The nature of Democratic ( and Republican ) conventions has changed considerably since 1972 . Every 4 years , the nominees are essentially selected earlier and earlier in the year , so the conventions now officially ratify the nominees instead of choose them . ( Even the close race of 2008 , which was not decided until early June , did not change the modern function of the convention ) . The 1980 convention was the last convention for the Democrats that had even a sliver of doubt about who the nominee would be . ( Ted Kennedy forced a failing vote to free delegates from their commitment to vote for Jimmy Carter ) . The 1976 convention was the last where the vice-presidential nominee was announced during the convention , after the presidential nominee was chosen . ( Carter choosing Walter Mondale . ) After the " ugly " conventions of 1968 and 1972 , the parties realized it was in their interests to show a unified party to the nation during the convention , and to try to eliminate any dissent . And as the conventions became less interesting , and television ratings have generally declined ( as they have on average for all television shows ) , the networks have cut back their coverage significantly , which in turn has forced the parties to manage what is televised even more closely
1980 convention
1980 Democratic National Convention
Democratic National Convention