NPC Flashcards
What are national party conventions
Held at the end of the presidential nomination process. They are held over 4 days and parties, interest groups, activists and Party supporters attend.
Traditional roles
This decided the Party nomination for president and Vice President
A roll call vote took place although the result was usually known
Decide on Party platform
Modern roles - reforms
McGovern Fraser reforms after 1968
No longer chooses the presidential candidate as it is decided by primaries and caucuses
Acts as a formal declaration
Eg 2000 result was known on Super Tuesday in March
Modern roles - vp chosen by the presidential candidate and the convention endorses this choice
Traditionally announced on the 3rd day
2008- obama announced Biden as his running mate two days before the convention
Modern roles - displaying party unity
Losing Candidate endorses the victor eg Hillary Clinton proposed obama as presidential nominee and declares herself a ‘proud supporter of Barack Obama’
Ted Cruz did not endorse trump
‘Stage management’ eg Jerry brown cameras turned off in his speaking slot as he didn’t obey
Modern roles - projecting a Party image/ advertising
5 major networks cover them ; c-span
Cover the drama rather than issues etc
Modern roles - little debate but much promotion of party programme and gaining bounce
Eg in 2000 the Republicans where aware of their image as intolerant, white and extremist so tried to convey a more moderate image by avoiding issues such as abortion and welfare
Bush gained an +8
2008 - 25% of delegates to Democrats convention were African American and 5% Asian obama also made a acceptance speech and gained a +4 Bounce
Modern roles - party platform is announced but a lot is precooked to prevent conflict
Platform committees hold hearings around the country in the first 6 months of the election year
A draft platform is presented and certain parts may be debated to prevent conflict
Modern roles - candidates emphasise their own themes
Radical right wing republican platforms were ignored by bush jr and not made much of in the convention
Modern roles - still have the power to choose presidential candidate
If the primary season produces no majority then delegates are released at the convention and they can vote for who they prefer hasn’t happened since reforms
Third party conventions
Not much media attention
Featured on c-span
Usually held before 2 major parties conventions
May 2012 libertarian party held in LV
2008 Ralph Nader addressed Green Party convention accused 2 major parties of forcing smaller parties out of the race
