University of Virginia Center for Politics
SELECTING A PRESIDENT PART 2:
The Party Nominating Convention
Purpose: Though arguably less important than in decades past, the party nominating convention
officially launches the fall presidential campaign. In the second of two lesson plans
highlighting the presidential selection process, students will investigate the role and purpose
of presidential party nominating convention. This lesson may be used as a stand alone plan
or in conjunction with Selecting a President Part 1: Primaries and Caucuses.
Objectives:
1. Students will evaluate the role, purpose, and rules of party nominating conventions.
2. Students will analyze political cartoons.
3. Students will simulate a third party nominating conventions.
4. Students will interpret and analyze a song lyric.
5. Students will analyze party convention speeches.
6. Students will compare and contrast the major party platforms.
Key Words:
nominating convention
party platform
plank
delegate
proportional system
winner-take-all system
pledged delegates
superdelegates
brokered convention
keynote address
acceptance address
Materials:
1. Student handout and Teacher Key: Characteristics of a Convention
2. Overhead or handout: Road to the White House
3. Student handout: Presidential Nominating Convention: The Nuts & Bolts graphic organizer and
teacher key
4. Overhead or handout: Political Cartoons
5. Student handout and Teacher Key: Don’t Stop music lyrics
Procedures:
1. Warm-up: “What’s a Convention? “
a. Briefly review the Stages of Presidential Selection – Pass out and/or project via overhead
Road to the White House. Briefly review the four stages involved in the presidential
selection process.
b. Pass out the Characteristics of a Convention handout and ask students to write down several
characteristics of a convention.
c. Next, students should record their own definitions of a convention.
d. Then create a class definition for “convention.”
e. NOTE: See teacher key for sample answers.
f. Synthesis question: In what ways are political conventions similar and different from other
conventions?
2. What’s a Nominating Convention: The Nuts and Bolts – This activity immerses students in
the terms, purposes and processes culminating in the party’s national convention.
a. Pass out the Presidential Nominating Conventions: The Nuts and Bolts graphic organizer.
b. Project via PowerPoint Selecting a President: Nominating Conventions.
NOTE: Teachers may also choose to go over this material quickly in a class discussion using
the Presidential Nominating Conventions: The Nuts and Bolts teacher key.
3. Analyzing Political Cartoons - Project via overhead or pass out the party nominating
convention political cartoons, and have students address the discussion questions in small
groups.
1. Describe what’s going on in the political cartoon (Who? What? When? Where?)
2. Identify any symbols (ex: an elephant to represent the Republican Party) portrayed in the
cartoon and analyze what they represent.
3. What is the artist’s message in the cartoon? What do you think is its purpose?
4. Do you agree or disagree with the cartoonist's message? Explain your answer.
5. What light does this cartoon shed on party nominating conventions?
4. Making Connections: A Third Party Nominating Convention Simulation – In this role play
activity, students will simulate a national party nominating convention.
a. Pass out the simulation directions, Making Connections: A Third Party Nominating
Convention.
b. Go over the directions for the convention, and begin the simulation. The simulation should
last approximately one class period, but teachers adapt the length and breadth of the role play
to suit the needs of their particular classes.
5. School of Rock: “Don’t Stop” – Explain to students that Bill Clinton and the Democratic
Party’s 1992 Theme Song Pass out the lyrics to “Don’t Stop,” the Fleetwood Mac song chosen
by Bill Clinton as his campaign theme song in 1992. After listening to the song, ask students to
respond to the following questions:
a. Using specific lyrics from the song as well as what you know of the 1992 presidential
election, identify several things Bill Clinton is trying to get across to voters.
b. What demographic groups is the Clinton campaign trying to appeal to by choosing this
Fleetwood Mac song?
c. What campaign song would you choose for Barack Obama, Democratic candidate for
President in 2008? Why? What song would you pick for John McCain, the Republican
candidate? Why?
d. Do you think using theme songs is an effective campaign tool? Why or why not?
Extension Activities:
1. Convention Speech Scorecard - This activity requires students to critically analyze nominating
convention speeches. Teachers could easily incorporate third party convention speeches and/or
party platforms into this activity.
a. Pass out the Convention Speech Scorecard student handout [you may want to give students
two or more scorecards].
b. Ask students to watch and evaluate one or more convention speeches. Then have them score
the speech based on the criteria on the scorecard.
2. Party Platform WebQuest – In this activity, students must research the major planks of the
Democratic and Republican platforms. Teachers may choose to add third party platforms to this
activity as well.
a. Pass out the Party Platform Comparison directions and graphic organizer. Students may
research party platforms individually or in teams.
b. WebQuest Activity- Have students go online to compare and contrast the platforms of the
two major parties. Online Resources:
http://www.democrats.org - Official website of the national Democratic Party
http://www.gop.com - Official website of the national Republican Party
http://www.ontheissues.org - A nonpartisan website that provides candidates stands on
issues as well as party platforms
c. Questions for discussion – After students have completed the WebQuest activity, address the
questions below.
Identify and describe several platform issues (planks) in which both parties’ stands are
very similar.
Identify and describe several areas where the two parties offer very different stands on
the same issue.
To what extent do you think the party’s platform reflects the values and beliefs of the
presidential nominee from that party?
3. The West Wing Season 6 Finale: “2162 Votes” - This episode of The West Wing is set at the
Democratic Convention and illuminates the behind-the-scenes “horse trading” of a brokered
convention. The West Wing on DVD for all seasons can be found online at places like
www.amazon.com.
Episode Synopsis: WHO WILL BE THE DEMOCRATIC PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE? –
It’s the Democratic National Convention and the race to become the Democratic
Presidential candidate has narrowed to three candidates: Russell, Baker, and Santos. Also,
Bartlet must wrestle with the decision to launch the super-secret defense shuttle to rescue the
astronauts trapped at the space station and risk national security or let them die.
4. Nominating Conventions: Past and present – This activity allows students investigate the
issues and controversies of past nominating conventions as a basis for comparing those today.
a. Possible Case Studies: 1968 Democratic Convention, 1976 Republican convention
b. Online Resources:
http://www.americanrhetoric.com/speechbank.htm
http://www.poynter.org/column.asp?id=49&aid=68171
http://www.youtube.com
5. The Daily Show: Indecision 2004 DVD – Jon Stewart and The Daily Show crew hilariously
covered the 2004 presidential election with great satirical segments on the Democratic and
Republican National Conventions. Zell Miller’s keynote address at GOP Convention, and
appearance on Chris Matthew’s show Hardball was particularly enlightening.
The Presidential Selection Process
Step 1:
Step 2:
National Democratic Convention
August, 2008 - Denver, CO
Caucuses & Primaries
January-June, 2008
Nominating Conventions
Republican National Convention
September, 2008 – St. Paul, MN
Step 3: General Election
November, 2008
Step 4:
Electoral College Vote
December, 2008
Student Handout
CONVENTION
1.
Definition of convention – _________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
2.
Examples: ______________________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Teacher Key
Meeting or
formal
assembly
Attended by
representatives
or delegates
Individuals
meet at a prearranged place
and time
CONVENTION
Delegates may
create/vote on
important
matters
Attendees share
common
interest or issue
Often held in
large cities with
3.
Definition of convention – a meeting or formal assembly, as of representatives or delegates, for discussion of and action on particular matters of common concern.
4.
Examples: North American International Auto Show, MacWorld Conference, Star Trek Convention, Constitutional Convention (1787), Seneca Falls Convention
(1848), Democratic and Republican Party National Conventions
Student Handout
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Term
Nominating
Convention
Party Platform
Plank
Delegate
Proportional
System
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Definition
Examples
(If applicable)
Term
Definition
Winner-take-all
System
Pledged
Delegates
•
Superdelegates
Brokered
Convention
Keynote Address
Acceptance
Address
Examples
Student Handout
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Term
•
Nominating
Convention
Examples
(If applicable)
Definition
•
An assembly held by political parties
every four years
Usually held in late summer before the
general election in November
The Democratic and Republican
parties hold nominating
conventions as do third parties
[ex: Green Party, Libertarian
Party]
A statement of principles and objectives a
political party and a candidate supports in
order to win the general election.
•
2004 Democratic Platform:
“Strong at Home, Respected
in the World”
2004 Republican Party
Platform: “A Safer World
and a More Hopeful
America“
Individual topics in a party’s platform
•
•
abortion
war in Iraq
•
Party Platform
Plank
Delegate
Proportional
System
A voting representative to the party
nominating convention
Candidates are allocated the same
percentage of a state’s delegates as they
received in popular votes
Primary system used by the
Democratic Party
Term
Winner-take-all
System
Definition
The winner of the popular vote in that state
receives all that state’s delegates
•
•
Pledged
Delegates
•
•
Superdelegates
•
•
Brokered
Convention
•
Examples
System used in most Republican
primaries
Each state allotted certain number of
delegates who vote at the party’s
convention
Pledged delegates are chosen at state &
local level
Pledged delegates are required to cast a
vote at the convention based on the
results of the primary or caucus in their
state
Members of the Democratic Party
establishment who serve as unpledged
delegates at the party convention
They are free to vote for any candidate
at the convention
Include members of Congress,
governors, and members of
D.N.C. (ex: DNC chairman
Howard Dean)
A situation in which no one candidate
in a political party has received enough
delegates in the primaries and caucuses
to obtain a majority
After the first ballot at the party’s
convention, nominee decided through
horse-trading and further ballots
•
•
•
Keynote Address
The speech given at the convention that
embodies that party’s core message
•
Acceptance
Address
•
The speech given at the final day of the
convention in which the winning
candidate formally accepts the party’s
nomination for president
The Acceptance Address is always
televised by the major networks
•
Thomas Dewey (R) in 1948
and Adlai Stevenson (D) in
1952 last two candidates
selected through brokered
conventions
FDR (D) in 1932 last
candidate to win general
election after brokered
convention
Senator Barrack Obama gave
the 2004 DNC Keynote
Address
Democrat Zell Miller
delivered the 2004 RNC
Keynote Address
1960 presidential candidates John
F. Kennedy and Richard M.
Nixon deliver their Acceptance
Addresses at their party’s national
convention
Title: 1920 Republican Convention
Artist: Petar Pismestrovic, Kleine Zeitung, Austria
Date: February 2, 2005
Today candidates secure their party’s nomination during the primaries, but in
1920 there was no clear nominee going into the Republican Convention.
Source: http://www.politicalcartoons.com
1. Describe what’s going on in the political cartoon (Who? What? When? Where?)
2. Identify any symbols (ex: an elephant to represent the Republican Party) portrayed in the
cartoon and analyze what they represent.
3. What is the artist’s message in the cartoon? What do you think is its purpose?
4. Do you agree or disagree with the cartoonist's message? Explain your answer.
5. What light does this cartoon shed on party nominating conventions?
Title: Schwarzenegger Rocks Republican Convention
By Patrick Chappatte, The International Herald Tribune 09/21/2004
http://www.politicalcartoons.com/
1. Describe what’s going on in the political cartoon (Who? What? When? Where?)
2. Identify any symbols (ex: an elephant to represent the Republican Party) portrayed in the
cartoon and analyze what they represent.
3. What is the artist’s message in the cartoon? What do you think is its purpose?
4. Do you agree or disagree with the cartoonist's message? Explain your answer.
5. What light does this cartoon shed on party nominating conventions?
Title: 2008 -- The Final Three
By Paresh Nath, National Herald, New Delhi, India 3/17/08
http://cagle.msnbc.com
1. Describe what’s going on in the political cartoon (Who? What? When? Where?)
2. Identify any symbols (ex: an elephant to represent the Republican Party) portrayed in the
cartoon and analyze what they represent.
3. What is the artist’s message in the cartoon? What do you think is its purpose?
4. Do you agree or disagree with the cartoonist's message? Explain your answer.
5. What light does this cartoon shed on party nominating conventions?
Title: Superdelegates
By John Trever, The Albuquerque Journal 03/30/2008
http://www.politicalcartoons.com/
1. Describe what’s going on in the political cartoon (Who? What? When? Where?)
2. Identify any symbols (ex: an elephant to represent the Republican Party) portrayed in the
cartoon and analyze what they represent.
3. What is the artist’s message in the cartoon? What do you think is its purpose?
4. Why do you think the Democratic Party has superdelegates as well as pledged delegates voting
for the nominee at the convention? Identify pluses and minuses of this party rule.
5. What are some advantages and disadvantages of What light does this cartoon shed on party
nominating conventions?
Student Handout
A Third Party Nominating Convention
Simulation Situation: This simulation takes place during a presidential election cycle; the year could
be 2008 or some presidential election in the future. The class will create a hypothetical third party, and
stage a national party convention to select a presidential nominee, and nail down a party platform. All
members of the class will role play delegates at the convention.
Simulation:
Stage 1: Pre-convention Work
a) The class should brainstorm and vote on a name for the third party.
b) The class should agree that the party will represent a particular political ideology (which
may be reflected in its name).
Stage 2: Electing President and Vice-Presidential Nominees
a) The class selects a party chairperson who will call the convention to order, recognize
members to speak, establishes party rules at the convention, and calls when necessary.
b) At least two candidates should run for the party nomination for president. Each candidate
must deliver a brief speech defending their candidacy.
c) The party chair then calls for a vote for the presidential nominee. The vice-president is
chosen by the winning nominee.
Stage 3: Building the Party Platform
a) The class must create a party statement (plank) for each of the following issues:
Economy
Education
Energy and the Environment
Foreign Policy (includes global trade, immigration)
Health Care
Social Issues: Abortion, Gay Marriage
War and Peace
b) The class is divided into seven sub-committees, each assigned an issue.
c) Each sub-committee is responsible for writing the plank for that issue on a poster.
d) The sub-committees present their issue statement to the convention, and delegates then
vote to approve, amend, or defeat each plank.
e) After all planks are approved, delegates must vote on a theme or title for their party’s
platform.
Stage 4: Simulation Debriefing – full class discussion
a) Ask students what was realistic about this simulation and what was not?
b) What did you learn about political party nominating conventions by doing this simulation?
Don’t Stop
Student Handout
Recorded by the Fleetwood Mac, 1977
(written by Christie McVie)
In 1992, Presidential candidate Bill Clinton chose Don’t Stop by Fleetwood Mac to be his
campaign’s theme song. The song was played at the 1992 Democratic Convention after Clinton
accepted his party’s nomination for president.
If you wake up and don't want to smile,
If it takes just a little while,
Open your eyes and look at the day,
You'll see things in a different way.
Don't stop, thinking about tomorrow,
Don't stop, it'll soon be here,
It'll be, better than before,
Yesterday's gone, yesterday's gone.
Don't stop, thinking about tomorrow,
Don't stop, it'll soon be here,
It'll be, better than before,
Yesterday's gone, yesterday's gone.
All I want is to see you smile,
If it takes just a little while,
I know you don't believe that it's true,
I never meant any harm to you.
Why not think about times to come,
And not about the things that you've done,
If your life was bad to you,
Just think what tomorrow will do.
Don't stop, thinking about tomorrow,
Don't stop, it'll soon be here,
It'll be, better than before,
Yesterday's gone, yesterday's gone.
Don't you look back,
Don't you look back.
Questions for Discussion
1. Using specific lyrics from the song as well as what you know of the 1992 presidential election,
identify several things Bill Clinton is trying to get across to voters.
2. What demographic groups is the Clinton campaign trying to appeal to by choosing this Fleetwood
Mac song?
3. What campaign song would you choose for Barack Obama, Democratic candidate for President in
2008? Why? What song would you pick for John McCain, the Republican candidate? Why?
4. Do you think using theme songs is an effective campaign tool? Why or why not?
Don’t Stop
Teacher Key
Recorded by the Fleetwood Mac, 1977
(written by Christie McVie)
In 1992, Presidential candidate Bill Clinton chose Don’t Stop by Fleetwood Mac to be his campaign’s theme song.
The song was played at the 1992 Democratic Convention after Clinton accepted his party’s nomination for president.
If you wake up and don't want to smile,
If it takes just a little while,
Open your eyes and look at the day,
You'll see things in a different way.
Don't stop, thinking about tomorrow,
Don't stop, it'll soon be here,
It'll be, better than before,
Yesterday's gone, yesterday's gone.
Don't stop, thinking about tomorrow,
Don't stop, it'll soon be here,
It'll be, better than before,
Yesterday's gone, yesterday's gone.
All I want is to see you smile,
If it takes just a little while,
I know you don't believe that it's true,
I never meant any harm to you.
Why not think about times to come,
And not about the things that you've done,
If your life was bad to you,
Just think what tomorrow will do.
Don't stop, thinking about tomorrow,
Don't stop, it'll soon be here,
It'll be, better than before,
Yesterday's gone, yesterday's gone.
Don't you look back,
Don't you look back.
Questions for Discussion – Sample Responses
1. Using specific lyrics from the song as well as what you know of the 1992 presidential election, identify
several things Bill Clinton is trying to get across to voters.
“open your eyes and look at the day, you’ll see things in a different way” – after 12 years of
republicans in the White House, Clinton and the Democrats offer a new fresh alternative
“if your life was bad to you, just think what tomorrow will do” – if you’re struggling, especially
financially, Clinton has a plan to offer relief (“it’s the economy, stupid” ~ James Carville
“Don’t top thinking about tomorrow. . . .It’ll be better than before” – Clinton presidency offers
optimism, hope
“All I want is to see you smile. . . I never meant any harm to you” – Clinton cares[“I feel your pain”]
about the average person and pledges to help
2. What demographic groups is the Clinton campaign trying to appeal to by choosing this Fleetwood Mac
song?
young people – use rock song to come across as “hip” to young voters
Baby Boomers – Clinton is the first baby boom generation president; Fleetwood Mac is a popular
group with many in the Baby Boom generation
women a.k.a. “soccer mom’s – “Don’t Stop” has a theme of caring and compassion
3. What campaign song would you choose for Barack Obama, Democratic candidate for President in 2008?
Why? What song would you pick for John McCain, the Republican candidate? Why?
Obama Theme Songs
McCain Theme Songs
Times They Are A-Changin’, Bob Dylan
Time is on My Side, Rolling Stones
Dream On, Aerosmisth
Born in the USA, Bruce Springsteen
Peace Train, Cat Stevens
Against the Wind, Bob Seeger
4. Do you think using theme songs is an effective campaign tool? Why or why not?
Student Handout
4 = outstanding
3 = good
2 = adequate
1 = poor
0 = not included
Party:
Location:
Date:
Speaker:
Position:
Speech Type:
Rhetorical
Skills
Description
Score
Key Points
Score
Appearance
Speaking Voice
Body Language
Style
Speech Content
Social Policy
Economic Policy
Foreign Policy
Political Points
(Attack on
Opponent)
Overall Comments:
Overall
Score =
Party Platform Comparison
I. WebQuest Activity- Go online to compare and contrast the platforms of the two major parties.
Write your responses on the Party Platform Comparison graphic organizer.
Online Resources:
• http://www.democrats.org - Official website of the national Democratic Party
• http://www.gop.com - Official website of the national Republican Party
• http://www.ontheissues.org - A nonpartisan website that provides candidates stands on issues
as well as party platforms
II. Critical Thinking – After you have completed the WebQuest activity, address the questions below.
1. Identify and describe several platform issues (planks) in which both parties’ stands are very similar.
2. Identify and describe several areas where the two parties offer very different stands on the same
issue.
3. To what extent do you think the party’s platform reflects the values and beliefs of the presidential
nominee from that party?
Student Handout
Party Platform Comparison
Presidential Election Year: _________
Key Issue
Platform Theme
(Title)
Civil Rights
(Affirmative Action,
Gay Marriage)
The Economy
(Taxes, Government
Spending, Jobs)
Education
(School Choice, School
Prayer, Accountability)
Energy & the
Environment
(Oil, Alternative Fuels,
Global Warming)
Democratic Party
Republican Party
Party Platform Comparison
Key Issue
Foreign Policy
(US Role in the World,
War & Peace)
Health Care
(Costs, Coverage,
Medicaid, Medicare)
Homeland
Security
(Immigration, Intelligence
Gathering, War on
Terror)
Social Issues
(Abortion, Death Penalty,
Guns, Poverty)
Democratic Party
Republican Party