We are at half time in convention season. I still need to provide some detail about what happened at the RNC and what it means since this will help us when we cover political parties later this semester, but here are a few stories that touch on different aspects of these affairs:
- The Week thinks its time to cancel political conventions. Presidential candidates have already been selected, and all that is decided are the rules for the next primary season and the selection of the party's platform.
- The Monkey Cage looks at the history of Presidential nominee's speeches at convention and how they have changed over time. They note that until FDR, nominees didn't even speak at conventions. They also note that the speeches have become very touchy-feely recently.
- 538 looks at the "bumps" candidates get from each convention. They vary historically, but t predicts only small bump for either candidate this year.
- The Smithsonian Magazine goes back in time and looks at the 10 most consequential Political Conventions. None since 1976 make the cut.
- ABCNews traces how they have changed over time. It points out that conventions play less a role in selecting presidents than they have in the past.
- Digital Trends would like to see - of course - more hi tech at these affairs.
