Democratic National Convention - Mid-term Conventions

Mid-term Conventions

In addition to the well-known presidential nominating conventions, the Democrats have held three mid-term conventions in recent decades: In 1974 in Kansas City, in 1978 in Memphis, and in 1982 in Philadelphia. The mid-term conventions were held to create enthusiasm and rally the party faithful. The mid-term convention was begun in 1974, after the fiasco of the 1972 Democratic National Convention, which saw the presidential nominee, George S. McGovern, accepting the nomination at 3:00 a.m., and which was followed by an electoral disaster, in which the party's candidates received only the electoral votes of Massachusetts and the District of Columbia, and was intended to reorganize the party structure and get it back on track for future elections. The mid-term convention was held in 1978 and in 1982, but they were discontinued due to the cost, and the over-emphasis of campaigning by potential presidential candidates.