Page "Democratic National Convention" Paragraph 10

The nature of Democratic ( and Republican ) conventions has changed considerably since 1972.

Every 4 years, the nominees are essentially selected earlier and earlier in the year, so the conventions now officially ratify the nominees instead of choose them.

( Even the close race of 2008, which was not decided until early June, did not change the modern function of the convention ).

The 1980 convention was the last convention for the Democrats that had even a sliver of doubt about who the nominee would be.

( Ted Kennedy forced a failing vote to free delegates from their commitment to vote for Jimmy Carter ).

The 1976 convention was the last where the vice-presidential nominee was announced during the convention, after the presidential nominee was chosen.

( Carter choosing Walter Mondale ).

After the " ugly " conventions of 1968 and 1972, the parties realized it was in their interests to show a unified party to the nation during the convention, and to try to eliminate any dissent.

And as the conventions became less interesting, and television ratings have generally declined ( as they have on average for all television shows ), the networks have cut back their coverage significantly, which in turn has forced the parties to manage what is televised even more closely.