In 1948, the Republican and Democratic national conventions took place in Philadelphia, where they shared resources like flags and bunting due to financial reasons. Conventions used to be more informal and focused on selecting presidential nominees through bare-knuckled showdowns. Nowadays, conventions are meticulously planned events aiming to display party unity and are made for TV.
Democrats are preparing for their convention in Chicago after President Joe Biden withdrew from his reelection bid. Vice President Kamala Harris is now at the top of the Democratic ticket, with the party quickly rallying around her. Similarly, the GOP displayed strong unity in nominating former President Donald Trump during their recent convention in Milwaukee.
Despite the highly choreographed nature of modern conventions, surprising moments can still occur. For example, at the 2022 Republican convention, Trump made a dramatic entrance just days after surviving an assassination attempt and delivered a speech filled with a mix of optimistic and divisive rhetoric. Additionally, notable moments from past conventions include Clint Eastwood’s speech to an empty chair in 2012 and Al Gore’s prolonged kiss with his wife during his 2000 nomination acceptance speech.
Historically, conventions have seen events like the first woman on a major presidential ticket announced by Walter Mondale in 1984, involving Geraldine Ferraro. John McCain’s choice of Sarah Palin in 2008 and Hillary Clinton becoming the first female major-party presidential nominee in 2016 were also significant moments. Furthermore, conventions sometimes witnessed fierce opposition to the incumbent, like Reagan challenging Ford in 1976 and Ted Kennedy contesting Carter in 1980.
Instances of chaos at conventions, such as the 1968 Democratic convention in Chicago, where Vice President Hubert Humphrey secured the nomination amid massive antiwar protests, demonstrate the turbulent history of political gatherings. The upcoming Democratic convention in Chicago faces potential protests over Biden administration’s support for Israel, raising concerns of a repeat of past unrest.
In conclusion, conventions have evolved from collaborative events to highly orchestrated shows of party solidarity. While scripted, they still hold the potential for unexpected developments and moments of political drama.