I didn't watch a single minute of the DNC. So far I haven't watched a single minute of the RNC. I expect that will remain unchanged. Oh, I see snippets of both on Facebook, read some comments about who is saying what, that sort of thing. But the truth of the matter is, I'm not watching. For me, no matter which convention it is, it is just a show. There are no new decisions being made, no real surprises, just an excuse to hold a big party, a rally if you will. And it isn't all that entertaining in my opinion. I think the majority of people watching those conventions have already decided on their votes. They are watching more to validate their choice than to decide. At least that's what I think. It's human nature. I want to hear others telling us how right I am, that I have made the correct decision. In 2020 I'm thinking that national conventions are really a relic of the past, no longer a necessity. No, today those national conventions are more of a " rally " than anything else.
I think in the past, before the internet, those conventions did perform a different function. Mass communication existed certainly, but the internet created a superhighway of information. The result being far more people have made up their minds, have decided who they are backing before the conventions first speaker takes the stage. I can recall my parents watching portions of the conventions on television when I was young. I do remember some of that fiasco called the DNC in 1968. Yes, that's the famous, or should I say infamous one, so many people have heard about. Eventually it was called a Police riot by the news media of the day. Not really that much different than what we are hearing today. Much of that began when a man named Dean Johnson, an American Indian, was shot and killed by the Chicago Police. He and another boy were in violation of a curfew order. When confronted by the police Dean Johnson pulled a gun and attempted to fire at the police. The gun misfired but the cops guns did not. He was killed. The situation between protestors and the police only went downhill from there. Was it the fault of the police attempting to maintain law and order, or was it police brutality? As today, depends on who is telling the story.
What other significant events can you relate to a political convention? If you are like me, probably not much. A few fiery speeches, perhaps a scuffle and some name calling, but nothing of any real concern. You would have to go back before my time to read about anything exciting happening. Back in the "old" days the party bosses would determine the nominee at these conventions. In more modern times the nominee is well known in advance having been determined by the primaries. So in reality these conventions aren't really a necessity in that regard. But the big deal today is supposed to be the establishment of the party platform. It is during the convention that platform is supposed to be solidified. That's why Biden turned to Sanders asking for support, mostly a lessening of the left leaning policies of him and his supporters. As far as I can tell that platform today consists mostly of, we hate Trump, more than any substantial policies. The presidential nominee admits he disagrees with his vice presidential pick as far as policy concerns. I'd say the platform isn't very stable. But I'd say the vast majority of potential voters already knew all of that.
Now with this "virus" forcing more or less virtual conventions one has to ask, what's the point? Well a great deal of it has to do with fundraising. Yes, money rears its' ugly head once again in the political maelstrom that is an election in the United States today. It takes a lot of money to campaign these days. It's an unfortunate truth in politics but that has always been so. The candidates with the most money have an advantage regardless of policy. Oh it doesn't always get the candidate elected, but it sure makes it a distinct possibility. How did people like AOC get elected? Through contributions to her campaign fund. The big donors are expecting a return on that investment, don't be fooled by any of the hype. The evidence for that is apparent to anyone that just steps back and takes a good look at the last three plus years! Yes, many rich and powerful people aren't happy that their last investment turned out to be a bust! That's what a great deal of this is all about. A lot of money was lost and what's worse it is looking like the loses will continue! I'm reminded of a line in the movie Dirty Dancing when the club owner is talking to his band leader, "Lots' of changes, it feels like its' all just slipping away" That's the way those power brokers in the DNC are feeling about now. Trump showed up to the dance and things are changing.
I'm thinking we may have seen the end to the big conventions. Funding is of paramount importance and perhaps the money spent on that will be redirected. Virtual conventions are certainly cheaper. Heck more people get their information on policy and platform from Twitter and Facebook than any convention. I seriously doubt anyone is waiting until the national convention to decide who they are voting for. I don't think it makes a bit of difference which party affiliation we are talking about either. The conventions today are not much more than "love fests" for the candidate. The only surprises today may be which other "former candidates" change their opinion of the nominee. Last week they were busy deriding each other, insisting their plan was the way to go. At the convention they are now in love with that person giving them their full endorsement! Ah, politics does make for strange bedfellows.
I think in the past, before the internet, those conventions did perform a different function. Mass communication existed certainly, but the internet created a superhighway of information. The result being far more people have made up their minds, have decided who they are backing before the conventions first speaker takes the stage. I can recall my parents watching portions of the conventions on television when I was young. I do remember some of that fiasco called the DNC in 1968. Yes, that's the famous, or should I say infamous one, so many people have heard about. Eventually it was called a Police riot by the news media of the day. Not really that much different than what we are hearing today. Much of that began when a man named Dean Johnson, an American Indian, was shot and killed by the Chicago Police. He and another boy were in violation of a curfew order. When confronted by the police Dean Johnson pulled a gun and attempted to fire at the police. The gun misfired but the cops guns did not. He was killed. The situation between protestors and the police only went downhill from there. Was it the fault of the police attempting to maintain law and order, or was it police brutality? As today, depends on who is telling the story.
What other significant events can you relate to a political convention? If you are like me, probably not much. A few fiery speeches, perhaps a scuffle and some name calling, but nothing of any real concern. You would have to go back before my time to read about anything exciting happening. Back in the "old" days the party bosses would determine the nominee at these conventions. In more modern times the nominee is well known in advance having been determined by the primaries. So in reality these conventions aren't really a necessity in that regard. But the big deal today is supposed to be the establishment of the party platform. It is during the convention that platform is supposed to be solidified. That's why Biden turned to Sanders asking for support, mostly a lessening of the left leaning policies of him and his supporters. As far as I can tell that platform today consists mostly of, we hate Trump, more than any substantial policies. The presidential nominee admits he disagrees with his vice presidential pick as far as policy concerns. I'd say the platform isn't very stable. But I'd say the vast majority of potential voters already knew all of that.
Now with this "virus" forcing more or less virtual conventions one has to ask, what's the point? Well a great deal of it has to do with fundraising. Yes, money rears its' ugly head once again in the political maelstrom that is an election in the United States today. It takes a lot of money to campaign these days. It's an unfortunate truth in politics but that has always been so. The candidates with the most money have an advantage regardless of policy. Oh it doesn't always get the candidate elected, but it sure makes it a distinct possibility. How did people like AOC get elected? Through contributions to her campaign fund. The big donors are expecting a return on that investment, don't be fooled by any of the hype. The evidence for that is apparent to anyone that just steps back and takes a good look at the last three plus years! Yes, many rich and powerful people aren't happy that their last investment turned out to be a bust! That's what a great deal of this is all about. A lot of money was lost and what's worse it is looking like the loses will continue! I'm reminded of a line in the movie Dirty Dancing when the club owner is talking to his band leader, "Lots' of changes, it feels like its' all just slipping away" That's the way those power brokers in the DNC are feeling about now. Trump showed up to the dance and things are changing.
I'm thinking we may have seen the end to the big conventions. Funding is of paramount importance and perhaps the money spent on that will be redirected. Virtual conventions are certainly cheaper. Heck more people get their information on policy and platform from Twitter and Facebook than any convention. I seriously doubt anyone is waiting until the national convention to decide who they are voting for. I don't think it makes a bit of difference which party affiliation we are talking about either. The conventions today are not much more than "love fests" for the candidate. The only surprises today may be which other "former candidates" change their opinion of the nominee. Last week they were busy deriding each other, insisting their plan was the way to go. At the convention they are now in love with that person giving them their full endorsement! Ah, politics does make for strange bedfellows.
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