Exam)
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Question 38 (1 ?point)
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Modern-day national party nominating conventions are generally
a) ?longer and considerably more exciting
b) ?essentially the same as in the founders’ day
c) ?more unpredictable than in previous years
d) ?a rubber stamp for the victor of the primaries
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The correct answer and explanation is:
The correct answer is:
d) a rubber stamp for the victor of the primaries
Explanation:
Modern-day national party nominating conventions have evolved significantly from their original form, which was more central to the nomination process in early American history. Today, conventions are much more of a ceremonial and procedural event rather than a platform for selecting the party’s presidential candidate. Here’s why option d) is the most accurate:
- The Role of Primaries and Caucuses: In the past, conventions were where party delegates gathered to choose the presidential candidate. However, since the establishment of primaries and caucuses, the public and party members have a much more direct role in determining the nominee. By the time the national convention takes place, the winner of the primary races has generally secured enough delegates to ensure their nomination. Thus, the convention itself has become a formality—essentially a “rubber stamp” for the candidate who has already won the majority of delegate support.
- The Evolution of Conventions: In the early days of American politics, conventions were vital, sometimes contentious, and often uncertain events, where candidates were still being selected and negotiated. This was especially true in the first 150 years of the U.S. political system, when the convention could be a dramatic, unpredictable process. However, as the role of primaries and caucuses expanded during the 20th century (notably after the 1968 Democratic National Convention), delegates became more aligned with the primary outcomes, and conventions became less about making a decision and more about affirming the party’s choice.
- Modern Conventions: Today, conventions are often televised events full of speeches, pageantry, and celebrations. The nomination of the candidate is essentially a formality because the results of the primaries have already made the outcome clear. This is why modern conventions are often described as a “rubber stamp”—they confirm the will of the electorate as expressed in the primaries and do not involve significant surprises.
Thus, the national party nominating conventions are no longer the unpredictable, high-stakes events they once were. They have become a symbolic endorsement of the candidate who has already emerged victorious in the primary process.