Campaign Roundup (3)

June 9, 1980

A coalition of women's groups is pushing for an open Democratic convention this August -- insisting that the race is not yet over. Roughly half of the 1,666 delegates at the Democratic National Convention will be women -- the highest proportion in history. This gives women's interests new-found leverage. "They don't want to waste it," said Iris Mitgang, chairman of the National Women's Political Caucus.

An open convention would extend the clout of the women's groups if most of the female delegates voted as a bloc. "Women are going to be a significant force in determining the candidate of the convention," said Bella Abzug, a supporter of Sen. Edward Kennedy.