Westminster College - Argo Yearbook (New Wilmington, PA)

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What is a mock convention? A learning experience? a political science lab? a fun time with friends? a once in a life time chance to be a politician? The best ex- perience at Westminster College. 25

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1976 Westminster Mock Democratic Convention March 15-17 Westminster College Mock Democratic Convention . . . learning experience . . . parade . . . chairman Kmec . . . pledge of allegiance . . . national anthem . . . Senator Don Riegle . . . platform debate . . . point of order . . . out of order . . . Drew . . . Guam Canal Zone, Virgin Islands boycott . . . Mafia, min- ers, steelworkers, Indians, teddy bears, cowboys . . . nominations . . . parades . . . flags . . . banners . . . balloons . . . confetti . . . peanuts . . . favorite sons . . . nominating speech in Spanish . . . assassination at- tempt . . . balloting . . . caucus . . . abstain . . . Ala- bama secedes from Union . . . credentials challenge ... 6 ballots . . . shower of balloons . . . 4:30 a.m. . . . Carter — Brown . . . California, New Mexico, New Jersey most colorful . . . Ives, Cuff, Crall best speak- ers ... The political awakening we receive through the convention is for some startling and disturbing while for others common and almost expected. Per- haps we learn one important lesson through the actions of the state of Alabama — UNITED WE STAND, DIVIDED WE FALL.

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Excitement, Anticipation, Exhaustion The nitty-gritty of adopting a platform and finally nomi- nating a Presidential candidate brings excitement to the convention. Who can forget the arguments for and against aid to the elderly or the more heated debate over abortion? The speeches by delegates, Ives, Koenig, Jones, Georgiadis, and Kairys pour forth, sometimes coercing us, always reminding us to think, but steadfastly demand- ing a solid workable platform. Spirited interjections by delegate Sabachinni keep us giggling. 10 o ' clock Tuesday evening, the long awaited and much anticipated nominations begin. Alabama leads the way with George Wallace while Alaska yields to Washington and Scoop Jackson is placed on the ballot. The candi- dates number 18 in all and the spirited demonstrations show evidence of the delegates taking an opportunity to walk around. Roll call votes drag on through the night. Round one. Brown . . . round two. Brown, . . . Where is Carter? . . . round three, How did Udall get up there? . . . round four, credentials challenge . . . time out for committee dis- cussion. Scoop, Carter, Gus vs. Lynn . . . round five, here comes Carter . . . round six, 4:30 a.m. Ladies and Gen- tlemen, we have a candidate, Jimmy Carter. Gov. Brown of California will be his running mate, but only after many abstentions. CANAL ONE 7f