THE CARROLL NEWS: Convention confusion?

Convention confusion?
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Max Flessner on 01 May, 2008 12:00:00
 
PRELIMINARY:
There are two preliminary tasks that need to be covered before the four-day
convention gets under way. The platform of each party for the next four years
will be determined and the Credentials Committee needs to approve which
delegations are being seated at the convention. In the recent past, this has
been a non-issue for either party’s convention, but with the controversy
in Michigan and Florida this year on the Democratic side, the Credentials
Committee may play a major role.
Days 1 & 2:
The first two days of the convention are less publicized, but still incredibly
important for the parties. Each party’s keynote speaker addresses the
convention. The parties also adopt their platforms for how they will stand on
issues for the next four years and shape the rules for the futures of both
parties.
Day 3:
The third day is when the delegates cast their votes and select a nominee for
president. Traditionally, since the 1974 election when the state primary and
caucus method of nomination were instituted, the convention has merely been a
rubber stamp for whomever the people have selected. But things could be
different in 2008.
Each state delegation will select a leader to read off how many delegates each
candidate will have won, and that will be the total number of pledged delegates
that a candidate will have. If they are not over the magic number needed to
nominate, then the superdelegates will announce whom they are voting for. The
nominee should be chosen after the first round of balloting, but if needed,
there could be another round of voting.
DAY 4:The fourth day of the convention is the biggest day for TV ratings. The
delegates first vote on a vice presidential nominee. The nominee for president
tells the convention who will be running with them on the ticket and the
delegates confirm their choice. Following the delegates voting on the VP
nominee, the presidential nominee comes out and accepts their party’s
nomination for presidency of the United States and the fourth night has the big
balloon drop.