How a candidate is placed in nomination

With the heated claims about whether the DNC/Howard Dean might prevent Clinton's name from being placed in nomination, it's time to review some basic rules that will be followed at the convention.

A name is placed in nomination if there are

  1. signatures from 300 delegates
   2. those delegates have to be geographically representative
   3. the nominee signs off on being placed in nomination

NONE of that is up to Howard Dean -- it's up to delegates and a candidate.

Do those agitating about Clinton's name being placed in nomination have 300 delegates on a nominating petition, from the different areas, and Senator Clinton's signature?

That's what you need.  If you do have that, Clinton's name will be in nomination. If not, it won't.  

And keep in mind that delegates can vote for whoever they want on the roll call - the person doesn't have to be placed in nomination. Delegates have voted for all sorts of folks.  



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Re: How a candidate is placed in nomination (2.00 / 1)

Well, let's just try to avoid the debacle of 1924, nine days, 103 ballots and a loser nominee:


Democrats weary of this year's comparatively drawn-out presidential nominating process might take comfort in recalling the marathon Democratic National Convention of 1924, at more than two weeks the longest in American history.

Two strong candidates - former Treasury Secretary William McAdoo and New York Gov. Al Smith - arrived at New York's Madison Square Garden matched neck-and-neck.

In those days, the party required a two-thirds vote to gain the presidential nomination, so the delegates plodded through 103 ballots before nominating Wall Street lawyer John W. Davis, who went on to be crushed in the general election by incumbent President Coolidge.

At one point in the ordeal, a Massachusetts delegate reportedly suggested that "we must either switch to another candidate or find a cheaper hotel."

Austin American-Statesman 11 May 2008


by Shaun Appleby on Thu Jul 17, 2008 at 11:51:52 PM EST

Only Democrats (1.66 / 3)

awesome story.


by catfish2 on Fri Jul 18, 2008 at 12:34:18 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: How a candidate is placed in nomination (none / 0)

I don't think too many people are agitating that her name should be placed in the roll call for the nomination.

I don't really know the purpose that serves .


Educated in a small town Taught to fear Jesus in a small town Used to daydream in that small town Another born romantic that's me.
by lori on Fri Jul 18, 2008 at 12:44:53 AM EST

Re: How a candidate is placed in nomination (2.00 / 1)

There's a symbolic purpose to this.  I don't think we have any clue about what Obama, Dean, and Clinton think about all of this (and all we're getting are the prattlings of people who also don't have a clue).

When the votes of the electoral college are counted in Congress everyone knows what the outcome of the election will be.  Doesn't mean this shouldn't be done.


by IncognitoErgoSum on Fri Jul 18, 2008 at 01:31:13 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: How a candidate is placed in nomination (none / 0)

The purpose is to embarass Obama. Or at least htey think it will. Or at least they have wet dreams about it embarassing Obama.

I'm not sure it will. Why would it? It'll be a great celebration of Hillary's candidacy.


by Lance Bryce on Fri Jul 18, 2008 at 10:01:17 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: How a candidate is placed in nomination (none / 0)

Normally when a candidate is past the point of endorsing another candidate, that candidate's name is NOT placed in nomination.  

The nomination process at the convention involves active candidates, not ones who are working on behalf of another candidate.

But of course any delegate could still choose to vote for any one they wish.  And that happens at every convention; usually it's votes for one's state's governor, a beloved family member, or a primary candidate.


We care about politics because we know politics matters for people's lives and opportunities.
by politicsmatters on Fri Jul 18, 2008 at 09:29:02 AM EST

One quibble--it's the CANDIDATE's (none / 0)

signature, not the nominee's signature.  


by Geekesque on Fri Jul 18, 2008 at 09:41:57 AM EST

Re: One quibble--it's the CANDIDATE's (none / 0)

Good point!


We care about politics because we know politics matters for people's lives and opportunities.
by politicsmatters on Fri Jul 18, 2008 at 10:01:35 AM EST
[ Parent ]


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