2. The Nomination Game

3. Party Conventions History Anti-Masons held 1 st convention 1831- 116 delegates, b/c had little congressional representation Democratic-Republicans (now Democrats) held convention 1832 to show popular support for Jackson- beginning of conventions for party nominations

4. Power of Party Leaders Party leaders were powerful- minimal public participation. Deals made behind closed doors Progressive era of early 1900s meant demand for change 1912 TR won 9 primaries Taft 1 BUT Taft still got nomination from party bosses As a result more states began to have primaries to select nominee Still “beauty contest” winners didn’t always get nomination

5. Times they are a changin’ 1968 Johnson, Mc Carthy, Robert Kennedy, Humphrey Johnson bows out, Humphrey skips a primary hoping to get nomination at convention Tumultuous convention in Chicago-MLK and Kennedy assassinated that year, Vietnam protesters clashing with police outside convention

6. McCarthy had 42% of vote in New Hampshire primary but did not have support of party bosses Delegates felt cheated and demanded reform so the MC GOVERN-FRASER COMMITTEE was formed goal was to make delegates reflect results of primary so nominee became person who won most primaries not the person the party elite wanted

7. MC GOVERN-FRASER COMMITTEE 1972 Senator George McGovern & Congressman Donald Fraser Recommended that voters have “the maximum feasible opportunity to participate in the delegate selection process.” Women, minorities and young people should be represented based on proportion of registered voters in their state

8. Republicans launch reforms for 1972 Recommendations: = # of male and female delegates in each state convention Establish quota for delegates under 25 years of age Maintain a required level of minority membership on 4 standing committees of the convention

9. Conventions Today Formally nominate President and Vice President-presidential nominee is clear b/c of primaries VP selection just before convention to spark more interest Largely a media blitz-highly scripted w/key note speakers Platform adopted by party Non convention years the Republican National Committee (RNC) and the DNC govern the parties

10. 1976- each network broadcast 50 hours 2000-only nine hours of convention http://hnn.us/articles/1161.html# http://hnn.us/articles/1161.html# 2008-one or two hours each night for networks