Presidential Nominating Conventions: Past, Present and Future
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Costas Panagopoulos
Few aspects of the presidential selection process have changed as dramatically as nominating conventions have over the past half century or so. Once the epicenters of the proverbial smoke-filled rooms that all but decided presidential nominations, some argue that conventions are now mainly superficial, perfunctory and even superfluous affairs. These developments, influenced in large part by the ways in which political parties have adapted to institutional changes and growth in mass media, have essentially transformed the nature and role of conventions in modern campaigns. But conventions remain key political events that motivate and inform voters and that have the capacity to influence the dynamics of presidential campaigns. Conventions still matter and persist as useful political institutions.
©2011 Walter de Gruyter GmbH & Co. KG, Berlin/Boston
Articles in the same Issue
- Introduction
- Special Issue: The Politics of Presidential Selection
- Article
- The Iowa Caucuses, 1972-2008: A Eulogy
- Handicapping the 2008 Nomination Races: An Early Winter Prospectus
- Political Parties in Rough Weather
- Don't Blame Primary Voters for Polarization
- Selecting Presidential Nominees by National Primary: An Idea Whose Time Has Come?
- Presidential Nominating Conventions: Past, Present and Future
- On the Air: Advertising in 2004 as a Window on the 2008 Presidential General Election
- Commentary
- The European Union, Turkish Limitations, and American Disinterest
- Review
- Glory Days: A Review of Bruce Miroff's The Liberals' Moment: The McGovern Insurgency and the Identity Crisis of the Democratic Party
- The Heart of the Problem: A Book Review of The Liberals' Moment by Bruce Miroff
- Response or Comment
- Response to Kenneth Baer and Elaine Kamarck
- Response to Bruce Miroff
Articles in the same Issue
- Introduction
- Special Issue: The Politics of Presidential Selection
- Article
- The Iowa Caucuses, 1972-2008: A Eulogy
- Handicapping the 2008 Nomination Races: An Early Winter Prospectus
- Political Parties in Rough Weather
- Don't Blame Primary Voters for Polarization
- Selecting Presidential Nominees by National Primary: An Idea Whose Time Has Come?
- Presidential Nominating Conventions: Past, Present and Future
- On the Air: Advertising in 2004 as a Window on the 2008 Presidential General Election
- Commentary
- The European Union, Turkish Limitations, and American Disinterest
- Review
- Glory Days: A Review of Bruce Miroff's The Liberals' Moment: The McGovern Insurgency and the Identity Crisis of the Democratic Party
- The Heart of the Problem: A Book Review of The Liberals' Moment by Bruce Miroff
- Response or Comment
- Response to Kenneth Baer and Elaine Kamarck
- Response to Bruce Miroff
