Have been wanting to demystify #DNCConvention for folks as we head into this week, so a thread on what a DNC Convention is, who runs it, and how it works....
The #DNCConvention is run by the DNCC, the Democratic Convention Committee. This is significant -- the DNC proper is a (somewhat) separate entity from the DNCC. Why? Because the nominee is often very deeply involved in the Convention.
The DNC proper typically picks the Convention city (that happens over a year in advance, is sort of like the Olympics where cities vie for a spot in a competition of sorts). This year's "Convention city" is technically Milwaukee. #DNCConvention
This is a really hard thing for @WisDems and the City of Milwaukee, who work very hard to get ready for hundreds of thousands of people and dollars to get pumped into their city and Party which just...isn't going to happen. #DNCConvention
Kudos to @WisDems for making lemons out of lemonade, my heart really goes out to them: #DNCConvention
Once a nominee is in place, they usually appoint campaign aligned folks to run the #DNCConvention. There's lots of articles around about who those people are, just google. Those folks typically make decisions on programming, speaking spots, etc.
How does the DNCC choose how programs and speaking slots work? It's actually quite complicated -- there's what you want to do w/candidate/candidate's family/etc. There's stuff for the Party -- electeds/chairs, etc. And also, how to excited voters -- entertainment/ faves, etc.
There's also who you need to persuade, and the battleground map. Programming can also point to how the campaign/to some extent the Party is thinking about who needs shoring up and where those people live. #DNCConvention
Usually, the #DNCConvention is like, 8 hours of programming in the room, multiple hours of prime time, and probably hundreds of ancillary events -- happy hours, breakfasts, church services, protests, art exhibits, etc.
So all of the allied groups, candidates, electeds, State Parties, donors, celebrities, everyone is getting their moment (or moments) in lots of different ways. That's helpful, because there's a lot of people who want in on #DNCConvention.
The TV networks also have a lot of say how #DNCConvention goes. If they don't like what's in primetime, they can just...not cover it. So there's a lot of cooks in this kitchen, with lots of different goals.
The DNCC is also typically funded by an...interesting mix of folks, and the concerns of the host city come into play here. In North Carolina, for instance, BofA, universities, biotech are huge employers. Local concerns also taken into account. #DNCConvention
The goal of #DNCConvention is actually quite specific: nominate the Democratic ticket. But there's typically also a persuasion element, rewards for Party and nominee loyalists, and ideally, a bump in the polls.
It's also, not for nothing, typically a huge fundraising moment. And that money is key to moving into registration deadlines, early vote, etc with nice cushion of cash on hand. #DNCConvention
There's an added element on this #DNCConvention that is worth noting -- the Democrats go before the Republicans this year, which means they are trying not to do anything the Rs will use as red meat next week, and also don't have the benefit of using it as contrast.
Time is a huge factor in this year's #DNCConvention. You would typically see a former president, for instance, get probably 45 mins of time. This year those types are getting 3 mins. What can they accomplish in that amount of time is a big thing I'm watching for this week.
Traditionally, the #DNCConvention is also a place where they launch rising stars. It doesn't always work out, but when it does, it's a big moment. See: Sen Obama 2004, Mayor Julian Castro, 2012.
There's also usually a few #DNCConvention moments that take on a life of their own, either because of the unique absurdity or the genuine emotion. One of the all-time great examples: American heroes Khizr and Ghazala Khan.
To answer some questions folks have, from my point of view:
Why are Republicans speaking? Signal that the Biden team thinks that independents and Republicans are part of their path to victory - this is a persuasion element. #DNCConvention
Why are Republicans speaking? Signal that the Biden team thinks that independents and Republicans are part of their path to victory - this is a persuasion element. #DNCConvention
Why isn't <INSERT FAVE HERE> speaking?
They are either not sufficiently party loyal, not sufficiently well known, not representative of a key group, not sufficiently Biden loyal, considered a loose cannon, a victim of time constraints, or some/all of these. #DNCConvention
They are either not sufficiently party loyal, not sufficiently well known, not representative of a key group, not sufficiently Biden loyal, considered a loose cannon, a victim of time constraints, or some/all of these. #DNCConvention
Why is <INSERT VILLAN HERE> speaking?
Political favor, motivates key group, genuinely friends w/ Biden/Harris + speaks with enthusiasm about them, big name who attracts eyeballs, genuinely incredible story that represents something important, some/all of these. #DNCConvention
Political favor, motivates key group, genuinely friends w/ Biden/Harris + speaks with enthusiasm about them, big name who attracts eyeballs, genuinely incredible story that represents something important, some/all of these. #DNCConvention
My favorite, favorite part of convention is the roll call vote. It's a beautiful tradition, it's a moment of real pride and unity, and some of the silliest/craziest/most beautiful things happen there. Complete can't miss moment. #DNConvention
