Last week’s Democratic National Convention in L.A. produced some stunning contrasts, from the staged coronation of Al Gore on the Staples Center floor to chaotic clashes between protesters and police outside, from rather subdued delegate parties around town to celebrity-packed fund-raisers. The Business Journal sent a number of reporters and photographers to Staples Center and many of the convention-related events throughout the city. Here’s a sampling of their impressions through the week:
Time: Saturday, Aug. 12, 8 p.m.
What: Official media party put on by the L.A. host committee
Where: Department of Water & Power Plaza, downtown
Some 15,000 guests wander among four separate stages spread out on both sides of Hope Street, dozens of tables of food and desserts all catered by Patina, and images of L.A. projected on nearby downtown skyscrapers. While the presentation was impressive “those projections on the buildings are really cool,” several folks said something about this party was missing. Reporters and delegates had a good time, and there was music to appeal to just about anyone’s tastes. But maybe it was simply too early in the week for the excitement to build perhaps people were still getting to know each other, or jet-lagged. Whatever the reasons, people seemed to drift away fairly early on, bound for other trendy nightspots in town or for their hotel rooms.
Time: Sunday, Aug. 13, 1 p.m.
What: Hispanic Caucus Luncheon
Where: Paramount Studios, Hollywood
Talk about a study in contrasts. Outside on the lawn was an elegant brunch with a roster of Latino speakers all trumpeting the strength and unity of the Latino electorate. Antonio Villaraigosa, Gloria Molina, Xavier Becerra the Latino political stars took their turns at the lectern. But the real fun was inside the auditorium, where clips from performances of the Latino satire group Culture Clash were projected, interspersed with impersonators of President Clinton and Julio Iglesias. A couple of the Culture Clash skits even poked fun at the speakers outside, including Molina and L.A. City Councilman Mike Hernandez. The performance also provided welcome relief from the blazing sun outside, where temperatures hovered in the low 90s.
Time: Sunday, Aug. 13, 6 p.m.
What: Bill and Hillary Clinton speaking to prominent members of the Jewish community
Where: Sony Studios back lot, Culver City
Originally billed as a rally for the American Israel Political Action Committee, the event suddenly became a hot ticket with Al Gore’s pick of a Jewish running mate. Then, two days later, word came that the Clintons planned to address the rally. Instead of the 1,500 people originally expected, the crowd swelled to 4,000, stretched back along a narrow street inside the Sony lot. But the Clintons showed up an hour late, leaving many to broil in the hot afternoon sun, listening to klezmer music. When the Clintons finally did arrive, the crowd jumped to life. Hillary spoke first, then Bill, who afterward waded into the crowd to shake hands.
Time: Sunday, Aug. 13, 8 p.m.
What: California delegation party
Where: Universal Studios back lot
With the formal start of the convention just hours away, two dozen delegate parties were held all over town. As the largest delegation and the home state, California’s delegate party was the most elaborate. The party itself was spread out over the back lot, with a stunning view of the San Fernando Valley below. On stage was a who’s who of California Democrats Gray Davis, Barbara Boxer, Robert Hertzberg. Then came an unexpected tribute to the U.S. Women’s Olympic Water Polo team, composed entirely of Californians, all of whom were present. The tribute caused some bemused expressions among delegates. “So this is the hottest thing we’ve got going here?” one delegate mumbled.
As with all the delegate parties, this one wrapped up early; the place pretty much cleared out by 9 p.m.
What: Tennessee delegation party
Where: California Science Center
As the home state of vice president and presidential nominee Al Gore, Tennessee’s delegation party might have been expected to be one of the hot tickets. But it wasn’t. Gore was campaigning in the Midwest and didn’t even address the delegates by satellite or videotape. The party began tapering off by 8:30 p.m.
Time: Monday, Aug. 14, 8 p.m.
What: President Clinton’s speech
Where: Staples Center
The first truly big moment of the convention, as President Clinton addressed the delegates and nation. Delegates, who had had precious little to cheer about before, suddenly erupted into a frenzied cheer as Clinton’s silhouette appeared on the huge screens in the arena, much like a football player coming out of a locker room onto the field. Despite being a half-hour late, Clinton held the crowd spellbound. Even the media was impressed: “The enthusiasm here seems much more spontaneous than at the Republican Convention in Philadelphia,” said East Coast talk radio host Gary Sutton.
Time: Monday, Aug. 14, 7:30 p.m.
What: LAPD confronts protesters and press
Where: Outside Staples Center
Just as President Clinton was preparing to address delegates inside Staples Center, outside all hell was breaking loose. A free concert by the alternative rock group Rage Against the Machine had just ended and several thousand activists, protesters and media types were facing thousands of police officers. All it took was a few people tossing water bottles and other items over a fence and the confrontation began. Police officers were yelling at everybody to disperse immediately. People started heading for the exits, but then police on horseback started charging, while other police officers started firing rubber bullets and poking at people with nightsticks, according to freelance photographer Yael Swerdlow. “At that moment, people just turned and ran. It was complete panic,” she said. Less than 10 minutes later, relative calm had returned. But the impact of what had happened would reverberate in video footage broadcast around the world.
Time: Monday, Aug. 14, 10 p.m.
What: California welcome party for all delegates
Unlike the individual delegate parties the night before, this party hosted by Gray Davis for all the convention delegates had some excitement. Streets were closed off for blocks around as guests were shuttled in from remote locations. Even before coming to the red-carpet entranceway, the setup was spectacular, dominated by a light show. Inside, guests wandered around the studio lot set, stopping at tables to sample California cuisine. Except for actor Gary Busey, though, there were few Hollywood celebrities in attendance. Due to Clinton’s late arrival and the unrest outside the arena, delegates and other prominent Democrats didn’t start arriving until 10. Scattered radio reports about the violence only served to heighten the excitement. The long-awaited speeches from Davis and Clinton didn’t take place until around 11:30.
Time: Tuesday, Aug. 15, 8 p.m.
What: Keynote speech of Tennessee Rep. Harry Ford to the convention
Where: Inside Staples Center
Compared with the fervor that greeted Clinton’s speech 24 hours earlier, delegates were fairly subdued as Ford delivered his speech. In fact, as seen from the convention floor, more delegates seemed to be greeting and talking to each other than listening to Ford. Many others were leaving early, before the speech ended.
Time: Tuesday, Aug. 15, 10 p.m.
What: “Mardi Gras Goes Hollywood” party put on by Louisiana Sen. John Breaux
Where: Paramount Studios back lot
After California Rep. Loretta Sanchez’s party scheduled for the Playboy mansion was moved, this became the hottest ticket in town Tuesday night. Sen. Breaux greeted guests in a bright-orange jumpsuit, while guests received necklaces of large beads. While the party invites said the studio lot would be transformed into a replica of Bourbon Street, the result was confined to jazz and Dixieland music, New Orleans-style cuisine, and old-style French-costumed figures roaming around. Nonetheless, guests were having a good time. The biggest drawback: the lines for “Louisiana Libations” were long and moving at a leisurely Southern pace.
Time: Wednesday, Aug. 16, 7:30 p.m.
What: Sen. Joe Lieberman addresses convention
For the first time since Clinton’s speech, delegates hit the rafters when the Liebermans first Hadassah and then Joe came on stage. The hall echoed with chants of “Go, Joe, Go!” and “We Want Joe!” voiced repeatedly throughout his speech. The real hit of the speech proved to be his line, “Not since Tom Hanks won an Oscar has there been so much acting in Philadelphia.”
After the speech, the hall began to clear out, including many of the reporters. Some drifted back in for Karenna Gore Schiff’s nominating speech. But everyone was taken by surprise when Al Gore himself strolled on stage to join his daughter.
Time: Wednesday, Aug. 16, 8 p.m.
What: Shadow Convention, a counter-convention organized to address issues not dealt with as part of the main convention
Where: Patriotic Hall, near downtown
This is where the young, hip crowd was hanging out. The first thing one noticed was the comparative lack of security. A mix of protesters, curious citizens and Democratic lawmakers milled freely about, both inside and outside the hall, while police kept a watchful eye from a distance. Inside the hall, it was more of a coffeehouse atmosphere. Sen. Russ Feingold, D-Wisconsin, spoke about the need for campaign finance reform. He was followed by comedian Margaret Cho. Meanwhile, in another room, there was an open mike for people to air their concerns about the American political scene.
Time: Wednesday, Aug. 16, 10 p.m.
What: George Magazine-Creative Coalition party
Where: Home of producer Ron Bender in Holmby Hills
A true Hollywood party, jam-packed with celebs. So many stars were at this party that it’s hard to name them all: Michael Douglas, Ted Danson, Mary Steenburgen, Jennifer Love Hewitt, Julia Louise Dreyfus and Christopher Reeve, for starters. Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and HUD Secretary Andrew Cuomo were also there. For anyone seeking the true Hollywood/Democratic nexus, this was the place. This wasn’t your usual Hollywood party. There was a definite feeling of politics in the air, as people chatted about the convention, about Gore’s chances in November, and other political issues.
Staff reporters Norinne De Gal, Jennifer Netherby and Milo Peinemann contributed to this story.
