The Political Convention
The Political Convention
The political convention is a uniquely
American tradition, one that is
focused on the political parties that
have defined Americans' choices in
government for nearly 175 years.
The Political Convention
Political conventions, and the party
system they are an integral part of
our elections, but are not mentioned
in the U.S. Constitution.
Functions of Conventions
In the 1800’s, the movement in the
United States was to place more
political power directly in the hands
of the citizens.
Political conventions were one way of
doing this.
Functions of Conventions
Originally, the main purpose of
political conventions was to
nominate the party's candidate
for president.
Functions of Conventions
Candidates would now be chosen
by delegates who were selected
at the state or county level by
the party members.
Functions of Conventions
Previously, candidates were
nominated in secret caucuses by
members of Congress.
Functions of Conventions
The convention offers party members
a chance to gather together and
discuss the party's platform. The
platform is the party's stance on the
political issues of the day. For a long
time, the convention was a place for
political debate, and important
decisions were made there.
Functions of Conventions
Today, presidential primaries have
made the Conventions unnecessary
for practical purposes.
They exist primarily as a marketing
tool and a political pep rally, where
each party puts on a wellchoreographed show.
The Political Convention
JFK at the Democratic National Convention,
Los Angeles, CA 1960
Convention Highlights
Ironically, the first political
convention was held by a third party,
the Anti-Mason Party, in 1831
1832 Democratic Convention Baltimore -- Andrew Jackson Representatives from 23 states
attended.
Convention Highlights
1856 Republican Convention - Philadelphia
- John C. Fremont - the Republicans are
considered a third party, next to the
Democrats and Whigs, but Freemont goes
on to receive 33 percent of the vote.
1860 Republican Convention - Chicago Abraham Lincoln becomes the first
Republican to win the presidency.
Convention Highlights
1868 Democratic Convention New
York -- Horatio Seymour - Susan B.
Anthony urges support of women's
suffrage at the convention
Convention Highlights
1888 Republican Convention – Chicago Benjamin Harrison - Frederick
Douglass was invited to speak and
became the first African-American to
be nominated for President of the
United States in a major party's roll
call vote, receiving one vote from
Kentucky in the fourth vote
The Political Convention
The Reagans at the Republican National
Convention, Detroit, MI 1980
Convention Highlights
1924 Republican Convention - Cleveland Calvin Coolidge for the first time, a
convention is broadcast by radio.
1932 Democratic Convention - Chicago Franklin D. Roosevelt was the first majorparty candidate to accept the nomination
in person, offering a "New Deal" for
America.
Convention Highlights
1940 Republican Convention - Philadelphia
- Wendell L. Wilkie - The convention is
the first to be televised.
1964 Republican Convention - San
Francisco – Barry Goldwater - For the
first time, a woman is placed in
nomination for president by a major party
- Senator Margaret Chase Smith of
Maine
Convention Highlights
1984 Democratic Convention -San
Francisco - Walter Mondale Representative Geraldine Ferraro of
New York is nominated as vice
president, becoming the first woman
ever placed on a national ticket by a
major party.
The Political Convention
Happy Days Are Here Again" is
probably best remembered as the
campaign song for Franklin Delano
Roosevelt's (FDR) successful 1932
Presidential campaign. Since FDR's use
of the song, it has come to be
recognized as the unofficial theme of
the Democratic Party. The lyrics
suggest optimism and buoyancy.
References
http://people.howstuffworks.com/political-convention.htm
http://www.nytimes.com/library/politics/camp/whouse/conv
ention-ra.html
A Susan Ging Lent Production