United States presidential nominating convention

In the United States, a presidential nominating convention is held by each political party before a presidential election. They are held every four years, in the summer. At the convention, delegates (people who are selected to vote) choose the party's candidates for president and vice president. They also agree on the party's platform, a document that says the party's goals. Since 1972, the delegates have mostly been selected by primary elections in each state.

United States Presidential Nominating Convention Media

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  The 1876 Democratic National Convention at the Merchants Exchange Building in St. Louis, Missouri. Samuel J. Tilden and Thomas A. Hendricks were nominated for president and vice president respectively

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  The 2008 Green Party National Convention held in Chicago. Various third parties also hold their own national conventions.

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  The Louisiana Superdome in New Orleans was the site of the 1988 Republican National Convention, which nominated George H.W. Bush and Dan Quayle for president and vice president. In recent decades, the two major parties have held their conventions at sports stadiums and arenas.

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  Roll call of states during the 2008 Democratic National Convention at the Pepsi Center in Denver, Colorado.

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  The floor of the 2008 Republican National Convention at the Xcel Energy Center in Saint Paul, Minnesota.

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  First Lady Pat Nixon being honored at the 1972 Republican National Convention.

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  Michelle Obama speaking at the 2008 Democratic National Convention.

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  Barack Obama and Joe Biden appear together at the 2008 Democratic National Convention.

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  Primary foes Ronald Reagan (left) and Gerald Ford (right) shake hands during the 1976 Republican National Convention, the last major party convention whose outcome was in doubt.

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  News anchor Ted Koppel (pictured in 2002), who midway through the 1996 Republican National Convention told viewers that he was going home because it has become "more of an infomercial than a news event."