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I went to the convention of 1940 because I always went to conventions. I certainly wasn't a delegate, but just an interested party. All members of the Democratic Party who are interested in doing their share are certainly welcome at conventions. As a matter of fact, there's more done at the conventions than merely to nominate a candidate and adopt a platform. I was, of course, very interested in the platform, peculiarly interested in the platform, always would be, at every convention, more interested in the platform than any other one thing, perhaps. So it was quite natural that I should go.

At that period, as is still true, the women in the Democratic Party were just emerging into a conscious role of leadership and responsibility. It was thought that rallying points for the women who were at the convention, either as delegates, alternates, or advisers, were a good thing. The woman's committee was planning all kinds of things - a breakfast here, a luncheon there, a tea there. You always utilized that technique to introduce the candidates to the women of the convention. Even though they don't have a vote, they have influence. They spread the news around. They talk it up. The candidates' wives have to be looked over to see how they