1996 Democratic National Convention

American political convention August 2012 February 2026 1996 Democratic 1996 DNC (1).jpg 170px DP1992.png 125 DV1992.png 125 Nominees Clinton and Gore August 26–29, 1996 United Center Chicago, Illinois Evan Bayh Christopher DoddMario CuomoHillary ClintonChristopher ReeveTed Kennedy Bill Clinton of Arkansas Al Gore of Tennessee 1 4,289 2,147 Clinton (AR): 4,277 (99.72%)Abstention: 12 (0.28%) Gore (TN): 4,289 (100%) 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. Site selection thumb|right|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. Kansas City would also withdraw.Mannies Jo City To '96 GOP: Not Here https://www.newspapers.com/image/143009312 Newspapers.com St. Louis Post-Dispatch 18 May 2021 en 31 Mar 1994 On August 4, 1994, it was announced that Chicago had beaten out the other finalist, San Antonio, for the right to host the convention.Chicago Convention http://www.cnn.com/ALLPOLITICS/1996/conventions/chicago/facts/tidbits/chicago.history.shtml CNN All Politics September 4, 2012 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.AllPolitics - Democratic National Convention https://www.cnn.com/ALLPOLITICS/1996/conventions/chicago/facts/tidbits/chicago.history.shtml www.cnn.com CNN 6 August 2020 1996 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.Sweet Lynn Chicago to host 2024 Democratic National Convention https://chicago.suntimes.com/politics/2023/4/11/23676941/chicago-2024-democratic-convention Chicago Sun-Times 11 April 2023 en 11 April 2023 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.Fitzpatrick James C. Trying to lure the Democrats https://www.newspapers.com/image/682959629 Newspapers.com The Kansas City Star en subscription 3 Mar 1994 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. Additionally, heading into 1996, Illinois was projected to be a key "battleground state".Hardy Thomas POLITICS PRIMED FOR NEW SEASON https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1995-12-10-9512100130-story.html chicagotribune.com Chicago Tribune 18 May 2021 10 December 1995 Of the bid cities, Chicago's proposed the largest funding package, proposing that its host committee would raise $32 million for the convention. This was the 25th major party convention to be held in Chicago. Chicago has held more major party conventions than any other city.Why the Conventions No Longer Come To Chicago https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/why-the-conventions-no-longer-come-to-chicago/1937727/ NBC Chicago WMAQ-TV 6 August 2020 5 September 2012Sautter R. Craig Political Conventions http://www.encyclopedia.chicagohistory.org/pages/986.html www.encyclopedia.chicagohistory.org Encyclopedia of Chicago 6 August 2020 Bids + Bid cities City Venue Previous major party conventions hosted by city Chicago, Illinois United Center Democratic: 1864, 1884, 1892, 1896, 1932, 1940, 1944, 1952, 1956, 1968Republican: 1860, 1868, 1880, 1884, 1888, 1904, 1908, 1912, 1916, 1920, 1932, 1944, 1952, 1960 New York City, New York Madison Square Garden Democratic: 1868, 1924, 1976, 1980, 1992 New Orleans, Louisiana Louisiana Superdome Republican: 1988 San Antonio, Texas AlamodomeVerhovek Sam Howe San Antonio Looks for convention https://www.newspapers.com/image/638716963/ Newspapers.com The Miami Herald New York Times Service 18 May 2021 en subscription 1 Jun 1994 Kansas City, Missouri (withdrew bid) Democratic: 1900Republican: 1928, 1976 Los Angeles, California (withdrew bid) Los Angeles Convention CenterRainey James L.A. Halts Bid to Host GOP, Democratic Conventions https://www.newspapers.com/image/156745043/ Newspapers.com Los Angeles Times 18 May 2021 en subscription 15 Feb 1994 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.Byrne John Quig A.D. DNC in Chicago: Good vibes expected, but questions about economic impact https://www.chicagotribune.com/politics/ct-chicago-2024-convention-20230521-nxpl2fxxanaurcdaq4zlfowbiy-story.html Chicago Tribune 29 August 2023 21 May 2023 The convention came at a time when 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.Democrats, City Putting Last Touches to the Party https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1996-08-19-9608190125-story.html Chicago Tribune 19 August 1996 Temporary decorations were also added, including stickers advertising the convention on 2,000 street signs. A temporary convention-oriented bus route was established between the United Center and locations in The Loop. Events related to the convention were held in venues throughout Chicago in order to showcase the city.Bradley Ben A look back to when Chicago hosted the 1996 DNC https://wgntv.com/news/chicago-news/a-look-back-to-when-chicago-hosted-the-1996-dnc/ WGN-TV 29 August 2023 11 April 2023 Hundreds of events related to the convention were held. 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.https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/99340726/ Speakers send a strong message Detroit Free Press (Detroit, Michigan) August 27, 1996 October 12, 2019 President Clinton traveled to the convention aboard the "21st Century Express", a whistle-stop train tour evoking the similar campaigns of past decades."President Clinton the 21st Century Express", National Museum of American History, retrieved October 2, 2026. During the four-day journey from Washington, D.C., to Chicago, Clinton gave campaign speeches at several stops in West Virginia, Kentucky, Ohio, Michigan, and Indiana.Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton, 1996, Book II, July 1 to December 31, 1996. United States Government Printing Office, 1998. 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.August 2023 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.Trump, Biden Favorable Ratings Both Below 50% https://news.gallup.com/poll/320411/trump-biden-favorable-ratings-below.aspx Gallup.com 19 January 2021 en 18 September 2020 Clinton's renomination speech thumb|Bill Clinton delivering his renomination speech thumb|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.August 2023 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.USA v. Khan Mohammed http://pacer.cadc.uscourts.gov/common/opinions/199808/96-7191 U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit September 4, 2012 Voting Clinton was nominated unanimously for a second term and Vice President Al Gore by voice vote. The Balloting: Candidates 200x200px Name William J. ClintonCertified Votes 4,277 (99.72%)Abstentions 12 (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. The Federal Protective Service arrested 11 protesters Wednesday in... United Press International August 28, 1996 https://www.upi.com/Archives/1996/08/28/The-Federal-Protective-Service-arrested-11-protesters-Wednesday-in/9884841204800/ November 19, 2022 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.Lawrence Derek Relive Hillary Clinton dancing to the 'Macarena' at the 1996 DNC http://www.ew.com/article/2016/07/29/hillary-clinton-dancing-macarena-1996-dnc July 31, 2016 July 29, 1996Plante Chris When the Macarena moved Hillary Clinton and the 1996 Democratic National Convention to dance https://www.theverge.com/2016/7/29/12327970/hillary-clinton-macarena-dnc-1996-2016-election July 31, 2016 The Verge July 29, 2016 The original Broadway cast of Rent performed "Seasons of Love" at the end of the convention.Metz Nina Seasons of 'Rent': From 'La Boheme' to becoming an icon https://www.chicagotribune.com/2008/02/08/seasons-of-rent-from-la-boheme-to-becoming-an-icon/ August 1, 2016 February 8, 2008Román David Acts of Intervention: Performance, Gay Culture, and AIDS February 1, 1998 Indiana University Press 978-0-253-21168-2 282 https://books.google.com/books?id=dqtkPcz-5-MC&q=%22Democratic+National+Convention%22+++%22seasons+of+love%22&pg=PA282 August 1, 2016 Taste of Chicago, a group of restaurants who have an annual street festival, catered the press area.August 2016 Reception Chicago's performance as a convention host city was regarded to have been successful. See also 1996 Republican National Convention Bill Clinton 1996 presidential campaign 1996 Democratic Party presidential primaries 1996 United States presidential election History of the United States Democratic Party List of Democratic National Conventions United States presidential nominating convention References 30em External links rfa0ja-2gPg President Clinton Speaking at the Convention Democratic Party Platform of 1996 at The American Presidency Project Clinton Nomination Acceptance Speech for President at DNC (transcript) at The American Presidency Project Video of Clinton nomination acceptance speech for President at DNC (via YouTube) Audio of Clinton nomination acceptance speech for President at DNCAugust 2021 InternetArchiveBot yes Video of Gore nomination acceptance speech for Vice President at DNC (via YouTube) Audio of Gore nomination acceptance speech for Vice President at DNCAugust 2021 InternetArchiveBot yes Transcript of Gore nomination acceptance speech for Vice President at DNC https://web.archive.org/web/20170812055639/http://www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/politics-july-dec96-gore_08-28/ 2017-08-12 Video of Evan Bayh's Keynote Address at Democratic National Convention 1992New York, New York Democratic National Conventions 2000Los Angeles, California Democratic National Convention Category:Democratic National Conventions Category:United States presidential nominating conventions in Chicago Category:1996 in Chicago Category:Democratic Party of Illinois Democratic National Convention Democratic National Convention Category:August 1996 in the United States Category:Events at United Center