NP Mock Political Convention

January 5th and 6th (Tues / Wed)

What is a political Convention?• Week-long meeting of party delegates from

around the country chosen by each states’ party leaders.

• Democratic Convention – Week of July 25th in Philadelphia

• Republican Convention – Week of July 18 in Cleveland

What do they do at the conventions?

• Platform creation – official list (planks) of what the party stands for. NP - DAY 1

What do they do at the conventions?

• Officially nominate their candidate ( and running mate) on the last day NP - DAY 2

What do they do at the conventions?

• Officially nominate their candidate ( and running mate) on the last day NP - DAY 2

• The politics …– “Favorite sons”– “What are you going to do for us?”

What do they do at the conventions?

• Present their party to America

Celebrities

future candidates

What do they do at the conventions?

• Fire up their members! (votes, $, work)

Why have it at the end of summer?

• Candidates have had time to decide to run, raise money, gauge their support

• State primaries are finished

Why have it at the end of summer?

• Candidates have had time to decide to run, raise money, gauge their support

• State primaries are finished• Gives the party two whole months to

campaign & raise money before the national election in November

What is the timeline of this presidential election process?

• Summer, 2015 – candidates officially announce that they are running (strategy)

• Fall, 2015 – candidates travel around to get their message out and raise money. Parties also organize debates. Candidates drop

• Winter/Spring, 2016 – states have their primaries• July, 2016 – Conventions• Aug, Sept, Oct, 2016 – Campaigns and Debates• Nov. 8, 2016 – Presidential election