ABSTRACT
The debate following Gorbachev's opening speech was lively, occasionally dramatic, and not lacking moments of humor. The normal stilted style of official Soviet meetings was completely abandoned; instead, spontaneous and unprecedented developments quickly followed one another, sometimes producing colorful moments. Who could imagine a Soviet president (Gromyko) sitting grim and stone-faced while demands for his removal were made? Or the unsinkable Yeltsin making yet another plea for his rehabilitation? Or a somewhat subdued Ligachev forced to defend himself against the attacks of Yeltsin and others? Or delegates being all but run off the podium for making self-congratulatory remarks or for flattering the leadership? Most remarkable of all, however, were the dozens of speeches by rank-and file delegates from all parts of the Soviet Union bitterly complaining about party and state incompetence, lack of consumer goods, lack of democracy in political life, and similar issues. Most delegates expressed support for Gorbache'vs political reform, but many, especially those from outside the favored big cities, repeatedly voiced dissatisfaction with food shortages, lack of consumer goods, and the ubiquitous queues. Some even warned that the reform program would be threatened if living standards were not rapidly and visibly improved. Gorbache'vs grip on power, too, would be in serious peril if tangible economic improvements did not appear soon. For these delegates political reforms were a secondary issue.
