In the USA, a presidential nomination convention is held by the majority of political parties every four years to begin the run-up to the presidential election. The first national convention was held in 1831 by the Anti-Masonic Party, and the Democrats followed suit the next year, and the Republicans 23 years later. Although many of the conventions' formal purposes have been abolished due to changes in election laws, they still include the selection and confirmation of nominees for the presidency and vice-presidency, establishing a platform of party policy and electing a national committee of the party. They supposedly have other, less tangible functions, which could be why they're still around today, though cynics have branded them as "Hollywood" and "Media saturation".
Conventions have been said to create a feeling of bonding, team spirit and hype. By staging a large-scale event attracting a congregation of supporters, paired with a carnival-like atmosphere with music, chanting, banners etc, a nominee's support can be strengthened and widened, since the supporters will mainly be surrounded by like-minded people united on similar ideas, which could attract others, especially floating voters, to 'join the party band wagon', helped largely by massive media coverage.
The ceremonial events of accepting the nominations for presidency and vice presidency are followed by acceptance speeches, which have generally moved more towards being speeches of an emotional nature, rather than being solely based on policy and technical details. The aim of this is to give a more personalised and overwhelming feeling to the public and supporters, by appealing to their emotions. This is preceded by other speakers, usually other important political figures, announcing their support for the candidate, for example, Hillary Clinton offering her support for Barack Obama in the 2008 Democrats' nomination convention, after losing to him in a closely-fought battle for the presidential nomination, quote, "One party, one purpose." Proclaiming her allegiance to Obama after losing to him is with the aim to bring a sense of unity to the party, or at least the public, and to mask any separation within the party, which is a core function of the nomination convention, as parties which are not united are seen as weaker governments, which would compromise the party's campaign for power.
National Convention System of nominating presidential candidates.~Trollerton
A United States presidential nominating convention is a political convention held every four years in the United States by most of the political parties who will be fielding nominees in the upcoming U.S. presidential election.
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.
Advisors select and choose a vice president.
Iowa held the first nominating events for the 2012 presidential election.
1832
National Convention System of nominating presidential candidates.~Trollerton
At a national nominating convention, the presidential and vice president nominees are determined. Also the party comes up with its platform for the election.
A United States presidential nominating convention is a political convention held every four years in the United States by most of the political parties who will be fielding nominees in the upcoming U.S. presidential election.
The system the convention set up for choosing President was the electoral college.
Political term meaning not enough winning delegate followed through the presidential primaries to win majority during a party' s nominating convention.
dissatisfaction with president taft's renomination (novanet)
dissatisfaction with President Taft's renomination :D
national conventions for nominating presidential candidates.
A presidential candidate wins a state by getting the most popular votes in the election. He typically gets the most popular votes by convincing the majority of voters that they will be better off if he is president that if his opponent if elected.
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.