Many say conventions are outdated, but GOP activists still think party got a boost

[alp227]

For all the talk of party conventions as defining moments in presidential campaigns, the one that wrapped up Thursday night in Tampa underscored the degree to which they have become an outdated and ostentatious exercise of limited political value.

“This may be the last convention, in my opinion,” said former New Hampshire governor John Sununu, a prominent surrogate for GOP nominee Mitt Romney and an informal adviser to his campaign, who was participating in his seventh. “It cost a lot of money. When all the numbers are in, this will be the $100 million convention. There’s a lot of good I could do with $100 million.”

Sununu’s prediction of the demise of an electoral tradition is probably overstated, and a reaffirmation of his reputation for cantakerousness. But the sentiment behind it — that conventions are straining the limits of their usefulness — is widely shared, and GOP leaders including House Speaker John A. Boehner (Ohio) said the party might do well to follow the Democrats’ lead and scale their event back to three days.

Modern-day conventions come months after a party has made up its mind on a nominee. The real business is to give a boost to that candidate, and to spruce up a party’s image for the election.

full: http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/many-say-conventions-are-outdated-but-gop-activists-still-think-party-got-a-boost/2012/08/30/e9d0e868-f2b9-11e1-a612-3cfc842a6d89_singlePage.html

[cyclezealot]

1. The mainstream media gives these conventions little airspace.

Polls show most Americans still get their news from the Mainstream media. eg.. ABC, CBS, NBC. .
Still. likely Faux news likely stirs their base. Other than Faux news addicts and those who are in the know and watch , MSNBC; I'd vote the conventions are a minor factor. The mainstream media only gives the conventions like 6 hours of total coverage.
I'd vote what can effect the outcome , the debates.. that's the biggie.