Help - Politcs/Republican convention

[Kadumi]

The wonderful department of financial aid fucked up my paperwork so I had a schedule block and couldn't get in class to actually get the assignment in time to watch the convention. So here's the questions I'm supposed to answer. I know that some of you guys watched it and if ya could shed some light, I'd greatly appreciate it.



Questions

1. What is the objective of political conventions? How do parties achieve their political objectives at conventions?


2. What were some of the themes of the Republican convention?


3. In your opinion, do you think the Republicans were successful in achieving their political objectives at their recent convention? Briefly explain why or why not?

[Edited on 9-10-2004 by Kadumi]

[Nakiro]

Short answer essay?

[DeV]

Looks like it.

[Back]

Originally posted by Kadumi
Questions

1. What is the objective of political conventions? How do parties achieve their political objectives at conventions?

The two main conventions are for nominating the parties candidates for president. In today’s world of information at your finger-tips, its something of a foregone conclusion who that nominee will be, but back in the days of the pony express, it was probably a pretty big deal. Now it seems more like carrying on tradition and getting together with people involved to party it up on campaign money.

It gives not only the candidates a platform to speak about their stances on issues, but also allows others in the party to consolidate and speak about the partys views.

Also, these days, its big money in goods and services for the cities they are held in.


2. What were some of the themes of the Republican convention?

I did not watch all of it, but I did read and hear about it. Mostly it was about how Kerry sucks. I wonder if anyone has counted the number of times Kerry’s name was mentioned at both conventions to see who said his name more often.

The next big issue was how great Bush has handled everything.


3. In your opinion, do you think the Republicans were successful in achieving their political objectives at their recent convention? Briefly explain why or why not?

Yes, I think the Republicans were successful in trashing Kerry, and glossing over the incumbents faults. Polls have shown since that Bush had a slight increase after the convention, and now, Kerry is slipping a bit.

The Democrats were successful as well. After that convention, Kerry gained a couple of poll points... in fact, maybe Hulk can answer this, the gains from both were almost equal. Around 2% gain for Kerry with Bush slipping slightly after the Dem convention.

What is interesting to note about this particular election season is that the Dem convention did not outright slam Bush like the Repubs slammed Kerry.

These are my uneducated observations, in any case.

[edits because I’m tired]

[Edited on 9-10-2004 by Backlash]

[Hulkein]

Here's some info for the bounces.

The DNC went from 7/26 to 7/29. Here are many polls from both a few days before, and a few days afterward the DNC.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v423/dawkins/dnc.jpg

The RNC went from 8/30 to 9/2. Here again are polls from a few days before, during, and after the RNC.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v423/dawkins/rnc.jpg

Good luck.

[Edited on 9-10-2004 by Hulkein]

[Hulkein]

Oh, and incase anyone else likes following polls, I got all of them from - http://realclearpolitics.com/bush_vs_kerry.html

[Kadumi]

Backlash and Hulkein, if we ever meet all your beers are on me. Thanks guys.

[Kadumi]

also

backlash, I'm trying so hard to not let the purple hippo be a testament against your credibility :bouncy:

[Parkbandit]

Originally posted by Backlash

What is interesting to note about this particular election season is that the Dem convention did not outright slam Bush like the Repubs slammed Kerry.


I find it funny that Democrats keep bringing this up. Do you really believe Kerry and company are above negative politics?

It was a political strategy to purposely not bash Bush in hopes that they would be seen as the "better" party and stay above the fray. Their hope was that this would give them a bigger bounce out of the convention than what is traditional. This strategy didn't work as they had hoped and now it's business as usual with them slamming Bush.

[Back]

Originally posted by Parkbandit
I find it funny that Democrats keep bringing this up. Do you really believe Kerry and company are above negative politics?

It was a political strategy to purposely not bash Bush in hopes that they would be seen as the "better" party and stay above the fray. Their hope was that this would give them a bigger bounce out of the convention than what is traditional. This strategy didn't work as they had hoped and now it's business as usual with them slamming Bush.

The Dems are way above the crap the GOP pulls. Been that way for a looooong time now. Just because you want to fight dirty, dosen’t mean everyone has to.

[Parkbandit]

Originally posted by Backlash
The Dems are way above the crap the GOP pulls. Been that way for a looooong time now. Just because you want to fight dirty, dosen’t mean everyone has to.

I realize that Republicans bash their rivals.. but the fact that you actually believe your party is above that fray makes your opinion worth squat as it's clearly not based upon facts or reality.

PS - If you really believe that, you may wish to tell the Democratic leaders that they should stop trying to prove Bush missed a couple of days of duty in the reserves 30 years ago. Also, you should sever ties to groups like Moveon.org and denounce their negative ads. You may also advise Kerry to turn down his new negative campaign and concentrate more on what he plans to do instead of simply saying "Bush is doing everything wrong and I plan on doing everything right"

[HarmNone]

Heh. Thanks for the summary of the Republican Convention, Backlash. I knew I wasn't missing anything, and flossing my cat WAS important! :smilegrin:

HarmNone, healthy teeth makes a healthy cat

[Wezas]

Originally posted by Parkbandit
PS - If you really believe that, you may wish to tell the Democratic leaders that they should stop trying to prove Bush missed a couple of days of duty in the reserves 30 years ago.

Missing a couple days of duty vs. going AWOL for a few months. Big difference. Not that I'm confirming that he was AWOL, but I support the investigation.

[Back]

Originally posted by Parkbandit

Originally posted by Backlash
The Dems are way above the crap the GOP pulls. Been that way for a looooong time now. Just because you want to fight dirty, dosen’t mean everyone has to.

I realize that Republicans bash their rivals.. but the fact that you actually believe your party is above that fray makes your opinion worth squat as it's clearly not based upon facts or reality.

PS - If you really believe that, you may wish to tell the Democratic leaders that they should stop trying to prove Bush missed a couple of days of duty in the reserves 30 years ago. Also, you should sever ties to groups like Moveon.org and denounce their negative ads. You may also advise Kerry to turn down his new negative campaign and concentrate more on what he plans to do instead of simply saying "Bush is doing everything wrong and I plan on doing everything right"

It’s just a personal opinion on how its done, PB. I don’t see criticizing an administration with facts as bad as smearing someones character with conjectures and misleading statements. Republicans are better at the later, granted.

Lets take your example of military service. Kerry’s records have been released for a long time now and we are still uncovering Bush's to this day. Look at the factual differences between the two.

I’ve said in the past that Dems need to be more aggressive, and now they are finally getting to it. With more facts than distortions.

[Back]

Oh, another thing I just noticed, PB. Your sig is like the GOP site. More pics of the other guy than your actual candidate. What does that say? I dunno. But people are seeing Kerry’s face more than Bush’s thanks to you. Good work!

[CrystalTears]

Both parties talk badly of each other and play dirty. Tell us something we don't know. However saying that Dems do it less is really, really, really funny.

[DeV]

Originally posted by CrystalTears
Both parties talk badly of each other and play dirty. Tell us something we don't know. However saying that Dems do it less is really, really, really funny. And sort of true. Maybe it's the fact that the Republicans do it better.

[Prestius]

Here's the Repub Convention in a nutshell:

"Vote for us or something bad will happen."

Here's the Demo Convention in a nutshell:

"A bunch of bad stuff happened when the other guys were on watch, vote for us"

-P