# why such a long delay between conventions and general? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [June 22, 2016, 5:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-such-a-long-delay-between-conventions-and-general/758017 "2016-06-22T05:22:47Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 5\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Kedikat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ed655f/32.png) [@Kedikat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kedikat)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2016, 4:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-such-a-long-delay-between-conventions-and-general/758017/21 "2016-06-23T04:01:43Z")
> [@Rick\_Kitchen](#): > > Remember also that the conventions are held in Summer Olympics years. NBC, in particular, does not want to try to cover Olympics and a convention at the exact same time. Maybe drug testing at the conventions could spice up the coverage opportunities. ---
**Author:** ![Omar\_Little](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/omar_little/32/269_2.png) [@Omar\_Little](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omar_Little)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2016, 1:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-such-a-long-delay-between-conventions-and-general/758017/22 "2016-06-23T13:49:20Z")
I personally believe we should just cancel the presidential elections this year. Let’s not have a president for a couple of years. Take stock in who we are as a country, what we need, and then elect one in 2018. ---
**Author:** ![Peremensoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ce7236/32.png) [@Peremensoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peremensoe)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2016, 2:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-such-a-long-delay-between-conventions-and-general/758017/23 "2016-06-23T14:33:44Z")
> [@Omar\_Little](#): > > I personally believe we should just cancel the presidential elections this year. Let’s not have a president for a couple of years. Take stock in who we are as a country, what we need, and then elect one in 2018. Shut the office down until we can figure out what is going on? ---
**Author:** ![Northern\_Piper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/northern_piper/32/5304_2.png) [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2016, 2:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-such-a-long-delay-between-conventions-and-general/758017/24 "2016-06-23T14:36:51Z")
> [@Kedikat](#): > > Maybe drug testing at the conventions could spice up the coverage opportunities. Naw. They should go the other way, and be handing out some ganja and mescaline to all delegates in their registration package. Now that would be a convention to watch! ---
**Author:** ![Tim\_T-Bonham.net](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/46a35a/32.png) [@Tim\_T-Bonham.net](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tim_T-Bonham.net)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2016, 5:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-such-a-long-delay-between-conventions-and-general/758017/25 "2016-06-24T05:58:43Z")
> [@coremelt](#): > > And nowadays do personal appearances even count for much when everything is instantly available on TV and social media? Yes, they do. A local campaign visit will cause a great increase in coverage in local media coverage. Plus the candidate takes time for interviews with influential local writers, and ‘exclusive’ interviews sitting with the anchor person or each local TV station – the station reshows that frequently to push their ‘access’, and each reshowing is publicity for the candidate. It energizes the local volunteers (who will also work on Congressional & local candidates for the party). It also energizes the local candidates for those offices, and gives them a chance for pictures with the Presidential candidate for their campaign literature. It causes a big jump in campaign fundraising. Lots of small donations from masses of people who come to the public rallies. They don’t often show it on TV, but the organizers always pass the hat for donations at those rallies – much of the time waiting for the candidate is filled with speeches asking for contributions. Some even sell ‘tickets’ so everyone pays to get in to the event. And almost always there are special receptions & parties for the local ‘big-buck’ donors; small groups where you get to be in the same room as the candidate, maybe speak to them for 30-60 seconds, and take a picture with them. Often several levels, and very specific prices for admission: $25,000+ in contributions for the 50-person event at Joe Blow’s mansion; $15,000 for the 100-person event at the hotel penthouse room; $5000 for the 1000-person dinner in the hotel ballroom, then off to the big rally at the stadium. Those smaller events raise a lot of money. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-such-a-long-delay-between-conventions-and-general/758017.md?page=1)