A 1980 DNC Flashback

Keith’s note: I was watching Sen. Tammy Duckworth speak at the Democratic National Convention on Tuesday night and had a flashback. In August 1980 I was working on Gov. Jerry Brown’s presidential campaign. Among many other things I did, I was his sign language interpreter – which is what I did for a living prior to joining his campaign.

By law, any company or organization receiving government funds had to comply with the 1976 Rehab Act (all campaigns got Federal matching funds) which included use of Sign Language interpreters. Carter’s campaign refused to use interpreters. So I helped organize a protest among various disabled groups that almost staged a public demonstration.

Then … someone knew someone who knew Walter Cronkite – and suddenly I got the O.K. and soon I stood on the podium of the Democratic National Convention at Madison Square Garden to interpret for Jerry Brown, Max Cleland, and Willie Nelson (he was buzzed BTW). This picture shows the special podium “service” badge and the special-special “upstage” podium badge that let the Secret Service let me go on stage with Jerry.

I passed on the chance to interpret for Ted Kennedy and Jimmy Carter so that other interpreters could have a chance. I was introduced by Cronkite (not by name). He said “we at CBS offer this service from time to time” and there I was, 25 years old in a little bubble on CBS introduced by Walter Cronkite. Standing on that stage was simply surreal.

After he finished his remarks, Max Cleland went out of his way to come over to me on the main stage in his wheelchair, asked my name, and then thanked me for interpreting for him. This sounds like a small thing – but who he was, what he had done in his life, what he had said, and where we were at that moment, made that moment a keeper. I thought of him tonight as I watched Sen. Tammy Duckworth. Thanks Tammy. And thanks again Max.