American Politics Hype, Hoopla and Impressions Conventions Give Many Ambassadors Taste of U.S. Two-Party System By Tim Deady Americans werenít the only ones watching the Democratic and Republican National conventions in August. Dozens of ambassadors and other high-level embassy officials either attended one or both conventions, or watched them intently on television. For most of them, it was their inaugural tasting of American presidential politics. "It was a very, very interesting experience that I will probably carry for a long time," said Japanese Ambassador Shunji Yanai, who attended both conventions. "Much more than in Japan, candidates become almost transparent to the voters through the conventions. They give voters a real opportunity to get to know the candidates." For those who attended the gatherings, the trips offered more than a chance to view the process firsthand and see grownups yell hackneyed political slogans, wear funny hats and pop balloons. There was business to be conducted, along with fine wines and foods to be tasted. The embassy officials were invited to the quadrennial Super Bowls of American politics by the Republican and Democratic parties or their affiliates, which put on special programs that included high-level briefings for the foreign guests, as well as receptions and dinners with Chardonnays and tenderloin strips. In some cases, the officials were on their own in terms of paying for the trips; in other cases, sponsors picked up the cost. Up until 1992, the U.S. State Department had offered group transportation to the political conventions on chartered aircraft to embassy officials, who had to reimburse the government for the cost of the trip. It could not be determined exactly why that practice was discontinued. At the Republican convention in Philadelphia, there was some grumbling among embassy officials about access and seating on the convention floor, as well as the presence of too many lobbyists, according to published reports. But Leo Welt, president of Potomac Exchange, a non-profit group that organized a train trip to the convention for about 130 embassy officials, discounted the complaints and offered positive testimonials from many of those who took the trip. Lithuanian Ambassador Stasys Sakalauskas said he attended both gatherings for the first time and was "impressed by the scope of events." Like many others, Sakalauskas said he not only enjoyed the hoopla of the conventions but was able to pick up useful information. "Many seem to think there is an isolationist tendency in the United States, but after having a chance to learn about the foreign policy positions of both parties, I donít think thatís the case," he said. Sakalauskas said he learned, through briefings and reading the policy platforms, that the two parties are concerne d about the security of Europe and want to expand the number of North Atlantic Treaty Organization members. That is important to Lithuania because it wants to join NATO, said Sakalauskas. Many political pundits and ordinary voters criticized the two conventions for being too staged and rehearsed. Some labeled the conventions as nothing more than commercials for the two parties, as well as the vice presidential and presidential candidates. The overseas visitors from the embassies had a different perspective on the proceedings. They said the conventions allow the voters to get a much closer look at the candidates, even if it is filtered through a team of political marketers. "Personality counts much more here than it does anywhere else and that comes through in the conventions," said Austrian Ambassador Peter Moser, who attended the two conventions. "Itís interesting for me to watch how a candidate is introduced through his family. Thereís kind of a very personal touch that isnít present in other places." Moser said he was impressed by the flexibility of the two parties compared to the rigidity of Austrian political organizations. "They [the conventions] are a good lesson in democracy because you see that both parties are willing to change and try to reach out to voters to meet their expectations and solve problems. In Austria it is difficult for the political parties to change." Embassy officials, including the ambassadorsówho attended the conventions, or were assigned to follow them through the mediaómust file reports with their foreign ministries back home. Those summaries are supposed to offer details that werenít available through the general media accounts Items of special interest to foreign ministries are policy positions and scuttlebutt about people who could be involved in the next U.S. administration, said embassy officials. Nina Ersman, counselor at the Swedish Embassy in Washington, said she attended both conventions as the chief representative of her country. Her immediate impression was how much "show business" was involved in American politics. She noted her report would include names and thoughts on potential high-level appointments in a new administration. Those names could include people like Condoleezza Rice, who addressed the GOP convention and who has been mentioned as a possible national security adviser to George Bush if he is elected president, said Ersman. In his report, Danish Ambassador Ulrik Federspiel, who attended both conventions, said he too would report on the "personalities" in the two parties, as well as their direction. "It is very useful being there in person because you get a chance to see what the mood is of the party members. You get a chance to see what theyíre talking about and where theyíre headed," he said. The conventions were the main topic of official and unofficial conversation during the usually quiet and languid month of August at Washington embassies. Teodoro Maldonado, counselor at the Embassy of Ecuador, said he watched, for the first time, as much as possible of the two conventions. "It is very impressive to watch and see how the candidates are chosen and how momentum builds for the final night when the candidate speaksÖ. I think what impressed me most though was how vibrant they were, how much energy there was. It was an impression I will send back home." The dean of U.S. political conventions is probably Chitmansing Jesseramsing, who off and on has been the ambassador from Mauritius since 1968. Jesseramsing estimated he has attended at least a dozen conventions, including the recent GOP meeting and Los Angeles convention of the Democrats. For him, the two major benefits of attending the conventions are the chance to meet political and business leaders in one place, and the opportunity to get a feel of what is on the minds of the convention delegates from outside the Washington Beltway. At the conventions, Jesseramsing said he was able to meet with top leaders of both parties, including President Clinton, who addressed a luncheon gathering of ambassadors in Los Angeles. At the GOP convention, Jesseramsing said he was able to meet with Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Ridge about trade with Africa. Mauritius is a small island nation off the east coast of Africa. He said he always comes away from a convention "feeling good" and with a sense of accomplishment. "Thereís no way you canít be impressed. They are like the Oscars of the political process," said Jesseramsing. Tim Deady is a contributing writer for The Washington Diplomat.