The 2008 Democratic Convention

[Mr_King]

I just found out the 2008 DNC will be from August 25, - August 28, 2008. Why is it so late this time around? I mean the Repunks will get to have their convention last which means they will probably have their's in late September (closer to the election then it was in 2004).

I think the convention should be held in mid July like it was in 1992.

[BlueIris]

1. Ah, '92. The first convention I remember.

My family was painting our back patio, listening to the speeches on the radio. That's the last time our family was solidly Democratic. Sigh.

Seriously, though, it's not going to matter much. The GOP could purchase lap dances to every undecided voter in America and they'll still lose next time around. Trust me on this.

[Zen Democrat]

2. It's about the federal election money.

Once the candidate is nominated he/she cannot spend any money raised during the primary season. So the Dem candidate would have to start dipping into the federal allotment during a period that the Repugs were spending primary money and conserving their federal cash.

[Mr_King]

5. I forgot about that...

I guess having it late is for the best then. I don't see the Republicans getting much of a bounce after their convention after looking at their field on canidates.

[Rainscents]

3. This last one was way too early. I think it's better to have it later.

[Crazy Guggenheim]

4. They should try to have it the week before the Repub Convention.

:popcorn:

[NJ Democrats]

6. It is because of the money.

After the Convention who can't use the cash you raised for the Primaries. It is when you get the federal money.

[DemDogs]

7. Olympics

8-24 August 2008

[Penndems]

8. The political party of a sitting President always holds their convention

first.

The GOP will hold their convention in July, followed by the Dems in August.

[UrbScotty]

10. The last few elections, it's been the other way around

Did you mean to say the incumbent party's convention is usually last?

[Penndems]

11. Thank you - YES, IHTGOP, you are absolutely right

I stand corrected. What was I thinking? :shrug:

Oh, yeah - I had a flashback to the '96 Democratic Convention in Chicago. Ah, those were the good ole days!

[skipos]

9. Why is the republican convention 2nd in 08? Why was it 2nd in 04?

How is this decided?

[Ignacio Upton]

12. Parties aren't required to have their convention at a specific time

Democrats are likely having it late in 2008 because in 2004, when they had it at the end of July, they ended up at a disadvantage in federal election money. The FEC gives out federal funds to both nominees in exchange for them suspending most donating operations. By having their convention first (which is what the party out of power has historically done....example, the Republicans had their '00 convention in late July in the reverse of '04) Kerry had to save money and do a blackout for much of August. Now, during this time, the Swiftboat Veterans came onto the air and started running ads against him. Kerry's eventual response forced him to spend some of his own money to fight them off. Meanwhile, Bush was also able to spend freely and still raise money for a full month after Kerry stopped. The Democrats are trying to end this disparity by having their convention as late as possible.

[karynnj]

13. Because having it early was a huge disadvantage

An unintented consequence of the campaign finance law is that you use your General Election money from the convention to the election. Kerry had to spend GE money for 13 weeks vs Bush's 8 weeks (numbers may be slightly off.) Even though Kerry raised a huge amount during the primaries he legally couldn't spend it. (Much was given to the party and other candidates.)

This put Kerry in the position of not being able to spend a large amount in August to counter the SBVT without putting himself at a major disadvantage in Oct/Nov. McCAuliffe made this this decision.

[lanah]

14. a convention of by and for the democrats

you know what would be really nice? If our democratic convention wasn't just a big show, and the people of the democratic party could actually talk and create our platform together.

The last convention was totally controlled, no one was allowed to talk about the war. It was Kerry's convention. I think the convention should belong to the people of the democratic party.