Subdued Kennedy joins Carter on victory dais

Press, 16 August 1980, Page 8

Subdued Kennedy joins Carter on victory dais

NZPA-Reuter New York,

In a night of fiery oratory and carnival. celebration, President Carter accepted the Democratic presidential nomination - and clasped hands with his rival Senator Edward Kennedy in a . show of party unity. Pandemonium broke out as Senator Kennedy, defeated. by President Carter for the nomination, stepped up on the stage ,to a crisp handshake from the President and • a welcome from the crowd that rivalled Mr Carter’s.

A subdued Mr Kennedy looked uncomfortable in the 1 four minutes he was on the podium with Mr Carter. But the crowd, shouting .• “we want Teddy, we want Teddy,” loved, every second. He later returned for a second handshake with the smiling Mr Carter. The target of the attack was Mr Ronald Reagan, the Republican nominee, who was portrayed by Mr Carter as an impulsive politician committed to a dangerous arms race.

Mr Carter’s Vice-President and 1980 running mate, Walter. Mondale, set the tone for the night by reciting what he called outrageous political statements by Mr Reagan, and by drawing a jeering “Ronald Reagan . . . Ronald Reagan” chant. from the crowd. President Carter drew repeated applause with a long

speech lasting about 50 minutes in which he said his administration was embarked on a path of peace and justice, but his opponents risked taking the wrong road of international confrontation and a nuclear arms race.

“No one, Democrat or Republican, consciously seeks such a future. I do not claim that my opponent does,” he said of Mr Reagan. “But I do question the disturbing commitments and policies already made by him and by those with him who have now captured control of the RepublicanParty.”

Mr Carter particularly singled out the Republican opposition to the Strategic Arms' Limitation Treaty (SALT II), its support for nuclear arms superiority wel-< opposition to any social welfare schemes.

In an apparent allusion to

Mr Reagan’s former career as a film actor, he said the Republicans were living in a fantasy ■ world — - “It is a make-believe world of good guys and bad guys, where politicians shoot first and ask questions later.”

At one of the lowest points in his popularity just before the convention because of unemployment and the business dealings of his brother Billy. Mr Carter proudly defended his record of promoting peace abroad and social justice at home Compared with his acceptance speech in New York four years ago when his broad, toothy grin became world famous. Mr Carter was grim, smiling only occasionally. His aides had to start the week by fighting off a rules challenge from Senator Kennedy who wanted delegates to the convention to be allowed to vote how they wanted, rather than be bound to the candidate tc whom they were pledged after the state primary elections.

When that rules fight failed, Mr Kennedy withdrew since Mr Carter had more than enough delegates to ensure renomination.

But Mr Kennedy’s supporters, embittered by the defeat of the hero of the liberal wing of the party, threatened to walk out when Mr Carter made his acceptance speech. In the end, the riveting

speech by Vice-President Mondaie. plus the enjoyable ' atmosphere of the vast occasion. held the crowd in thrall and only a very few walked out waving signs carrying slogans such as “Carter no — Democrats yes.” The crowd wore comic hats, threw confetti in' the air, waved banners, and jigged, stamped and clapped in time to tunes like “Happy Days Are Here Again.” Mr Carter won loud applause when he listed some of the tough stances he had taken against the Soviet Union in response to the Soviet military intervention m Afghanistan, including the grain embargo and the Olympic boycott When he mentioned the return to military registration in the United States he was booed, but the boos were drowned out by cheers from Carter supporters.

The big task ahead of him now is to turn the show of unitv between his forces and those loval to Senator Kennedy into reality during the; election campaign leading up to the November 4 election. He trails Mr Reagan by 14 to 17 percentage points in public opinion polls. While he has said he is confident he can cut this,and win reelection, it will be a tough battle and much will depend on whether Mr Carter’s economic policies start showing any results.