Why Political Conventions Still Matter
Important business will go down in Tampa and Charlotte. You just won’t be able to see it.
The made-for-television national political conventions have become increasingly boring and long spectacles. But these carefully choreographed productions remain hugely important to the parties and their candidates.
The reason: What goes on in the back rooms, well out of sight of the television audience, matters most to the success of a campaign. That's where top campaign operatives and interest groups such as the National Rifle Association, labor and the Chamber of Commerce outline their endgame strategies and glad-hand the fat cats who write big checks to the campaigns, super PACS and political parties.
They share secret information on a need-to-know basis with some state organizers and operatives, but they make every word to loyal foot soldiers sound as if it is the most important thing they will hear all week. It's a time-tested ploy that pumps up the troops and makes them feel as if they have a foot inside the campaign war rooms.
![https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/hwgJ7osrMtUWhk5koeVme7-200-80.png](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/hwgJ7osrMtUWhk5koeVme7-320-80.png)
Sign up for Kiplinger’s Free E-Newsletters
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice on investing, taxes, retirement, personal finance and more - straight to your e-mail.
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice - straight to your e-mail.
The message to big donors is different. They're warned of doom and potential failure if they don't pony up more cash and urge their friends to do the same. The campaigns warn that their candidates will be outspent and outgunned if they don't get a fresh set of checks ASAP and that they won't be able to do the bidding of the special interests if they lose the elections.
The conventions are scheduled as late in the summer as possible to officially kick off the fall campaign season with momentum. The Democratic bash in Charlotte, N.C., for example, will stretch beyond Labor Day this year.
The late events give the parties a better chance to keep faithful followers engaged. They are the people who will make thousands of phone calls on behalf of their candidates, knock on doors, pass out literature, register new voters, solicit donations, fill the seats at rallies and drive others of like mind to the polls.
If there is a real narrative to follow this year, it's not what will happen, but rather who isn't going. With each passing week, an unprecedented number of GOP and Democratic candidates announce that they'll skip the parties in Tampa, Fla., and Charlotte and stay home to campaign. These candidates market their truancy as a badge of honor, telling voters they would rather be with them than rub elbows with the party machinery.
Others aren't there because they're not wanted. Former President George W. Bush is a good example. With President Obama's campaign painting GOP candidate Mitt Romney as an unflattering throwback to the Bush era, Bush's decision to stay home was welcome, but calculated, news for GOP organizers. Sure, Bush was invited, but the Romney campaign was aware that he wouldn't accept. Like the rest of the convention, it was part of the script.
So, barring a surprise such as a truly spontaneous protest from supporters of Rep. Ron Paul (R-TX), the conventions will be virtually news free.
This isn't to say that the conventions should be eliminated. But it might be time to consider limiting them to two or three days. Without question, a candidate's acceptance speech is critical to setting the tone for the final two months of the campaign. The keynote address and nominating speech should be part of the process, too.
Beyond that, there seems to be a lot of room for slimming down the process.
Get Kiplinger Today newsletter — free
Profit and prosper with the best of Kiplinger's advice on investing, taxes, retirement, personal finance and much more. Delivered daily. Enter your email in the box and click Sign Me Up.
-
Ford Recalls More Than 90,000 Vehicles. Is Your Truck or SUV on the List?
Ford recalls some Bronco, F-150, Explorer, Edge, Lincoln Nautilus and Lincoln Aviator vehicles due to faulty engine intake valves
By Kathryn Pomroy Published
-
Stock Market Today: Stocks End Mixed Ahead of August Jobs Report
The main indexes struggled for direction Thursday after data showed the labor market continued to cool.
By Karee Venema Published
-
AI Regulation is Looming: Kiplinger Economic Forecasts
Economic Forecasts Find out what Washington and regulators have planned for artificial intelligence.
By John Miley Published
-
The Biden Tax Plan: How the Build Back Better Act Could Affect Your Tax Bill
Politics Depending on your income, the Build Back Better Act recently passed by the House could boost or cut your future tax bills.
By Rocky Mengle Published
-
Kiplinger's 2020 Election Forecast
Politics For nearly a century, The Kiplinger Letter has forecasted the outcome of presidential elections to keep readers informed of what's coming and what it means for them. Here's our call for 2020.
By The Kiplinger Washington Editors Published
-
The 2020 Election and Your Money
Politics We’ve assessed how the presidential candidates’ stances on financial issues will affect your wallet.
By the editors of Kiplinger's Personal Finance Published
-
5 HEROES Act Provisions with a Good Chance of Becoming Law
Politics The massive federal stimulus bill just passed by the House of Representatives is "dead on arrival" in the Senate. But a few proposals in the bill have enough bipartisan support to eventually become law.
By Rocky Mengle Published
-
Vote by Mail: A State-by-State Guide to Absentee Ballot Voting
Politics With health authorities recommending people continue to social distance, the idea of voting by mail is becoming an increasingly hot topic.
By Rivan V. Stinson Published
-
9 Ways COVID-19 Will Change the 2020 Elections
Politics The 2020 election will be like no other in history, as the COVID-19 pandemic will upend the business of politics as usual.
By Sean Lengell Published
-
How to Run for Local Office
Politics If you’ve ever thought that you could do a better job than the elected officials currently in office, here’s how to launch a campaign—and win.
By Kaitlin Pitsker Published