by Courtney H. Naliboff

The Somerville businessman, who was the national chairman of Howard Dean’s presidential campaign, was a delegate to the Democratic National Convention held July 26-29 at Boston’s Fleet Center.

A regular participant at Democratic conventions since attending the Atlanta convention 1988, Steven Grossman, who is the president of MassEnvelopePlus, the city’s largest employer, said this was the smoothest convention he has witnessed.

Grossman said the host committee did an excellent job preparing for the conclave and taking care of the delegates. “Boston is comfortable, like an old shoe. It’s a walking city. The delegates are having a hell of a time.”

Standing with Grossman on the convention floor was Timothy Cahill, the Commonwealth’s treasurer and former Gov. Michael S. Dukakis. Grossman was a major backer of Dukakis’ own presidential bid in 1988.

Cahill said that while small businesses were feeling some financial pain in the short term, the convention would prove beneficial for Massachusetts over time. “I think we’ve made a great impression on people all over the world.”

Dukakis said while conventions are important; continuing the momentum afterwards is even more so. “I remember one convention in particular. But as we discovered what happens after is just as important.”

Grossman said Dukakis’ attitude towards political involvement was ideal for the success of the party. “I have enormous respect for him. He lost an election and picked himself up.”

“He stayed involved, and that’s what leadership is all about,” he said.

Grossman himself entered the political fray when he ran for governor of Massachusetts in 2002. “Compared to candidacy, delegacy was stress-free,” he said.

It is also a special privilege to be chosen as a delegate, he said. “It’s a huge honor, ask any of the people here. Some of them have been delegates for 10 conventions.”

Grossman said he wanted to emphasize the theme of unity within the Democratic Party, exemplified by the presence of Kucinich and others who pursued the Democratic nomination.

“Not everybody who ran for president agreed with Kerry. This is a sign of great strength and confidence – but not over-confidence – in Kerry,” he said.

“We need everybody to beat George Bush. Beating an incumbent president is very difficult,” said Grossman.

Dean, whose campaign Grossman led until he resigned prior to the New Hampshire primary in February, planned to appear on the convention floor to further demonstrate party unity, he said.

“It’s about bringing everybody involved together, unifying around Kerry,” he said.

“The party is more united than it ever has been. Nobody is saying ‘I’m disappointed, I’m out of here,’” he said.

Although the national conventions no longer have the drama and turmoil of past election cycles, they still serve an important purpose. Bolstering enthusiasm within the party was justification enough for continuing the convention tradition, he said.

“At the end of the day in close elections that’s the strength of the Democratic Party,” said Grossman.

Grossman said the most important thing is encouraging voter involvement, and said only one out of every two registered voters takes the opportunity to cast a ballot.

Grossman’s business has been in Somerville since 1969, he said, and has provided support for Somerville students since that time, including arranging for Somerville High School Students to land positions working at the convention. He has also spoken to political science classes at the high school.

Grossman said he has supported candidates in Somerville elections.

Somerville has had a tough time monetarily, said Grossman, and he said he thought Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone was off to a good start and seemed forward-thinking.