MORGANTOWN – Former state Delegate Barbara Evans Fleischauer is at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago, as one of 26 West Virginia Democratic Party delegates.
Monday afternoon, she was preparing to head the United Center for the evening’s events.
“Everybody’s really excited,” she said. “I think there’s a lot of energy from women who are very upset about our rights being taken away or by the idea that our children and grandchildren will have fewer rights than we do.”
She arrived Sunday. They saw demonstrators, she said, making their voices heard on a variety of issues, including women’s rights and the Israel-Hamas conflict in Gaza. “It was very diverse. It was very peaceful.” Police on bikes patrolled and protected the crowd.
On Monday morning, the state delegation met for breakfast and to get their credentials for the evening. Also there from Morgantown are Cal Carlson, chair of the Monongalia County Democratic Executive Committee, and staff member Adrianne Dering.
Fleischauer and Dering helped set up the EqualiTEA event that ran from 2-4 p.m., she said, put on by the Feminist Majority and the ERA Coalition. They heard from an array of speakers, including a surprise visit by former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.
Monday evening’s linieup of speakers included former Secretary of State and First Lady Hillary Clinton, current First Lady Jill Biden and, capping off the evening, President Joe Biden.
Monday’s theme was “For the People,” she said, and delegates were supposed to wear blue. She even painted her toenails blue.
“It will be sort of a hand-off,” Fleischauer said.
Asked about Biden stepping down as the nominee in favor of Vice President Kamala Harris. “I don’t have any problem with it,” she said. “I thought it was a sensible decision.”
It was up to him to do that, she said, and following his debate performance, most Democrats think it’s a good idea. “It’s not a Constitutional issue, it’s a party issue.”
While the official vote to nominate Harris took place Aug. 6, Fleischauer said, Tuesday will be the ceremonial roll call. And Harris will speak on Thursday. That night’s color will be white, in honor of the Suffragettes.
Fleischauer noted the presence of a lot of young people and a lot of people of color. And resentment of negative characterizations of Harris. “To say she’s not smart is insulting to all women and to all African-Americans.”
With the convention set in Chicago, there’s regular mention of the tumultuous 1968 DNC in that city. In contrast, the 1996 convention to nominate President Bill Clinton was also held there, and Fleischauer attended. “ It was very peaceful and it was fun. … People don’t talk about that one very much.”
The Dominion Post will be talking to Fleischauer again for a post-convention story.
Email: dbeard@dominionpost.com
