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Poll: Are Political Conventions Necessary When Nominees Are Known?

Democrats follow Republicans with their three-day show of solidarity and massive media spotlight.

Nobody doubted that the Republicans would nominate Mitt Romney for president, and certainly the Democrats weren't going to dump Barack Obama as their standard-bearer. So why are national political conventions needed when states have expressed their preferences, and the numbers add up to one candidate or another? Are conventions anything more being massive promotional events where delegates listen to speeches that blast the other side?

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Michael Ecklund September 5, 2012 at 03:37 pm
They need the convention to tell you all the lies they will do for us.
Ed Sorrels September 5, 2012 at 07:26 pm
LOL ! It is not as simple as that Mike, The convention is a form of payment that the partys use to reward the rank and file folks that walk the precints and do the local office work, The take them somewhere and wine and dine them and all is well till the next election. Back To the Question of are they needed, other than What I outlined above A RESOUNDING NO, Right along with the Damn Electoral Coillege, With the present state of science trhere is absoilutely no reason that we shouldnt have direct voting, as with the electoral vote the popular votre can be overturned as was after the Florida election and electoral vote that put bush in office,
Komfort September 5, 2012 at 08:05 pm
Without the convention we would never know that the grandson of a bank vice-president pulled his coffee table out of a dumpster.
" .he was the guy whose proudest possession was a coffee table he'd found in a dumpster, and whose only pair of decent shoes was half a size too small." http://www.npr.org/2012/09/04/160578836/transcript-michelle-obamas-convention-speech I would have to check with Da Moose, but I think Obama's decision-making had more to do with "Choom" than socioeconomic forces. http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/politics/2012/05/obama-and-his-pot-smoking-choom-gang/
Michael Ecklund September 5, 2012 at 10:03 pm
@Ed Sorrels.............Thank you for your comment.
alexpinca September 6, 2012 at 03:04 am
I completely agree that the electoral college should be discontinued but it will never happen...as I understand it, it would take an amendment and there is no way the small states (pop. wise) will ever agree...under the present system, they have a disproportionate weight in the election. They won't ever give that up.
dee duthie September 6, 2012 at 02:25 pm
Did he get the shoes from the dumpster too?
He is much too smart to BUY the wrong size.
Ed Sorrels September 6, 2012 at 03:39 pm
Another little thing I didn't think of in last post, It gives them (The Party's) a chance to schmooze the 4th estate, Used to spell that 4th estate with a capital 'E" but they have shown these last several years that they are not deserving of the capital treatment
Kay Kardian-Porter September 6, 2012 at 03:58 pm
Maybe if he would of gotton a real job he might have been able to buy a coffee table and a pair of shoes..He never had a real job.
Beeswax September 6, 2012 at 06:08 pm
The convention is a good way for each party's candidate to get the initial word out on what plans they have for the presidency and to outline the policies and platforms that they will be talking about during the campaign.
Rick September 7, 2012 at 03:23 pm
The convention is necessary in theory and philosophy. It serves a huge purpose in our democracy. The fact that it's been twisted into a circus for the major parties is a sign of our times and hopefully only lasts for one more generation as politicians realize that people need more than rhetoric, sales pitches and half-truths to run a country. However, I can't stand how both parties use tax-payer dollars for these grandiose,over-exaggerated, royal parties.
V. Scheurich September 9, 2012 at 12:47 pm
Senator Feinstein "afraid" to debate opponent! Why? Will her failures be then exposed? It is obvious isn't it? Either she debates the issues or it is time for her to become unemployed. Without debate, Marxism takes its place.
http://dancingczars.wordpress.com/2012/09/09/ca-dem-senator-feinstein-walks-out-of-tv-interview-over-question-about-why-she-wont-debate-opponent/
Mary September 11, 2012 at 02:41 pm
@V. Scheurich - Since your are from Woonsocket, RI Patch, why are you so concerned with California elections? Do you troll the Patch spewing your rightwing fear mongering? You have also gone after Democrats in Wisconsin. Get a life.
Things I Learned September 11, 2012 at 02:48 pm
All politics is local.
Kevin George September 11, 2012 at 02:53 pm
Why would you think the membership of the Senate is not a State or local issue?
He can't vote against her, but she certainly has an effect on his life through the Federal government..
Mary September 11, 2012 at 03:10 pm
I do believe who we send to represent us in the US Senate, is a State and local issue. I wouldn't presume to tell the people of Rhode Island who would best represent them.
Note Article
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Share something with your neighbors. Write a new post... What's up? Make an announcement, speak your mind, or sell something
Komfort June 16, 2013 at 05:34 pm
http://www.cbs8.com/story/22605287/firefighters-battling-brush-fire-in-tierrasanta
Steven Bartholow (Editor) June 16, 2013 at 06:10 pm
Komfort June 16, 2013 at 06:14 pm
Thanks Steven!
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Steven Bartholow (Editor) June 10, 2013 at 03:20 pm
I've gotten no updates lately. I'll check with some folks at the council meeting this week.
Matthew T. Saadeh June 10, 2013 at 07:32 pm
That'd be great, thanks so much Steven!
Komfort June 15, 2013 at 05:43 pm
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Mary June 16, 2013 at 07:35 pm
Komfort - Read the following link:Read More http://oceanside-camppendleton.patch.com/groups/editors-picks/p/energy-officials-ask-san-diegans-to-become-your-own-nuclear-plant. Guess you missed it, but I doubt WE will ever have an intelligent conversation on the subject since you think solar and peaker plants go hand in hand.
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