to keep those hordes busy.

There are big parties–Emily’s List and Planned Parenthood throw two of them (pretty sure they didn’t show up during the GOP event). I’m told all the large media outlets, like CNN and BuzzFeed, throw parties.

Each state delegation is assigned a hotel, and holds events there. I’m supposed to hang out in the lobby of hotel housing the New York delegation and follow the delegates to their social events.

There are concerts and food festivals and movie showings.

There are panel discussions about the economy and infrastructure and energy policy.

There are fundraising events, dinners and lunches where only a check lets you in the door.

Here’s a sampling of what I can chose from:

The Creative Coalition Benefit Gala costs $7,500 for two tickets — celebrities from entertainment, policy and business will get to listen to Fergie. A Yacht Party is raising money for autism and is relatively cheap at $100 a ticket. The American Muslim Democratic caucus is charging $125 to attend its luncheon. The DNC welcome lunch thrown by the American Trade Association for Cannabis and Hemp + Drug Policy Action costs $250. The LGBT GOTV fundraiser event is called Equality in the Sky.

The less well-off can head to the Passyunk Passeggiata Street Festival for street food, outdoor bars, al fresco dining, vendors, and live music.

“Story Slam: Inside the Political Machine” features stories about the inside world of politics.

There are events are sponsored by the marijuana lobby, the LGBT community, veterans, the Muslim community.

Sponsors include the Truman National Security Project, The 21st Century Democrats, Emerge America, RealClear Politics, Save the Children, Atlantic Magazine, the National Marine Manufacturers Association, the Center for American Women and Politics, the American Sustainable Business Council, Nuns on the Bus and the Milkin Institute.

There are caucuses for women, Latinos, youth, African-Americans, Jews, rural America, the disabled, veterans.

Panel discussions on every possible topic–“How Tech and Data are changing politics;” “10 secrets to winning campaigns;” “The future of immigration and how we define American;” “The future of reproductive health: Congress, the courts and your body;” “Business case for a sustainable economic policy;” “What CEO transitions can and cannot teach the next generation.”

And post-gavel parties thrown by People for the American Way, Climate Hawks Vote and Friends of the Earth and the Grammys–featuring performers like Grace Potter, Dawes, Lady Gaga, Lenny Kravitz, Snoop Dogg.

It’s a wonder all those delegates show up on the convention floor.

I thought I was going to Philadelphia to watch the first woman to get nominated to be president of the United States. That will happen. But most of the action of a political convention takes place out of the television limelight.