The VP and the National Party Conventions

Question 1

When was the last time a candidate failed to attain the absolute majority of primary votes required to win the nomination and what happened in the subsequent ballot(s)? (2)

Explain why a brokered convention is unlikely to occur in modern NPCs.

Answer 1

1976 Republican Race: Due to his unpopularity following Watergate and his rival’s popularity (Ronald Reagan!), Gerald Ford failed to secure the absolute majority of primary votes required to secure the nomination.

However, after one round of balloting between unbound delegates - it’s important to note here that not all delegates become immediately unbound; some states prohibit their delegates from becoming unbound until there have been several rounds of voting - he secured the nomination.

Onset of front-loading -> confers more momentum on winner of early competition -> more likely for a candidate to gain a plurality of delegate votes.

Question 2

Post-MFC, which year had the highest turnout for Presidential primaries (not incl. caucuses) and what was this (in terms of % of the VAP)? (2)

What was the turnout in the corresponding G.E?

What does this potentially show about the NNCs?

Answer 2

2008
30.4%

54.9%

The NNCs might be the first time voters tune into the Presidential election; this can be shown by the fact that turnout in Presidential primaries (even when their is a close race between two candidates whose nomination and election would be unprecedented - i.e. a female and an African-American) tends to be lower than the G.E turnout (which, for 2008 was 57.1%). -> Low interest in primaries/caucuses and more interest in the events leading up to the G.E itself.

Question 3

In protest against the Republican party’s nominee in the year __, fellow Republican competitor __ __ hosted his own convention a few miles away from the RNC, which was called the __ __ __ __.

+ Give another example of party disunity being a factor that contributed towards a G.E loss.

Answer 3

In protest against the Republican party’s nominee in the year 2008, fellow Republican competitor Ron Paul hosted his own convention a few miles away from the RNC, which was called the Rally for the Republic.

1992 H.W Bush vs Pat Buchanan.

Question 4

List the 3 formal functions and the 3 informal functions of the NNCs.

Answer 4

Formal:

• Choosing the party’s presidential nominee.
• Choosing the VP.
• Establishing the party platform (US equivalent of a manifesto).

Informal:

• Enthusing the party faithful (i.e. party activists may be rewarded by being chosen as a delegate and therefore get front row seats at the convention).
• Enthusing the ordinary voter.
• Establish party unity after a potentially bitter primary/caucus competition.