As the Democrats start their convention today with the Republicans following next week, here are a few links of interest. A comprehensive site from Poynter Online detailing convention histories from 1856 to the present can be accessed here; it is a very informative site with many great links. The New York Times presents historical coverage for 1896-1996 with selected contemporary articles. Believe it or not, the “How Stuff Works” site has also has their own take on conventions. And do not forget this Infoplease entry. Statistical profiles of the hosting cities, Denver and St. Paul, are available from the Census Bureau. Television has played a role at the conventions since 1948, and an overview is accessible from the Musuem of Broadcast Communication. Other useful sites include: Campaign Finance Institute; Federal Election Commission; Pew Research Center for the People and the Press; Pew Internet and American Life Project; and SourceWatch.
