ABERNATHY RETURNS FROM DEMOCRATIC NATIONAL CONVENTION

Abernathy collected quite a lot of memorabilia from the 1996 DNC.

This is Abernathy's pass into the DNC. There was a different one for each night.

Vicki Abernathy returned home to Jackson from the Democratic National Convention last week filled with memories she will always hold dear.

When she arrived at the convention on Sunday, Aug. 25 she checked into the Hyatt Regency, which was the host hotel, and then went to a welcoming party for the Missouri delegation.

The welcoming party was at the Museum of Contemporary Art. The delegation was greeted by a large crowd of people dressed in red shirts that really made Abernathy feel welcome.

"They were so friendly to us the entire time in Chicago," Abernathy said.

Later she went to a party honoring Rep. Dick Gephart at the Children's Museum.

Every morning there was a breakfast for the Missouri delegation with different speakers every day.

On Monday, Gov. Mel Carnahan introduced Tipper Gore to the Missouri delegation at the breakfast.

After the breakfast from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Abernathy went to the Women's Caucus everyday of the convention.

She could have gone shopping or sightseeing, but Abernathy said, "my purpose was to be a part of the convention as much as I could."

The caucus centered around what women want to know, according to Abernathy.

"It was a real cheer leading, organizing group of women expressing how important women are now in the work force, education and so on."

"I got a better relationship about where they were coming from at the caucuses," she added.

At the caucuses, different issues were discussed and Abernathy was there to obtain information.

On Tuesday, Geraldine Ferraro spoke to the Women's Caucus. That was the anniversary of the passage of the 19th Amendment to the Constitution granting women the right to vote.

"I thought that was neat. I thought that was a real highlight to be at this caucus at that convention on the anniversary of Women's Suffrage," Abernathy said.

On Wednesday, she met a friend of hers for lunch and he gave her the opportunity of a lifetime, according to Abernathy.

He had a special visitor's pass to meet the president when he landed in Chicago.

The president's helicopter landed in a baseball field and Abernathy got to meet the president.

"That was the ultimate experience, to get to meet the president," Abernathy said.

Abernathy said she didn't know why the press seemed to single her out to ask questions each night of the convention.

"I thought it was pretty refreshing that they were going to listen to someone from Missouri, instead of just focusing on the larger delegations."

On Monday she was asked if she thought Hillary Clinton was an asset or a liability to the president and if she was qualified to be president. Abernathy said she was an asset and yes she was qualified.

On Tuesday, she was asked who her choice was in the 2000 election for president.

On Wednesday, she was asked about Chelsea Clinton. Abernathy said that she got to see a human side to the First Family when she went to meet the president at the baseball field.

"It was like, daddy's home."

She told the reporter she didn't think Chelsea was affected by her father's status.

On Thursday, she was asked about the Dick Morris Scandal and she said that she didn't feel it would affect anything.

She also was approached by the Smithsonian Institute about her hat she was wearing. They want her hat for their collection.

The platforms were put together by the president and vice president and were supported by the delegates, according to Abernathy.

Abernathy that Thursday was a real highlight of the convention. Al Gore addressed and former Gov. Ann Richards of Texas addressed the caucus and the president gave his acceptance speech.

It wasn't all work for Abernathy. She did attend some parties that were thrown during the convention, but mostly she was involved with the convention and not distracted by the city attractions.

Abernathy also said that the 150,000 balloons that fell onto the convention floor was undescribable.

"I could not tell you what it was like to see all those balloons coming down."