July 26, 2004

Talking with a Convention Delegate

TFK Kid Reporter Lily Wasserman interviews a super delegate from Mississippi

Johnnie Patton is a Mississippi delegate.

By Lily Wasserman

Here at the Democratic National Convention, there are 4,341 delegates from all 50 states. The job of delegates is to represent the people of their state. I saw all kinds of delegates wearing some very unusual clothing and accessories, from humorous anti-George W. Bush buttons to flag scarves to Uncle Sam hats to donkey earrings. I interviewed Johnnie Patton, a delegate from Mississippi. She was wearing a homemade patriotic and Democratic hat (complete with donkeys on top) and had some unique things to say.

TFK: Since we already know who the Democratic nominee is, what is your role at the convention?
Patton: I’m what they call a super delegate. I’m a National Committee woman from Mississippi, so I represent my state on the national level, but I’m also a super delegate so that means that I’m here to also assist the delegation…We’re hoping to rally behind Kerry with the other delegates and to put his name in the nomination for the candidate for the Party.

Lily talks with Patton about her job as a super delegate at the convention.

TFK: How many other delegates are from your state?
Patton: We have 46.

TFK: How do you try to make politics relevant to kids?
Patton: I think you can never start too early. I think it is wonderful that you’re all really involved. The earlier you start out, the better you will be at the process and we really promote children and young people to be active Democrats in our organization. You can’t start too early. You know Terry McAuliffe (chairman of the Democratic National Committee)…he started out at 8 years old, just handing our leaflets. I think it’s wonderful.

TFK: What can kids do before they can vote?
Patton: Kids can always get involved by helping, assisting at polling precincts, passing out literature, assisting at conventions…In your schools, if you can have good discussions about the political process, that helps. The earlier children get involved in this process, the better the process will be. It will not be new to you once you get older.

TFK: How many conventions have you been to?
Patton: This is my fourth convention.

TFK: Did you make your hat?
Patton: Yes, I did.

TFK: Where did you get all your paraphernalia?
Patton: My Havana hat is from Bill Clinton’s convention…See my donkey? He’s a little tired. He’s sitting down. And after Kerry is elected, he will be standing up!

TFK: What’s the most exciting part of being at a convention?
Patton: It’s all the fun that you have and it’s all the activity from people around who really show their civic responsibilities. We really enjoy seeing that because that means that your Party is live and functioning. We really like to see the people’s spirit in the campaign they have.

TFK: How have the conventions changed over the years?
Patton: Security. The very first convention that I went to, in New York, was with Bill Clinton and we didn’t have this much.

TFK: What is your hope for this convention?
Patton: Over the next four days, I hope we have a safe convention and that all of our speakers will get us ready to go back to our various districts and counties and communities and hopefully we can carry this country to a new leadership and get a Democrat…in the White House.

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