DEMOCRATIC NATIONAL CONVENTION, THE 1984, DAY 1 {CARTER SPEECH} (TV)
Summary
Day one of this presentation of the 1984 Democratic National Convention in Chicago. In the first hour, from the press box, Dan Rather notes that former President Jimmy Carter has rescheduled his speech. Susan Spencer reports from Walter Mondale's headquarters on his new willingness to meet with the other candidates; Eric Engberg reports from Gary Hart's headquarters on supporters' reluctance to admit defeat; and Bob Faw reports on the Reverend Jesse Jackson's ties to the Reverend Louis Farrakhan, Mondale's estrangement from Jackson and Hart, and Jackson's future. In an interview clip with Rather, Jackson discusses foreign policy and his hopes for a meeting with Mondale; and in the press box, Bill Moyers discusses schisms in the party. From the floor, Diane Sawyer interviews Mayor Tom Bradley of Los Angeles on the inevitability of Mondale's winning the ballot; Leslie Stahl speaks with New York Mayor Ed Koch about the incompatibility of the platform of the Black community with that of the Democratic party; and Bob Schieffer talks to Mayor Henry Cisneros of San Antonio about a possible Hispanic boycott against Mondale. Rather also notes that Hart signs outnumber Mondale signs. Leslie Stahl talks with Joan Mondale, the candidate's wife, about obstacles in the campaign, and Ed Bradley interviews Rep. Victor McTeer (D-Miss.) on the Black community's platform. Former Pres. Jimmy Carter and his wife Rosalynn then step up to the podium. Topics discussed include the following: the importance of peace and diplomacy; the dangers of nuclear war and the arms race; the Reagan administration's poor human rights record abroad; and the need for party unity. Carter affirms party unity and lists the names of all eight Democratic candidates, concluding the speech with an optimistic portrait of America.
Bill Moyers remarks on the choice of Carter as an opening-night speaker. The crowd roars as Gov. Mario M. Cuomo (D-N.Y.) steps to the podium, and Dan Rather notes that the governor tends to write his own speeches. Cuomo criticizes President Ronald Reagan's vision of America, blaming him for a shrinking middle class and an increase in poverty, homelessness, and drug abuse. He chastizes subsidized foreign steel, tax breaks for the rich at the expense of the poor, "social Darwinism," and supply-side economics. Praising the rich ethnic and social diversity of America, Cuomo asserts that economic disaster and fear of nuclear holocaust threaten the U.S.; calls for a unifying platform; and praises Democrats' support of minorities, women, and the Equal Rights Amendment. At this point, the crowd starts chanting "ERA"; Cuomo adds that Social Security and the environment must be preserved, and he praises and examines the Democrats' diversity. Responding to Reagan's challenge to examine whether the U.S. is better off four years after the president's election, Cuomo points to poverty and the looming deficit, and he charges that economic recovery is temporary. Cuomo criticizes the frenzied arms race and U.S. foreign policy in Lebanon and El Salvador, asserting that Democrats want a strong defense but that current policy lacks direction. Cuomo decries acid rain, a changing Supreme Court, Reagan's claim that trees cause pollution, and threats to Social Security and civil rights. The governor reaffirms help for the homeless and elderly; the "insanity of nuclear proliferation"; and the value of unions, civil rights, and the family. Cuomo lists contributions by Democratic presidents, promotes a union of "common sense and compassion," and praises his immigrant father. The band strikes up "New York, New York," and Rather summarizes the keynote address. Commentator Walter Cronkite notes a measure of the speech's success: the entire hall listened. He says that Democrats wanted this kind of unifying, potentially healing speech, and he speculates on the possibility for victory. From the convention floor, Bob Schieffer and Diane Sawyer discuss Mondale's need to deliver a speech that will prove his leadership, and Ed Bradley and Leslie Stahl note examples of party unity. From the platform, Bruce Morton remarks on Cuomo's "brilliant" speech. The program concludes with a montage of clips about San Francisco, featuring parades, political rallies, and cable cars. Includes commercials.
Details
- NETWORK: CBS
- DATE: July 16, 1984 Monday 9:55 PM
- RUNNING TIME: 0:54:57
- COLOR/B&W: Color
- CATALOG ID: T84:0310
- GENRE: Specials; News
- SUBJECT HEADING: Democratic National Convention - 1984; New York - Officials - Talk/Interviews; U S - Elections - 1984
- SERIES RUN: CBS - TV, 1984
- COMMERCIALS:
- TV - Commercials - AT&T services
- TV - Commercials - Denny's restaurants
- TV - Commercials - General Motors automobiles
- TV - Commercials - MasterCard credit cards
- TV - Commercials - Oldsmobile automobiles
- TV - Commercials - Schweppes ginger ale
- TV - Commercials - Stresstabs vitamins
- TV - Commercials - Sun Oil
- TV - Commercials - Yes detergent
- TV - Promos - "Chariots of Fire" motion picture
- TV - Promos - "The Neverending Story" motion picture
- TV - Promos - "Wheel of Fortune"
CREDITS
- Dan Rather … Anchor
- Ed Bradley … Reporter
- Eric Engberg … Reporter
- Bob Faw … Reporter
- Bill Moyers … Reporter
- Diane Sawyer … Reporter
- Susan Spencer … Reporter
- Bob Schieffer … Reporter
- Lesley Stahl … Reporter
- Jimmy Carter … Speaker
- Tom Bradley
- Rosalynn Carter
- Henry Cisneros
- Louis Farrakhan (see also: Louis X)
- Gary Hart
- Jesse Jackson
- Ed Koch
- Victor McTeer
- Joan Mondale
- Walter Mondale
- Walter Reagan