Political conventions more show than substance

746 views · Published 17 July 2008 · 4:22 · Indexed 20 September 2026

Channel: Purdue University · 2008 · News & Politics

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Both the Democratic and Republican national conventions have more to do with the parties' image than the delegates' preferences for president, says a Purdue University political scientist.

"The conventions are like greeting cards to Americans from their political parties," says James McCann, professor of political science. "There was a time and place when conventions really did matter in candidate selection. Think back to the days of the so-called 'smoke-filled backrooms' where a group of party elites would decide whom to nominate. But that has not been true in our lifetimes.
http://news.uns.purdue.edu/x/2008b/080714TG12-McCannConventi.html

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