They want to see what happens in Chicago this week when Democrats meet for their quadrennial convention and select Vice President Harris to lead them in 2024.
That said, the phrase “the whole world is watching” dates back to 1968.
That was the rallying cry of protestors that poured into the 1968 Democratic convention in Chicago. They fought with police, media, and delegates. The Vietnam War raged. Protesters against the war also wanted the world to know how they felt. What better chance, therefore, to gather at the Democratic convention and voice their complaints—often via the viewfinder of a television camera—than this?
The most turbulent Democratic convention in American history occurred in 1968.
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This year, Democrats seek to steer clear of similar controversy. That could be difficult to ignore, though, with boisterous anti-Israel demonstrations taking place all spring long on college campuses and around the country. This further emphasizes the division within the Democratic Party toward the Middle East.
The entire world is watching, as they stated in 1968.
Political analysts began drawing parallels between 2024 and 1968 even before the protests. Democrats had, after all, declared that Chicago would host their convention. The similarities between 2024 and 1968 become stronger.
The year 1968 saw a shift in American culture. The year saw significant breakdowns in the political system. In the interim, social disorder ruled the streets. 1968 was a tempestuous year. A series of months and days on a calendar that changed into memorable and occasionally terrifying pictures for history.
2024 may not yet match 1968. Even in comparison to other previous years of turmoil and anarchy, its unrest is notable.
In 1968, President Lyndon Baines Johnson was under attack from Vietnam. In the 1966 midterm elections, Republicans grabbed an impressive 47 House seats and three Senate seats. Johnson might no longer have political backing. However, his political skill never faded. Johnson understood exactly what to do after narrowly winning the 1968 Democratic primary in New Hampshire.
Like Joe Biden in 2024, Johnson campaigned as a write-in candidate in New Hampshire rather than officially challenging the incumbent. Rep. Dean Phillips, a Democrat from Minnesota, was Mr. Biden’s lone real opponent in the primary. A large portion of the party chastised Phillips for even standing up to the president, taking offense at any insinuations that the leader wasn’t qualified for another term.
Sen. Eugene McCarthy (D-Minn.) managed to deny Johnson a majority of the vote in New Hampshire in 1968.
Nervous, yet aware of the political ramifications, Johnson withdrew in the latter part of March 1968.
In a famous Oval Office speech, Johnson said, “I have concluded that I should not permit the Presidency to become involved in the partisan divisions that are developing in this political year.”
When it came to his decision to withdraw following his appalling performance in the late June debate with former President Trump, President Biden’s remarks actually mirrored those of President Johnson.
“I’ve determined that passing the torch to the next generation is the wisest course of action. The President declared, “That’s the best way to unite our nation.”
1968 was characterized by political violence. The nation-wide riots were sparked by the killing of Martin Luther King Jr.
After winning the primaries in South Dakota and California, Robert F. Kennedy celebrated his win at the Ambassador Hotel in Los Angeles two months later.
“To all of you, I am grateful. Kennedy said, “And now it’s on to Chicago and let’s win there,” giving Democrats a foreboding glimpse of what was ahead.
Kennedy was shot numerous times, point blank, by Sirhan Sirhan, a pro-Palestinian anti-Zionist who emerged from behind an ice machine in the hotel kitchen.
