Tevi Troy writes for the Washington Post about the impact of new technology on the major political parties’ presidential nomination conventions.
Political conventions were born because of technological limitations. They have been changing ever since as technology has evolved. Initially, and for much of our history, these changes have transpired in a way that favored leading candidates and party leaders; now, and increasingly in the years to come, they may empower underdogs and grass-roots activists.
Conventions began precisely because there was no alternative to face-to-face meetings. Party leaders could not communicate quickly or easily in an era of horse-delivered missives, so they needed a gathering place to make decisions, including who would serve as the nominee. The first national party convention was held by the long-departed Anti-Masonic Party in Baltimore in September 1831.
Then change came in the form of the telegraph. Abraham Lincoln did not attend the 1860 GOP convention but stayed in touch via telegraph. He used the device to instruct aides to “make no contracts that will bind me.”
But if communications advances once gave party leaders additional leverage for control, modern technology may be taking it from them. John F. Kennedy’s convention team used walkie-talkies in 1960, but only floor managers had them. Now, ubiquitous hand-held devices allow activists to compete with party-blessed candidates.
Similarly, social media offers insurgents and party favorites alike the ability not only to gauge support but also to reach out directly to delegates to make the case for a favored candidate or cause. The upshot is that smartphones and social media may very well exacerbate floor fights, as warring party factions use their ability to connect directly with delegates to try to lure candidates to their preferred positions.
