National Conventions

1
National Conventions

• Delegates, Platforms, Planks

http//nationaleventrental.com/event_pics/e608cacb
3053f9e558950c003a1555e32.jpg
http//radio.weblogs.com/0101170/images/elections/
2008rncconventionlogo.jpg
2
Delegates

• Review How are Delegates chosen?
• Primaries
• Caucuses

3
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

4
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

5
http//z.about.com/d/politicalhumor/1/0/B/z/1/supe
rdelegates_sac0213cd.jpg
6
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

7
2008 Conventions

• Democratic
• Denver, Colorado
• August 25-28, 2008

• Republican
• St. Paul, Minnesota
• September 1-4, 2008

8
The Agenda

• Day One
• Keynote speech
• Recalling party heroes
• Condemning opposition
• Highlights nominees strengths

9
Agenda

• Day Two
• Party Platform approved confirmed

10
What is a Platform?

• A Party Platform is a political partys statement
  of its goals and policies for the next four
  years.
• Drafted prior to National Convention by a
  committee

11
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.

12
Party Platforms

• 2008 Republican Platform
• 2008 Democratic Platform

13
For Example

• Planks included in a party platform
• Education
• Veterans
• National Security
• Agricultural Policies
• Climate Change

14
More Planks

• The Economy
• Energy
• Health Care
• Iraq
• Immigration
• Tax Reform

http//content.answers.com/main/content/wp/en/thum
b/4/40/275px-Gop-plank.JPG
15
Agenda

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

16
Agenda

• Day Four
• Vice-President chosen by roll-call vote
• Acceptance speech given
• Grand Finale Presidential Candidates acceptance
  speech

17
Acceptance Speeches

• Senator Obama's Acceptance Speech

Senator McCain's Acceptance Speech
18
Discussion

• What common characteristics did you notice in
  Obama and McCains speeches?
• Were there distinct differences?
• If so, what?

19
Official Site

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