Do Political Conventions Still Matter?

Not to me... waste of time & money.

is it your money ? Do you contribute directly to one of the parties ?

Taxpayer money subsidizes the conventions. I don't know the exact amount, but it's in the tens of millions for each convention.

Over $30 million this year. I'm pretty sure it comes from that little check box on the bottom of your tax return.

It does. I always say, no, I don't want to contribute. But whatever money is spent that way is still tax money, so subsidizing the conventions contributes to the deficit, even if it's a relatively minor amount. I think I could make much better use of the $30M than either party will.

WRONG! That box can not be used for the convention - give it up libtards you guys love to tell lies and pretend someone is stealing your food stamps but its just the drugs making you have such crazy thoughts....

LOL! Settle down, big guy. I can honestly say that's the first time I've ever been accused of having liberals views on this site! If that's not what the box is for then I'm wrong. Mea Culpa and all that. I honestly thought that was what it was for. It says "Check the box at the bottom of Part I if you would like to donate $3 of your taxes to the Presidential Election Campaign Fund." So it appears you're correct.
P.S. I don't get any sort of assistance. I'm an EMT, have been for over 20 years. I work my 40 a week, I pay my taxes, I couldn't do drugs if I wanted to (random urinalysis goes with the job) although I will admit to the crazy thoughts.

that is a LIE - now go back find proof or admit that you as a deep blue liberal love to post lies that you find to be to the advantage of your socialist agenda and party goals!

You must be a liberal, making ridiculous accusations to make people think conservatives are ridiculous. I'm not even sure what you're calling a lie. There's a check box on tax forms allowing $3 of your taxes to be directed (not donated, Tracie) to the Presidential Election Campaign Fund. That fund then sends money - I'll accept Tracie's figure of $30M - to the Dems & Reps to help fund their conventions. So far, all I've done is state readily verifiable facts.

I meant the money spent on all of the crap. Sure it creates some temporary jobs, but in the long run, it doesn't seem worth it to me. Giant columns on a fancy stage aren't going to sway my vote. I don't watch the campaign ads, because I don't care for all the negative messages (towards both sides) and I'm appalled by how much money is spent by each campaign. If you want to throw your money at that, go right ahead, it's your money.

The convention is not about getting votes , its more like the annual meetings that corporations hold where employees from all over get together and share ideas and issues , its a great way for people of a political nature (those who like it ) to find like minded people to network with and discuss what issues they want to work together on ...and yes it s a lot like the Supper Bowl in many ways when it comes to attendees . If its your thing then its very exciting and something you look forward to .
I am the wrong guy to talk about jobs to ...I own a small independent TV production co. and most of the people I know make more than half of their income on those god awful TV adds (they really do suck but we have to create what the customer pays us to create no matter how bad it is) ...I am not working this year but in 04 and 06 I make almost 200K for the year because of the elections , in 05 and 07 I made just over 40K (same as this year ) so my average income is $140K but that is only based on my 2 year average and not on my every year income ...so I have friends and ex- employees who will spend their lives having high and low years and hoping for BIG election years to pay for their life styles - LOL

The Media picked the Candidates Months ago, why waste the money when the outcome is a forgone conclusion.

Only difference is the Party. Just the way the Media wanted it. It's a shame more people don't get it.

and this explains why you are still voting for Obama just like you did in 08 in what way ?

Didn't vote for Obama and won't now. Just pointing out that the Media is who is selecting the people you can vote for.

Get a clue.

there is some truth to that but it has always been true - Honest Abe was the first media con-man to use the MSM to sell the USA a false idea and other note worthy people who where nothing but MEDIA hype would include JFK ...i don't see a lot of people bitching about him having been promoted threw a MEDIA blitz and never having had any substance ! the point is not who was promoted or in the case of Mitt Romney who the media tried like hell to keep out of the election (he is in as a back lash against the MSM you know ) ...the point is to get someone in who gives a rats ass about what is good for the nation in the long run and who cares what the people want and need .
People like Ron Paul are the very worst media whores out there and they don't ever do any of the things they claim in those great speeches they give-

tell me again why they are both "the same" but you are still going to vote for Obama ??? we can see right threw you kid-

To the politicians.

This years RNC might. Depends if the Ron Paul delegates can get their message out (bring the troops home, no internet censorship, no bailouts, no NDAA, no surveillance state, reduce spending, no more debt. etc)

I don't know. Does any of it still matter?

It can be a factor....to expose what each party wants to focus on in the years ahead...or it can be meaningless over and over foolishness.... we will see....
Democrats need to defend O's record in office....showing why voters should re-elect him..
Republicans should reveal plans to bring econ back..... bring on the issues..bark

issues ? Are we even allowed to use that word in public any more .....seams to me the leaders would like to put that one on the list with the "N" word and forbid us from using it LOL

Truth. We have descended from electing learned men of reason to a money grubbing beauty pageant. We live in a culture that openly mocks lawyers, yet we keep selecting our leaders from their ranks. Politicians aren't statesmen or philosophers anymore, they're celebrity showmen. Tawdry little ringleaders of a pathetic circus meant to keep us entertained so the carnies can pick our pockets.

....as i think back i can point out that I have not voted for a hell of a lot of lawyers in my life time . But I can say that there is no such thing as a national "blue" party candidate who is every anything other than a lawyer ....if we got ride of all the lawyers today the left side of Washington would be empty / just saying ......

It is the econ stupid.... that is where the rubber meets the road...bark

you mean where the imported rubber meets the stimulus money built road ? LOL yes it is but http://cdn0.hark.com/images/0...
On TV Mitt Romney is not yet giving me something to run with ...and Obama seams to be trying to fix the economic slow down of the year 2001 by forcing Bain to reopen bankrupt union run steel plants

I attended ...second row.... Mitt's speech in Warsaw... surprise... he gave a geat speech....didn't realize he was such an outstanding speaker...his words were on target and well written.... no bs but to the point... America will recover just fine under new leaderships that Mitt has to offer... guff will not carry in 2012...bark

Yes because they are on TV.

Perhaps a little but not enough to matter, the conventions have primarily turned into booster events for the parties prearranged candidates over the last thirty to forty years.

it mattered big time in 04 when the world was introduced to a man calling himself Obama for the very first time ....he pretty much did not exist until that DNC convention . I am just saying LOL

its all very deja-vu back in the 70's another retard ran on "the Grin will win" ...in 08 I was openly pointing out that Obama may as well have been running on "The Skin will win" . LOL

Lol

They are just to assess their political strength & nothing much to it, for people in general.....

a good one can and will galvanize the base and energize the party ....have not been to a good one in years myself.

It only matters to the typical P.O.S. looking for money (endorsements).