Congress for Kids: [Elections]: National Conventions

Elections

Introduction Election Day Voting Election of the President Candidates Political Parties Primary Election National Conventions National Conventions - An Inside View Candidates at the Convention The Campaign Polling Places The Electoral College The Electoral Map The Inauguration

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How does one become a delegate at the Republican and Democratic National Conventions?

Why are national political conventions held?

What city has hosted the most national conventions?

How Political Conventions Work

National Conventions - An Inside View

Complete Convention Coverage
http://www.channelone.com/news/2008/09/18/onevote_conventions/
Have your students watch and read videos and speeches from the Democratic and GOP conventions.

Should the United States Enact a Constitutional Amendment to Prohibit Flag Burning?
http://www.landmarkcases.org/texas/webquest.html
WebQuest - Gregory Lee Johnson was arrested for burning a flag during protest outside the Republican National Convention in Texas. As a recently elected U.S. Senator, you will be asked to vote on this issue, which is very important to many of your constituents. Before voting, you must learn about the arguments on both sides and make an informed decision. Then you will vote on this issue: Should the United States enact a constitutional amendment to prohibit flag burning?

Return to Tour

In 1948, CBS first televised both party conventions. Since there were fewer than half a million TV sets in the United States at that time, coverage was limited to the Northeast region.

Projects You Can Do

Think about different styles of music and the emotions those styles evoke. Read the CNNfyi article "They're playing the Democrats' songs." Answer the following questions:

Why do Democratic National Convention planners see music as a kind of audio plank in the party platform? What types of music is played? Why do they use a diverse range of music? Why might it be important for the Democratic planners to know the political affiliation of the artists whose songs are used?

Name a few songs that you think could bring tears to someone's eyes or cause someone to jump up and applaud. Which emotions are aroused by the musical selections chosen? Do you think that the types of music selected for the convention are a statement of how inclusive the party is of different ethnic backgrounds and cultures? Why or why not? Do you think that the ages and backgrounds of U.S. voters are included in these selections? Which selections or types of music would you add or remove?

What are some of the famous songs that planners wanted to use for their opening night? Who wrote the selections? Why are these selections significant?

Research Democratic and Republican Web sites to get ideas about the parties' political platforms. Find out the focus of the parties' platforms.

Find the lyrics to a song performed live at a past Democratic or Republican convention. Rewrite the song to reflect either the Democratic or Republican political positions at that time.

Awards