Clyburn, Benjamin to address Democratic convention

The inspiration for Columbia Mayor Steve Benjamin’s speech this week at the Democratic National Convention came long before he accepted an invitation to pick up the microphone in Philadelphia.

Last July, Benjamin introduced his oldest daughter to Hillary Clinton during a campaign stop at a West Columbia church. He then watched as the 10-year-old discussed politics with one of the most influential women in the world.

“It was really a wonderful opportunity to see the look of hope and aspiration in my daughter’s eyes,” said Benjamin, whose speech Tuesday will center on children and the impact of the United States electing its first woman president.

Benjamin is among at least six South Carolinians who will speak at the nominating convention for Clinton, representing a state that is punching above its weight in the number of convention speakers.

Of the more than 60 speakers announced Thursday, nine were from California and six were from New York. But four were from South Carolina, a state with a much smaller population.

“The role that South Carolina played in the presidential primary, in terms of really vetting the candidates, in pushing the candidates, I think that’s been acknowledged,” said S.C. Democratic Party Chairman Jaime Harrison, who also will speak at the convention. “There’s a lot of talent in this state.

“And Secretary Clinton has promised me that her goal is that she is going to focus on Southern strategy, a Democratic Southern strategy, so that she starts to build this bench of talent all across the South. I’m glad that she has looked upon South Carolina as a place where she can find that talent.”

U.S. Rep. Jim Clyburn, D-Columbia, and former state Rep. Bakari Sellers also will speak at the convention.

So will Felicia Sanders and Polly Sheppard. The two survivors of the Emanuel A.M.E. Church shooting in Charleston last summer will speak on Wednesday.

Clyburn, the highest ranking African-American in Congress, said his speech would follow the theme “stronger together.”

He said his speech, and the Democratic convention itself, will be a stark contrast to last week’s GOP convention, which some Republicans complained was marred by negativity and party fractures.

“What you’ll see is a party united and dedicated to making this country stronger,” Clyburn said. “You will not see us turning on each other. You’ll see a whole lot of indications of us turning to each other. We as a party believe that all of us bring certain experiences to the process and we are better off as a people when we draw upon those experiences to develop policy and move forward.”

Harrison said he plans to lay out his own vision for the “new South,” a phrase Republican S.C. Gov. Nikki Haley has used to describe a region with improving race relations and economic opportunities.

Harrison, the first African-American to lead a major political party in South Carolina, said his vision includes a government that offers care and opportunities for every South Carolinian.

“That’s the key part, to make sure that we continue to create opportunity so that people can succeed, so that they can realize the American Dream,” Harrison said.

Part of that vision already has been realized, Harrison said, adding his son will not grow up seeing the Confederate battle flag flying on State House grounds.

This story was originally published July 24, 2016 at 9:32 PM with the headline "Clyburn, Benjamin to address Democratic convention."