1. starter activity Parties hold a convention every year Parties hold a convention every year Parties decide who holds the convention first Parties decide who holds the convention first Delegates can vote for any candidate Delegates can vote for any candidate Conventions are exciting because they choose the presidential & veep candidates Conventions are exciting because they choose the presidential & veep candidates List 4 things an acceptance speech would achieve List 4 things an acceptance speech would achieve Copy down the statements and correct them.

2. How do presidential candidates balance the ticket? To explain the meaning of balanced ticket and Superdelegates To assess the extent to which Biden provided a balanced ticket for Obama Learning objectives

3. Bill Clinton endorses Barack Obama, Democratic Convention, 2008

4. Senator Edward Kennedy, speaking at the 1980 Democratic Convention after failing to win the presidential nomination of his party.

5. Your task Your task Read p.224-227 (McKay) and note down ways in which the nature of national conventions has changed in recent years. In particular … Read p.224-227 (McKay) and note down ways in which the nature of national conventions has changed in recent years. In particular … Reforms introduced by the McGovern-Fraser Commission (1968) Reforms introduced by the McGovern-Fraser Commission (1968) Reforms introduced by the Hunt Commission (1982) Reforms introduced by the Hunt Commission (1982) Extension assess the success of the reforms Extension assess the success of the reforms

6. McGovern-Fraser Increased representation of minority & ethnic groups within party, e.g. blacks, women & youth Increased representation of minority & ethnic groups within party, e.g. blacks, women & youth System of proportional representation recommended for primary elections System of proportional representation recommended for primary elections

7. Hunt Commission (1982) Minimum 20% cut-off established for primaries Minimum 20% cut-off established for primaries Affirmative action requirements to open up meetings Affirmative action requirements to open up meetings Superdelegates – regular party members, e.g. state governors & Congress members to provide peer review Superdelegates – regular party members, e.g. state governors & Congress members to provide peer review Primary season shortened

8. Your task Your task Read p.229-30 (Bennett) and note down the criteria for creating a balanced ticket. Read p.229-30 (Bennett) and note down the criteria for creating a balanced ticket. Extension. Assess the extent to which recent candidate Dukakis succeeded in achieving a balanced ticket in his choice of candidate Extension. Assess the extent to which recent candidate Dukakis succeeded in achieving a balanced ticket in his choice of candidate

9. Your task Your task Study the profile of Obama based and then look at the candidates for his running mate in 2008. Which in your opinion would provide the most balanced tocket? Study the profile of Obama based and then look at the candidates for his running mate in 2008. Which in your opinion would provide the most balanced tocket?

10. Homework Homework Read the article The Biden Vice Presidency and answer questions 1-3 & 5-9. Read the article The Biden Vice Presidency and answer questions 1-3 & 5-9. Extension. Investigate Sarah Palin. What qualities made her an ideal running mate for John McCain in the 2008 presidential campaign? Extension. Investigate Sarah Palin. What qualities made her an ideal running mate for John McCain in the 2008 presidential campaign?

11. Plenary Plenary Explain the term Superdelegates & balanced ticket Explain the term Superdelegates & balanced ticket How have national conventions been reformed in recent years? How have national conventions been reformed in recent years? How successful have the reforms been? How successful have the reforms been? If Obama hadnt chosen Biden, who would have been a strong running mate? If Obama hadnt chosen Biden, who would have been a strong running mate?