For the last fortnight, the political conventions have been providing their usual fare: lots of stagecraft, non-stop schmooze-control, celebrity scrutiny, “defining-moment” speeches and over-analysis fodder for pundits and partisans. The ambience is equal parts pep rally, infomercial and Rotarian reunion.
Time was when these conventions actually chose a presidential candidate. Back when smoke-filled back rooms were no mere metaphors. Now these gatherings rubber-stamp and coronate candidates.
Which explains, in part, why some of Hillary’s Harridans won’t concede. The other part is that for those women who have outsourced their identities to Hillary Clinton, this election is no longer about the party and the country – it’s about them. But enough, at least in this space, on that.
But just because the nominees have been pre-selected, platform planks pre-set and goofy hats prepared, doesn’t mean these conventions are nothing more than atavistic exercises in pomp and partisanship.
I remember chatting with Al Austin, the finance chairman of the Republican Party of Florida and Tampa’s “Mr. GOP,” at the 2000 Republican Convention in Philadelphia. Austin still found enough value in the quadrennial gatherings to attend them. He cited two main reasons.
“One of the biggest problems we have in this country is voter apathy,” said Austin. “An event like this is an opportunity to get people focused on the fact that there’s a presidential election coming up. It’s a way for voters to get aware and interested – and introduced to candidates.”
The other benefit, noted Austin, was what you’d expect from any convention – from hardware to pharmaceuticals. These are forums to reward, to share strategies and to energize the troops, those who labor in the trenches in their home counties, to go forth and, well, sell.
“It fires these folks up and generates a lot of enthusiasm for carrying the message,” underscored Austin. “If you’re a delegate, this is an honor. They feel like they’re part of something big.”