How Conventions Shape American Politics

From The New Yorker’s archive: a selection of pieces about the role of political Conventions in America. View in browser | Update your preferences Conventional Wisdom The nominating Conventions are over. But, before the memories of the Democratic roll call and Kimberly Guilfoyle’s dulcet shouts from the podium fade from memory, we’re bringing you a selection of pieces about the role of political Conventions in America. In “How to Steal an Election,” Jill Lepore explores the complex, chaotic history of party Conventions and describes the turbulent nature of earlier political assemblies. In “Hot and Heated,” A. J. Liebling writes about the Conventions of 1948 and contemplates the nomination of Harry Truman for President. In “Conventional Wisdom,” Steve Coll examines the purpose of Conventions in the modern era. In “Verbage,” from 2008, James Wood chronicles the evolution of political rhetoric and its role in that year’s Presidential campaign. Finally, in “Joe Biden, America’s Un-Trump,” Susan B. Glasser describes the optimistic tone of this year’s Democratic Convention and considers the unvarnished nature of Joe Biden’s acceptance speech. Read and enjoy, sort of. The homestretch to November begins. As if you were not quite anxious enough. —David Remnick From The New Yorker’s Archive American Chronicles How to Steal an Election The crazy history of nominating Conventions. By Jill Lepore | July 4, 2016 The Wayward Press Hot and Heated Predicting the Dewey vs. Truman Conventions—and their press coverage. By A. J. Liebling | August 14, 1948 Comment Conventional Wisdom Do our Presidential Conventions retain any authenticity? By Steve Coll | September 17, 2012 Critic’s Notebook Verbage The Republican war on words. By James Wood | October 13, 2008 Letter from Trump’s Washington Joe Biden, America’s Un-Trump For the Democratic nominee, the 2020 election has always been all about the President. By Susan B. Glasser | August 21, 2020 Newsletters Sign Up for The New Yorker’s Books & Fiction Newsletter Book recommendations, fiction, poetry, and dispatches from the world of literature, twice a week. This e-mail was sent to you by The New Yorker. To insure delivery, we recommend adding newyorker@newsletters.newyorker.com, to your contacts, while noting that it is a no-reply address. Please send all newsletter feedback to tnyinbox@newyorker.com. For more from The New Yorker, sign up for our newsletters, shop the store, and sign in to newyorker.com, where subscribers always have unlimited access. Contact us with questions. View our Privacy Policy Unsubscribe Copyright © Condé Nast 2020. One World Trade Center, New York, NY 10007. All rights reserved.