Why political conventions are necessary

By: Sophie Galloway

As you turn on the TV, you are swarmed with many issues on the news. Opinions are thrown
in your face. Presidential debates are being aired. You have the opportunity to decide who
you are for and who is compatible with your beliefs. By navigating through different news
broadcast outlets you decide what candidate you stand for and who only gets so much from a
candidate. Therefore, you as a voter should be able to experience a rally of a candidate of
your choice.

Presidential conventions began in the 1830s. ​Conventions were introduced to eliminate the
abuses of the caucus system and were expected, through their open and public conduct of
business, to be more democratic and less amenable to control by party bosses and machines​.
Throughout the years, television conventions were broadcasted and had quite the spotlight.
Not so much now. Maybe that is because the conventions do not matter so much anymore.​ In
a recent article about why we should abolish conventions​. I agree that they are theatrical and
seem like pep rallies, but what about if you are trying to figure out which presidential
candidate you want to vote for, maybe as a voter you are trying to show support for your
party's candidate.

I don’t think that we should abolish conventions. There can be many things one can take from
a convention, whether that is an interaction they had with a fellow supporter, a speech, or
simply feeling included in a candidates team. There have been many memorable conventions
throughout the years and many memorable speeches. One including a memorable quote from
Obama.​ ​Delivering his remarks in Boston, Barack Obama famously said,“There is not a
liberal America and a conservative America, there is the United States of America.”​ By
emphasizing the common ties and values across a divided nation, Obama became, if not a
household name, a national political figure.”

As for conventions being “pep rallies,” why can we not celebrate or praise for a change?
Usually when you support a candidate, you believe in the changes or implements that
individuals will make when they are in office. That’s why you are supporting them. People
should be excited for a change or to make something better.

These conventions are a place to solve conflicts between parties, come up with ideas to
change current systems and for the American people to be heard. Since the conventions
started being broadcasted on television, they are too choreographed, scripted and dramatic, I
feel that we should not abolish something that was placed into politics for a reason. News can
also be dramatic and too scripted. Although many conventions are more successful than
others, I believe that they do make a difference in the voters' eye, the candidates' success and
gives voters a place to be heard. Next time, a political convention is being held, keep an open
mind about why this was started in the first place and why you are attending.