Party Conventions Republican National Convention, Chicago, 1880

Party ConventionsRepublican National Convention, Chicago, 1880.

The Party Convention

National conventions date to 1830s◦ First “open” convention – Jackson & Democrats

Historically◦ Provide excitement & nomination of party’s candidates for pres.

& VP◦ 1924 Democratic Convention took 103 ballots to choose

candidates◦ Since 1952: both parties have selected candidates on first

ballotConvention proceedings to catch attention of

electorate include:◦ Rules and credential debates◦ Keynote speeches◦ Platform debates◦ Nomination of presidential candidate◦ Selection of running mate◦ Acceptance speeches

Rule and Credential Disputes

Lead to party fights

1952 Republican Convention◦Senator Robert Taft given majority of Southern delegates

by RNC◦Eisenhower’s supporters forced floor fight & overturned

that decision◦Ike gets nomination

1972 Democratic Convention◦McGovern Commission rules were supposed to create fairer

representation of minorities◦2 key votes gave McGovern nomination

McGovern received all of CA’s delegates Denying Chicago Mayor Daley representation

1976 Republican Convention◦Rules debate forced by Reagan supporters attempted to

force apparent nominee, Gerald Ford to announce choice for VP before balloting began

◦Convention voted against rule change◦Ford got nomination

1980 Democratic Convention◦Ted Kennedy tried to change rules that required delegates

pledged to a candidate to vote for that candidate on the 1st ballot Hoped some of Carter’s supporters would defect

◦Convention defeated the change◦Carter received the nomination

Platform Fights

The platform is the statement of party values and goals for the election◦Provide public debates & philosophical

arguments could affect the party 1948: fight over civil rights led Southern Democrats

to walk out – create Dixiecrats 1964: Goldwater conservatives

were in control of platform & refused to make concessions to moderates in areas of civil rights

1968: arguments over Vietnam split the Democrats, hurt Humphrey’s chances against Nixon

Can be used to ameliorate political relations1976: Ford agreed to concessions to Reagan’s views

on détente1980: Carter allowed Kennedy's supporters to add a

job program to the platformTo avoid televised platform controversy in 1996 &

2000, both parties reached consensus on touchy issues prior to the start of the convention

But party platforms usually fade into woodwork after the convention

Speeches

Politicians giving nominating speeches can vault them into their own candidacy◦2004 – Barack Obama’s keynote 2008

candidacy◦1956 – JFK’s nomination speech 1960

Not all speeches bring positive effects◦1988 – Clinton’s long nomination of Dukakis

has to promise to keep it under control when he runs in 1992

◦1992 – Patrick Buchanan and Pat Robertson speeches some Americans felt Republicans giving too much influence to conservatives & religious right

Balloting

Follows keynote and nomination speechesIn recent years has been a formality

◦But tactics used by frontrunner’s opponents can put nomination in doubt (Think about Gingrich’s promise to carry his

campaign to the convention to launch a direct challenge to Mitt Romney)

Selecting the VP

Since 1940 precedent: presidential nominees choose their running mates

Philosophy in choosing your running mate:◦ Balancing the ticket

JFK & LBJ; Carter & Mondale; ◦ Paying off a political debt◦ Elevating a person, minority group

Mondale & Ferraro◦ Break the rules – choose someone unexpected

Unexpected region:◦ Clinton & Gore

Unexpected religion◦ Gore & Lieberman

Opposite ideologically◦ Obama & Biden

Unknown individual◦ McCain & Palin

Now you need to paint a picture of party unity

Micromanaging the Convention

1996, 2000, 2004, 2008, both parties ran the most tightly-controlled political conventions since the start of TV coverage◦Orchestrated themes◦Highly scheduled

http://www.gopconvention2012.com/ http://charlottein2012.com/

◦Chose keynote speakers & “prime-time” dignitaries◦Criticism from media, but both parties believed

they had put best foot forward

http://www.gop.com/2008Platform/

http://www.democrats.org/about/party_platform

http://elections.nytimes.com/2008/president/issues/party-platforms/index.html