South Bend, July 12, 1988
Surprise at the Democrats
Michael Dukakis, who is seen as the sure presidential candidate of the Democrats, had a surprise in store today when, in the historic Faneuil Hall of Boston, he introduced Lloyd Bentsen, the senator from Texas, as his running mate. Dukakis apparently wants to repeat the example of John F. Kennedy, who in 1960 had chosen Lyndon B. Johnson, then a senator from Texas, as his running mate to achieve regional balance. Jesse Jackson, who based on his success in the primaries, asserted a claim for the second position on the Democratic ticket, was passed over, actually not even mentioned. This could again lead to a calamitous split within the Democratic Party.
July 17, 1988
In Triumphal Procession to Atlanta
Partly startled and partly amused, the American public followed the preliminary events to the Democratic National Convention in Atlanta. African-Americans felt offended and deceived by the way Governor Dukakis chose his running mate. Jesse Jackson was emotionally upset. Coming down from Chicago in a motorcade of supporters, he reached Atlanta in triumphal procession. It reminded one of the civil rights protests of the 1960s, which one thought had been overcome.
July 19, 1988
In his address at the Democratic National Convention, the Reverend Jesse Jackson surpassed himself. No doubt, he is at this time one of the best speakers in America. He can move his audience. The impressive vividness of his rhetoric comes from the tradition of the African-American Baptist preachers. Although what he said was not in line with political reality, he put his finger on the social woes of America and stirred up the conscience of the nation. Jackson mobilized sections of American society, which in apathy did not participate in the political process. He strengthened the self-confidence of those voters and encouraged them to go to the polls.
July 21, 1988
The American Dream
Michael Dukakis represents himself the realization of the American Dream. His father Panos Dukakis had arrived on Ellis Island from Greece in 1912 with 12 dollars in his pocket. He became a physician, and his son Michael, who holds the office of governor of Massachusetts, stands on the threshold of possibly becoming president of the United States. It does, therefore, not come as a surprise that Michael Dukakis chose the American Dream as theme for his acceptance speech, following his nomination as presidential candidate of the Democratic Party. Dukakis was credible in his speech. He hopes to appeal with this theme to a broad majority of the American population. He also succeeded, for the most part, in uniting the Democratic Party for the campaign ahead.
Note
[The American theme was frequently turned into its opposite in literature: From dream to nightmare and from utopia to dystopia. There are of course many instances in which the expectations of America have not have been fulfilled, especially when immigrants got stuck in the misery of slums. But it should not been overlooked that for millions of people the American Dream has been fulfilled. The success story of the Dukakis family is only one of many.
The American Dream has universal meaning, for people of any origin have the desire to be successful and to achieve affluence. It is an elemental human desire to own a piece of land and a home, to have a good job and to be able to provide for the future. Connected with it is the desire for freedom and self-realization.
In the course of American immigration history, the American Dream has been a powerful motivation for people from all parts of the world, at times under great difficulties, to come to America. The American Dream has also strongly affected social mobility. It strengthened the optimistic conviction that by making an effort and diligence everyone has a chance to take advantage of the many opportunities America offers.]
[My wife and I arrived in Sunnyvale, California, by mid-August for the wedding of our son Franz. Our daughter-in-law Susan was born in California. Her parents, who had come from Iowa to California, are third generation of Norwegian descent. Through this marriage, our American family has been enlarged by a Norwegian branch. The following entry reflects the impressions of an excursion to San Francisco and around the San Francisco Bay Area.]