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National Political Conventions; Any real purpose?
Topic Started: Aug 30 2004, 08:07 AM (186 Views)
Colo_Crawdad
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Lowell
It looks like that in the month of October, our novice Public Forum debaters (that's a relatively new competitive debate event) will be arguing the resolution, "National political conventions serve an important purpose. Since competitive debaters must defend both sides of a resolution, we think it will be a good learning experience for high school students. Now my question. I'm having trouble thinking of arguments to defend the pro side, given what seems to be occurring with conventions in the recent past and present. Any suggestions?
"WE HAVE MET THE ENEMY AND HE IS US." --- Pogo
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sylley2000
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Sylvia, Grand Bend ON
What a coincidence … here are links about national conventions. The first one asks, "What purpose did they originally serve and what purposes do they serve now?"

http://www.thisnation.com/question/038.html

"Today, conventions perform the following functions:

1. Formally nominate the president and vice president.
2. Serve as the party's highest policy-making organ
3. Adopt a party platform."

Followed by this link:

http://people.howstuffworks.com/political-convention4.htm

states, "Today, presidential primaries have made the conventions unnecessary for practical purposes. They exist primarily as a marketing tool and a political pep rally, where each party puts on a well-choreographed show." That statement is followed by links to other information about conventions.

Siting both links seemed like a balanced thing to do! :D

Sylvia
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Colo_Crawdad
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Lowell
Sylvia,

Thank you so very much!
"WE HAVE MET THE ENEMY AND HE IS US." --- Pogo
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olstuf
Bill
I fortunately will have to recuse myself from debate pro or con on any convention debate. There is no way I could express my true feelings with violating forum rules on profanity. :angry:
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Colo_Crawdad
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Lowell
olstuf,

From reading many of your prior posts, I think that your comments would be supportive of the negative side of the resolution. I think I've got that pretty well covered. Now if we can just get the kids to do some real research for themselves. . .. At least I can give them a little direction for both sides.

Thanks again,

Lowell
"WE HAVE MET THE ENEMY AND HE IS US." --- Pogo
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cmoehle
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Chris - San Antonio TX
Along the lines Sylvia points out, conventions serve the purpose of buidling--mostly by inclusion, some by exclusion--party unity and thereby keeping the base in place and hoping to attract the middle.
Politics is the art of achieving the maximum amount of freedom for individuals that is consistent with the maintenance of social order.
--Barry Goldwater
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sylley2000
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Sylvia, Grand Bend ON
I don't watch a lot of TV, but I did hear some of the speakers from the DNC. Several of the them were quite good and one or two were outstanding and I did manage to catch a glimpse of them.

Not sure I have the initials correct, but I'll probably listen to some from the RNC (Republican National Convention) too.

Betcha there are a lot of people that tune in who otherwise wouldn't hear or see politicians give a speech (other than the debates--think most people watch them?)

Sylvia
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olstuf
Bill
Okay <_< , Conventions in my lifetime have been for show and I truly doubt that many decisions were made by the delegates. It used to be "smoke filled rooms" where these platforms, VP candidate, and in some cases, the presidential candidate were developed. So in that respect, the purpose for conventions haven't changed much in 60 or so years. Now, it is more for the big lobbys to influence a few and an excuse to party. I would do away with them. On the reverse side of the debate, it gives a few the opportunity to mix with others, exchange ideas, meet the candidates and feel they are contributing to the future of the country. A nationalistic revival so to speak. Raise our hopes. Euphoria reigns. (And it fills a few hours of otherwise bland television for those who watch.)
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