Godfrey Hodgson on US Party Conventions

On Open Democracy, Godfrey Hodgson has an interesting article reminding us of the funnier and more unusual instances that have taken place and the Democratic and Republican party conferences, both of which are taking place shortly. He also comments on the changing role, or more accurately the changing selection processes, regarding the Vice-Presidential nominees.

The Veepstakes (just look at any blog or news site on US politics at the moment) perhaps serve more of a role to give political pundits a focus before the conventions than providing a purposeful analysis on the impact of a VP pick. It's convenient for column inches to think that they make a massive difference, and in such an unusual election as this there may be some credence to such a view, but it's such a basket of speculation. We can analyse, dismiss and guess until the annoucement is made and the speculation can stop and we can hear the few pundits who were correct sing their own praises. Then in a week, we remember why VP picks don't matter. Compare the coverage of the Veepstakes with the attention payed to the VP debate, and it's clear to see that such obsession is more due to a pre-convention, pre-debate, pre-Labour day lull than a feeling that such a process is that significant.