In recent years, all they do is confirm the choice made in the primaries, ratify the winning candidates choice of running mate , make a lot of speeches and try to kick the presidential campaign off with a bang.
Not too many years ago, they actually chose the nominees for their party.
Delegates from all the states and US territories meet at the national convention. Nominations for president are the first order of business. Speeches are made to put names in nomination. Some of the delegates are already committed to one candidate by a primary election or caucus. Some are uncommitted or else or committed to a favorite son who is not a serious candidate. Deals are made and balloting begins by roll call vote of the states in alphabetical order. After each vote is announced, there is often a demonstration in favor of their candidate, If one candidates gets a majority, everybody changes their vote to make it unanimous. If not, more deals are made and another ballot taken. After a presidential candidate is nominated, he makes an acceptance speech. Next a vice-presidential candidate is chosen by balloting and finally a platform is approved.
A lot of money
It was in 1968 that the Democrats forced significant changes in the nominating process that remain intact today. This happened after the Democratic National Convention.
The national convention system for nominating presidential candidates was developed by the Democratic Party in the early 19th century. This system was established to provide a more formal and inclusive process for selecting candidates, allowing party members from different states to come together and choose their nominee. The convention system has since been adopted by other political parties in the United States.
1968 - After Humphrey narrowly lost the 1968 general election to Richard Nixon, reform-minded Democrats forced changes in the nominating process.
"Both major political parties in the United States select their presidential candidates through a process of primary elections. However, voters do not directly select presidential nominees in these primaries. Instead, they choose delegates from their respective states who will attend a national party convention to nominate a presidential candidate for their party." from thisnation.com
The presidential nominating process illustrates constitutional change and development because it shows the power of a democracy. Over time the nominating process has changed significantly and gives everyone a chance verses just a certain type of person.
To nominate the presidential and vice-presidential candidates, as well as to adopt a statement of party principles and goals known as the platform and adopt the rules for the party's activities, including the presidential nominating process for the next election cycle.
Party bosses
Party bosses
Party bosses
citizens vote for delegates in primaries and caucuses and delegates then select the candidate at a national nominating convention
That is an election held by a political party as part of the process of nominating a candidate to represent the party in the presidential election.
The presidential nominating process illustrates constitutional change and development because it shows the power of a democracy. Over time the nominating process has changed significantly and gives everyone a chance verses just a certain type of person.