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Gathering of Democrats will be one for record books as Obama aims to patch up party divisions
By Stephanie Warsmith
Beacon Journal staff writer
Published on Sunday, Aug 24, 2008
It won't be hard to spot Ruby Gilliam in the crowd of delegates at this week's Democratic National Convention.
She'll be the one wearing the big, bright red hat that features pictures of Sens. Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton and says ''History Made in 2008.''
Like other delegates from the Akron-Canton area, Gilliam doesn't know exactly what's going to happen at the convention. But she's anticipating that — whatever transpires — it will be one for the books.
''I'm hoping everything runs smooth,'' said Gilliam, of Minerva, an at-large delegate pledged to Clinton. ''The Democrats — we're kind of a rowdy bunch. Everybody has different opinions.''
There are more local delegates pledged to Clinton from the Akron-Canton area than to Obama, the party's presumed nominee. But as they head westward for the convention in Denver, the Clinton delegates still don't know whether they'll be voting for the former first lady on the first ballot or whether they'll be re
leased to vote for Obama.
So, it remains uncertain how the party will emerge from the convention — unified in the fight for the presidency or with continued division that will make the battle more challenging.
Many area delegates are hoping the convention, which runs from Monday through Thursday, will bring the party together.
''I think that Senator Obama and Senator Clinton supported mostly the same policies all along,'' said Jonathan Selinger, a Kent State University professor who went to high school with Obama and is one of his delegates. ''The similarities are so much stronger when you compare them with the Republican candidate. I'm confident the party is going to come together for the general election.''
Two octogenarians
At 851/2, Gilliam is the second oldest member of Ohio's delegation. Former Sen. John Glenn, 87, just trumps her in seniority.
Gilliam, who attended her first convention in 1988, is known for the handmade, flamboyant hats she sports.
This year, she'll bring two — the one featuring Clinton and Obama and a red, white and blue cowboy hat with a blue and white donkey. The hat also will have symbols from Ohio, including a buckeye, a cardinal and a carnation. Both hats will have lights.
Gilliam, who was excited about the possibility of a woman president, said she hopes Clinton's delegates will have the opportunity to vote for her.
''That way, those people that feel a little bit disenchanted will feel better that their vote had counted,'' said Gilliam, the Carroll County Democratic Party chairwoman.
As an at-large delegate, though, Gilliam was appointed by the Ohio Democratic Party and said she will follow the party's lead.
Big Clinton supporter
Summit County Democratic Party Chairman Wayne Jones also is a big Clinton supporter.
He even got her to stop by the party's Valentine's Day fundraiser when she was in town for a primary event.
But, these days, he has an Obama bumper sticker on his car and wears a button saying, ''Wayne Jones for Obama.''
Jones, of Akron, an elected delegate for Clinton, was part of a conference call with Clinton last week. He said Clinton told them her name probably will be placed in nomination for at least the first round of voting.
There has been speculation that Clinton may decide to release her delegates before the vote, possibly during her Tuesday speech at the convention.
Jones said her speech will be important for setting the party's tone.
''There is still some division out there,'' he said. ''We need her to say, 'Everything's going to be OK.' She needs to come to her supporters and say, 'Obama's the best choice.' When you compare Obama to (Sen. John) McCain, it's not even close.''
Jones, a former state legislator and longtime party operative, thinks even the most die-hard Clinton supporters will line up behind Obama.
''They're Democrats first and Hillary supporters second,'' he said.
High school memories
Selinger, the Kent professor, has two reasons for being excited about attending the convention.
It will be his first. And, he may have the chance to be reunited with Obama, his high school classmate.
''That would be great,'' said Selinger, of Hudson, an elected delegate for Obama. ''I imagine he will have a few other things on his mind.''
Selinger last saw Obama — from a distance — in February, when Obama held a rally in downtown Akron.
Selinger and Obama attended Punahou School in Honolulu, where they both graduated in 1979. He said there has been a lot of buzz among their classmates, who are compiling a book of essays and recollections about Obama and the school that they hope to complete before the election.
''It might be useful for the campaign,'' said Selinger, who teaches chemical physics in Kent's Liquid Crystal Institute. ''It will help illustrate more about Obama's background.''
Selinger hopes the convention will be good for the party.
''It's a good chance for Obama supporters and Clinton supporters to get together and realize we have a lot in common and our goals are the same,'' he said.
Health-care issue
Nancy Vanduyn, a nurse for the Akron Health Department, is another first-time delegate and Obama supporter.
She was surprised when she was elected to represent the 13th Congressional District.
''I'm just an ordinary person — nothing special,'' said Vanduyn, of Akron.
Vanduyn helped with the John Kerry campaign in 2004 and has been helping with Obama's efforts in Ohio and other states.
''I feel like we need a change, especially in the health-care system,'' said Vanduyn, who has been with the health department for 32 years. ''I feel like he's the person that can take us there.''
Since she began her nursing career, Vanduyn said, she has watched the erosion of the health-care system. She said the primary goal used to be getting people the medical care they needed, followed by who would pay for it. Now, she said, this has been reversed.
''I see health care as a basic human right,'' she said.
Vanduyn sees Clinton as a ''big asset to the party.''
''She always has been and always will be,'' she said.
Based on the delegate meetings she's attended, Vanduyn doesn't think party unity will be a problem.
''Everyone is very much together and united,'' she said. ''To me, that's the only way to get anywhere. That's how it's been here in Ohio.''
Stephanie Warsmith can be reached at 330-996-3705 or swarsmith@thebeaconjournal.
com.
It won't be hard to spot Ruby Gilliam in the crowd of delegates at this week's Democratic National Convention.
Get the full article here.
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