President Clinton and all the President's Men/Women

On November 3, 2000, The Ronald V. Dellums Oakland Federal Building had its first and most likely last visit by William Jefferson Clinton.

Under extremely tight security and following a moving rendition of Ain't misbehaving, by an Oakland Youth Choir, President Clinton made his entrance. Although the President was preaching to the choir, his comments were to give presidential candidate Al Gore a much needed boost.

Clinton was not the only politician to please the crowd. Lt. Governor of California, Cruz Bustamonte, the was humorous; he commented, "We don't need that son of a bush" and "Jr. needs to know that this is not Texas." On those statements there was a rallying cry from the large crowd sprawled through the City Center in downtown Oakland.

Bill Lockyer made comments concerning the former California State Insurance Commissioner Chuck Quackenbush and said, "It goes to show you, that you should never trust a politician who has bush in his name."

The admission to this rally was free if you had the right connections. There were two types of "invitations", the common "white" ones and the coveted "green" ones. The green invitations allowed the participants closer access to the stage and seemed to be reserved for clergy, federal employee and hippy style democrats.

This reporter observed many Federal employees abandoning their duties to pay respect to their outgoing Commander-in-Chief and to participate in the democratic machine. The main focus of the rally was the "get out the vote" message that was delivered over and over again.

Congressman George Miller of Contra Costa County challenged the Alameda County voters to carry the precincts as he expected Contra Costa County voters to do. Mayor Jerry Brown rallied the crowd and even extended his hand to former mayor Ellihu Harris. President Clinton made mention of Brown's career choices from a Governor to a Mayor and said, "Maybe somebody will let me be mayor somewhere." The mayor looked a little star struck; maybe was thinking about his next political aspiration--head of the school board?

At the end of the rally, President Clinton entered Starbucks for coffee as just another guy. A long term employee who identified herself as "Avon" said that the president was very kind as he allowed the employees to take pictures with him.

In spite of the massive security, the rally it was as much fun as can be expected for a high charged political event. It is safe to say that if there were any Bush supporters in the audience, they didn't reveal it.

However, the Lyndon Larouche supporters were there but overwhelmed by the Gore supporters. This was the first time the Larouche booth did not have a sign up advocating violence against the president or Gore. I guess the secret service advised them not to embarrass themselves or the President. Once the rally in Oakland was over the President rode to San Francisco and later San Jose to give Gore the edge he needs.[]
Story and photos by
David Palmer