A political convention seems like the last place for a family reunion, but for many families, politics just runs in their blood.
Jacquelyn Saylor, 50, and her high school-age daughter, also named Jacquelyn, ran on a joint delegate ticket from Georgia. They lost but were appointed at-large delegates.
“I’ve been going to political events since I was born and didn’t want to miss the convention,” said the younger Saylor, who turned 18 July 20.
“Sometimes families go different ways when it comes to politics,” said Mrs. Saylor, who is attending her third national convention. “But politics always has been part of the dinner table conversation in our home.”
And delegate sisters Sarah Palmer Amos of Pennsylvania and Kathy Forader of Connecticut plan to get together this week. “Politics is something we share,” said Forader. “It’s something that binds us together.”
Strange bedfellows
Then there are those families that don’t seem to share political beliefs.
Bob and Nancy Price glided across the outdoor dance floor at the Navy Pier welcoming party in a perfect Oklahoma shuffle. They are in perfect sync when it comes to dancing, but not in politics.
Bob, 60, a Nevada state assemblyman and delegate, is a staunch Democrat. His wife, a regent for the University of Nevada, has been a delegate to Republican conventions.
“We differ on some very major issues,” said Nancy, holding her husband’s arm. “But our values are the same. We just get to them differently.”
Oldtimers
Maryland delegate Louis L. Goldstein attended his first Democratic National Convention six years before Bill Clinton was born. Goldstein will attend his 14th convention Monday, his 13th straight. He also has served 38 years as Maryland’s comptroller of the Treasury.
“I could never sit on my backside and do nothing,” said Goldstein, 83.
At 93, Velma Jeter from Texas is the oldest delegate at this year’s convention. A former teacher, Jeter co-founded the NAACP chapter in her hometown of Orange. “I like being part of the decision-making rather than watching it from the sidelines,” she said. “I’ll be involved as long as I can.”
Kansans not for Dole
To some extent, delegates from Kansas are the most recognizable since they each spent $100 for special straw hats featuring “Kansas” in flashing red lights across the top.
But ask them about Bob Dole and their faces flash red.
More Top Picks Arlo Ultra 2 Wireless
If delegate Larry Tenopir from Topeka has his way, when the Clinton nomination roll call reaches his state, the announcement will be: “The great state of Kansas, home of buffalo chips and Bob Dole . . .”
“They seem to go together,” he said.