Chapter 13 Section 5 Objective: To understand how the national conventions operate

A. The convention setting 1. Party conventions meet in large auditoriums, with seating arranged by state. 2. Large areas of the hall are reserved for spectators and the media.

B. The Opening Session 1. Conventions run for about four days with one or two sessions per day. 2. At the opening session, temporary convention officials are chosen and welcoming speeches are given.

C. The Second and Third Sessions 1. At these meetings, permanent convention officials are chosen, credentials of delegates are examined, rules are adopted, and the party platform is debated. 2. The platform is an important document that states the party’s position on key issues…(impact on candidate???)

D. The Final Session 1. In the final sessions, nominations are made and balloting proceeds. 2. Once the candidate has been selected, the Vice-Presidential nominee is named and the candidate makes his or her acceptance speech.

E. Whom does the Party Nominate? 1. Incumbent Presidents almost always get another nomination if they want it. 2. In order to win their party’s nomination, candidates must have considerable political experience and popularity. 3. Historically, nominations have gone to white male protestants who have been governors or senators…VPs and Secretaries of State also get the nod.