The Clinton Legacy; Money and Politics at the Democratic Convention

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This week, KCRW comes to you from the Democratic National Convention in Boston. In this collection of highlights from today's To the Point, Warren Olney explores two very different aspects of the convention. First, the Clinton legacy. After consecutive losses to Ronald Reagan and George H.W. Bush, Bill Clinton was the first two-term Democratic president since Franklin Roosevelt, but his definition of "new Democrat" sounded more like "Republican" to a lot of people. Then, a discussion about party conventions, the last place where corporations can make unlimited political contributions without violating recent "reforms" that curb so-called "soft money." What's the real difference between Democrats and Republicans? Warren Olney speaks with an advocate of public campaign financing and a spokesman for the Democratic National Committee. Making News: General Convention Preview The Democrats have gathered at the Fleet Center, along with the media. Despite little action from protestors, local and state police, and the National Guard make downtown Boston look like Central America. Conventional wisdom is that 95 percent of voters have made up their minds. Those who don't like George Bush already know it. But John Kerry is an uncertain quantity, so his Democratic Convention will emphasize the positive. Viveca Novak of Time Magazine has a preview of what -- and what not to expect. Reporter's Notebook: Unconventional Commentary and Satire All this week, we're joined by writer-actor-satirist Harry Shearer, who's the voice of many characters on The Simpsons and the host of his own public radio program, Le Show. Shearer offers his own impolitic take on the politics and events taking place this week in Boston.
This week, KCRW comes to you from the Democratic National Convention in Boston. In this collection of highlights from today's To the Point, Warren Olney explores two very different aspects of the convention. First, the Clinton legacy. After consecutive losses to Ronald Reagan and George H.W. Bush, Bill Clinton was the first two-term Democratic president since Franklin Roosevelt, but his definition of "new Democrat" sounded more like "Republican" to a lot of people. Then, a discussion about party conventions, the last place where corporations can make unlimited political contributions without violating recent "reforms" that curb so-called "soft money." What's the real difference between Democrats and Republicans? Warren Olney speaks with an advocate of public campaign financing and a spokesman for the Democratic National Committee.
  • Making News: General Convention Preview
    The Democrats have gathered at the Fleet Center, along with the media. Despite little action from protestors, local and state police, and the National Guard make downtown Boston look like Central America. Conventional wisdom is that 95 percent of voters have made up their minds. Those who don't like George Bush already know it. But John Kerry is an uncertain quantity, so his Democratic Convention will emphasize the positive. Viveca Novak of Time Magazine has a preview of what -- and what not to expect.
  • Reporter's Notebook: Unconventional Commentary and Satire
    All this week, we're joined by writer-actor-satirist Harry Shearer, who's the voice of many characters on The Simpsons and the host of his own public radio program, Le Show. Shearer offers his own impolitic take on the politics and events taking place this week in Boston.

2004 Democratic National Convention

Kerry-Edwards campaign

Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act of 1997 (McCain-Feingold Act)

Credits

Host:

Warren Olney

Producer:

Frances Anderton