Cultural historian available to discuss significance of Democratic National Convention

LAWRENCE — As the Democratic National Convention gets underway in Chicago, it is already drawing comparisons to the volatile and transformative convention of 1968. 

David Farber, the Roy A. Roberts Distinguished Professor in the Department of History at the University of Kansas, is available to discuss this event with media.

“The differences between the 1968 DNC and the 2024 DNC are obviously significant. But the echoes are certainly there as well,” said Farber, author of the book “Chicago ’68.”

He notes that In 1968 the incumbent president, Lyndon Johnson, shocked the nation by stepping down after appearing to be the certain nominee of the party. In 2024, the situation is much the same. In both cases, the new nominee was the incumbent vice president: “Happy Warrior” Hubert Humphrey and, in 2024, the “joyful warrior” Kamala Harris. 

In both conventions, a controversial war cast a heavy shadow. In 1968, that shadow caused chaos and anger both inside and outside the convention hall. 

“While the war in Gaza does not have the same impact on American society as did the Vietnam War, protestors and constituencies against the war could have a powerful impact on both the convention and the election,” he said.

The disparities between the two conventions are substantial as well. A very different kind of city administration runs Chicago today than was true in 1968, and Harris has had far more success in unifying her party than Humphrey did, Farber emphasized.

Farber earned his doctorate in American History at the University of Chicago. His research focuses on political culture, social change movements and capitalism in 20th century U.S. history. He is the author of more than a dozen books, including “The Age of Great Dreams: America in the 1960s,” “The Sixties: From Memory to History” and “The Conservative Sixties” (with Jeff Roche) and “Crack: Rock Cocaine, Street Capitalism, and the Decade of Greed.”

As for how this convention might play out, Farber offers a prediction.

“Chicago ’68 damaged the Democrats’ electoral chances and cast a long shadow over the party — that fate is not likely for the Democrats in 2024,” he said. “But a bad and chaotic convention could change the 2024 campaign narrative and give the Trump team a big boost.”

If you would like to interview David Farber, please contact KU News Service public affairs officer Jon Niccum at 785-864-7633 or jniccum@ku.edu.