What Impact Do Political Conventions Have?

It’s convention season.

Republicans are wrapping theirs up in Cleveland.

Democrats meet next week in Philadelphia.

But do these conventions make much of a difference at the polls?

An expert says political conventions no longer serve their original purpose.

They still have meaning, but local voters don’t seem to be paying that much attention.
 
Political conventions used to be where delegates voted on their candidate.

Now, primaries take care of that.

So what’s the point now?

NDSU Political Science Professor Dr. Nicholas Bauroth chimes in.
 
He explains, “What they are now is a way, sort of rallying support, rallying the party members to make sure that they’re all behind the candidate.”
 
But are people listening to the Republicans to get that rallying message?
 
“I haven’t been paying a whole lot of attention,” says voter Austin Elizondo of Fargo.
 
Voter Alissa Allery of Fargo says, “Enough to be very discouraged.”
 
Those who are listening have seen one controversy after another.

From Melania Trump allegedly plagiarizing Michelle Obama, to Ted Cruz refusing to endorse Donald Trump.

“You know that movie Idiocracy,” asks Allery, “It’s reminiscent of that for me.”
 
Even people who don’t know who they’re gonna vote for this November say four days of political speeches and squabbles isn’t the best way for them to find the ideal candidate.
 
“I would rather read about them than seeing people booed off stage,” admits voter Sadie Lascelles of Fargo.
 
As for whether or not the conventions will give either Trump or Democrat Hillary Clinton a boost, Dr. Bauroth says you can’t figure that out just yet.
 
He explains that conventions usually give candidates a three to four point boost in the polls.

We should find out if Donald Trump will benefit from that bump in about a week.