
<p>In the last quarter of the Twentieth Century, we have seen a remarkable change in the nature of the national political conventions.</p>



<p>Younger folks may be surprised to learn that up until the 1970s, the political nominating conventions were events of great suspense. ; We did not always know who the party standard bearers would be until the floor vote was taken. ; There were often several contenders – each possessing a significant portion of the delegate vote count.</p>



<p>In addition to the major wannabes, three were “favorite son” candidates – usually a governor or senator whose only purpose in running for president was to pocket his state’s delegates as convention bargaining chips.</p>



<p>It would often take several votes before a winner emerged – and it was not always the front runner on the first balloting. ; Occasionally, it would be a “dark horse” who was not seen as a serious contender at the onset of the convention. ; In 1924, delegates voted 103 times over 16 days before Congressman and Ku Klux Klan member John Davis was chosen as the Democrat standard bearer. ; The influence of the KKK was so great in the Democratic Party that the convention came to be known as the “klanbake.” ;</p>



<p>In terms of vice presidential candidates, the public had no idea who would be chosen by the winner of the presidential contest. ; And the eventual selection of both the presidential and vice presidential candidates was determined by wheeling and dealing in the proverbial “smoke filled rooms.” ; There was virtually no showbiz-style entertainment.</p>



<p>The history of political conventions is noteworthy in understanding what we have today. ; They are no longer nominating conventions, but rather public relations extravaganzas for the already selected standard bearer – a dog and pony show. ; While party conventions once served an essential purpose, we could actually do away with them today.</p>



<p>Democrats put on a better show than the Republicans this year – although the GOP convention was successful in it own right. ; No longer involved in the selection of the candidates, the political parties use the convention to showcase the party and promote their candidates. ; Ii is pure Hollywood – more so with Democrats who have more support in Tinseltown. ; Hollywood producers and directors are often brought into craft the convention – and entertainment personalities are a key future. ; They are there for box-office appeal.</p>



<p>This year’s Democrat convention was more pomp than circumstance. It was more of a reality show than ever &#8212; and less of a political nominating convention. The most speculation centered on whether Oprah or Beyoncé would show up.</p>



<p>There were no surprises as to outcomes. The entire convention was carefully drafted to avoid any unanticipated activities. The themes – “not going back.” “Republicans are weird,” “The Republic is at risk” and “Democrats love America.” Other than socialist Senator Bernie Sanders&#8217; litany of radical left wing proposals, there was very little addressing of issues. Only empty pledge gifts under the tree for every constituency. Taboo subjects – immigration, crime, inflation and Harris’ past record – were notable by their absence.</p>



<p>(Incidentally, there was a moment of Irony in Sanders doing his usual rant against billionaires immediately followed by billionaire Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, who mocked Trump claiming to be a billionaire by proudly announcing that HE (Pritzker) is a real billionaire.</p>



<p>Even the roll call was an unnecessary charade. ; Delegates had nominated Harris in a virtual roll call earlier in the month. ; That is why they called what happened at the convention a “celebratory roll call” – pure theater with little meaning procedurally.</p>



<p>The entire convention was geared to one thing – to win over voters and improve polling numbers through imagery – lots of sizzle, but no beef.  ;The Democrat convention was platitudes over policy</p>



<p>The greater emphasis was on defining Harris and Walz. For Harris it was more a matter of redefining Speaker after speaker gave high praise to her personality, character and general experience – but little attention to her stand on issues. In view of her own avoidance of press conferences, interviews and public statements since she emerged as the pre-emptive Democrat nominee, her only known record is of the things she said and did in the past – the things she hopes to erase from the public conscience. She has already flipped on such issues as fracking and Medicare for all.</p>



<p>Walz came to the convention as a clean slate in terms of public image. But he does have a record as a 12-year member of Congress and a term as Governor of Minnesota. Like Harris, the convention was scripted to focus on Walz the person – avoiding any talk of his far left record. According to the shapeshifters, Walz is just good ole “coach.” It is a redux of the Lunch Bucket Joe Biden myth – although Walz had a longer earlier career in private life than Biden. But with more than 16 years in high public office, he is hardly a political outsider,</p>



<p>The only person who delved deep into the issues was Sanders, His speech was the tiresome repetition of his far left socialist platform &#8212; Medicare for all (ending all private health insurance), corporate tax increases (which consumers will ultimately pay), Public campaign financing (handing control of election to the bureaucracy) and a minimum LIVING wage (a lot higher than others have proposed), increase teacher wages (which is a local issue) – among other things. Nothing so specific from Harris, Walz or the other scripted performed on the political stage.</p>



<p>The Democratic convention was what it was – a happy-face cheerleading event with little issue information. It was more of a coronation ceremony than a political nomination. As they say out west &#8230; all hat and no cowboy (or cowgirl in this case).</p>



<p>(The Harris acceptance speech will be covered in a subsequent commentary).</p>



<p>So, there ‘tis.</p>

Democrats put on a great show … with emphasis on “show”
