Delegates, Platforms, & Planks National Conventions Delegates, Platforms, & Planks http://nationaleventrental.com/event_pics/e608cacb3053f9e558950c003a1555e32.jpg http://radio.weblogs.com/0101170/images/elections/2008rncconventionlogo.jpg

Delegates Review: How are Delegates chosen? Primaries Caucuses

Superdelegates By definition, Superdelegates are national party leaders who automatically get a delegate slot at the Democratic National Party Convention Who are they? Public office holders Party officials Democratic party became concerned about the lack of a role for party leaders at their conventions that starting in 1984 they automatically set aside 15% of their delegate slots for public officeholders and party officials.

Why Superdelegates? Designed to restore an element of oversight by party leaders and public office holders Ensures participation of those most familiar with the candidate To date the primaries have proved to be far more crucial than the superdelegates.

http://z.about.com/d/politicalhumor/1/0/B/z/1/superdelegates_sac0213cd.jpg

National Party Convention By definition, a National Party Convention is the supreme power within each of the parties. Meets every four years Nominate Party President & Vice President Today, the drama h been drained from the conventions because the winner is a foregone conclusion. No longer can a powerful governor shift a whole block of votes at the last minute. Delegates selected in primaries and open caucuses have known preferences. The last time there was any doubt about who would win at the convention was in 1976 when Gerald Ford barely edged out Ronald Reagan for the Republican Nomination. The reduced drama at party conventions also reduces the number of hours networks cover the events. At one time, the National Conventions once garnered more national T.V. attention than the Summer Olympics. However, as the number of primaries and caucuses increase over the years, nominations are decided before the conventions. The element of suspense is gone, hence media coverage is limited compared to what it has been in years past.

2008 Conventions Democratic Republican Denver, Colorado August 25-28, 2008 Republican St. Paul, Minnesota September 1-4, 2008

The Agenda Day One: Keynote speech Recalling party heroes Condemning opposition Highlights nominee’s strengths

Agenda Day Two: Party Platform approved & confirmed In writing a party platform, disagreements between various factions of the party often become evident. In recent years, Ann Stone has led a movement of Republican women in favor of a pro-choice plank on abortion. Although Ann Stone’s efforts have received a fair amount of media attention, she has been unsuccessful in getting the republican convention to consider its pro-life platform.

What is a Platform? A Party Platform is a political party’s statement of its goals and policies for the next four years. Drafted prior to National Convention by a committee The committee members are chosen in rough proportion to each candidate’s strength

What is a Platform? If 20% of committee delegates disagree with platform, the minority may propose an alternative plank to the convention floor for debate. Planks are the individual issues that compose the overall party platform. In recent years, party platform has served mostly as a way for the minority factions in the party to make sure that their voices are heard.

Party Platforms 2008 Republican Platform 2008 Democratic Platform Hyperlinks to each party’s platforms for this election year.

For Example… Planks included in a party platform: Education Veterans National Security Agricultural Policies Climate Change Why are planks important? How do they help you, the voter, decide who to support?

More Planks… The Economy Energy Health Care Iraq Immigration Tax Reform http://content.answers.com/main/content/wp/en/thumb/4/40/275px-Gop-plank.JPG

Agenda Day Three Formal Nominations Speeches given by well-known candidate supporter, followed by subsequent speeches Balloting begins, states announce results Nomination becomes official

Agenda Day Four Vice-President chosen by roll-call vote Acceptance speech given Grand Finale: Presidential Candidate’s acceptance speech Historically, Vice President nominations follow the Presidential Candidates recommendation. The roll-call vote is merely a formality. This year, Senator Hillary Clinton asked the Democratic Delegates to forgo the roll-call vote and unanimously approve of Senator Obama’s choice in Joe Biden. She felt it would foster party unity.

Acceptance Speeches Senator Obama's Acceptance Speech Senator McCain's Acceptance Speech

Discussion What common characteristics did you notice in Obama and McCain’s speeches? Were there distinct differences? If so, what?

Official Site Democratic National Convention Republican National Convention Go online to view schedule, read speech transcripts, watch videos of speeches & events