I have to pretty much agree. Before the convention, we know who is running, their issues, and the VP choice. Its pretty much an excuse to party and celebrate. The election process for a President is way too long now a days. Between a year and 2 is way to long to hear about either McCain or Obama, or anyone else for that matter. They should announce 6 months ahead, have 2 months for primaries, and 4 months for National Republicans vs. Democrats. Then we can have 3.5 years of things getting done in Washington. Yeah, I know, dream on.

I've always felt they were totally unnecessary, primarily because there is nothing in the Constitution that requires them.  The millions of corporate sponsor dollars spent on these media circus events should be spent researching candidates and reporting the truth about them to the voters!    

I think that this election will teach us a valuable lesson about allowing the mainstream media to turn the selection of our President and Commander in Chief into a popularity contest.  The way I see it,  no matter who wins this year's election, there are going to be problems that our country will have to resolve.        

Their hasn't been a convention with drama since 1976..Of course back then not every state did have primaries  so if it was close  you  never  knew who they party bosses  would choose  from the states without primaries.  With all states now having primaries its pointless.

While it is true that in recent decades the winning candidates have been picked prior to the conventions, this has not and will not always be true. Just look at the Obama/Clinton race. A few changes and the Dems would have gone to the convention with no candidate having the needed number of delegates. In such a case the candidate would have to be selected at a convention. Another consideration, which party would be the first to give up all the publicity.

I'm of the opinion that we should put today's technology to use in elections, all elections.  I think the results would be more accurate and at a fraction of the current cost.