When have the VP tickets usually been announced? Convention?

[Mayberry Machiavelli]

It would seem that there is a strategic disadvantage in doing so early because it lets the enemy smear machine have more research and "oppo" time. Although if the Veep was one of the chief rivals from the primaries that would seem to be less of an issue since they've already had a lot of exposure.

Any notable historical examples where picking and announcing the Veep happened way early, that really helped or hurt? I can't remember when Gore officially became the Veep candidate in '92...

[Mayberry Machiavelli]

1. kick?

[Yupster]

2. Traditionally

it has been held in suspense until the convention. In fact, it wasn't that long ago when the convention actually picked the VP candidate.

In 1980, Reagan and Ford were negotiating for the VP slot during the convention.

Only very recently have the VP candidates been announced a few days or weeks before the conventions.

This has coincided with the conventions having less and less importance as the parties want to have all the decisions made ahead of time so the TV networks won't be able to report confrontations in their convention coverage.

Today, a convention delegate is nothing more than a cheering crowd. Thity years ago, delegates actually had the ability to vote on party platform planks and nominees. Today it's all decided ahead of time. Too bad in my opinion.

[ThomWV]

3. 2nd Night Of The Convention

As I recall traditionall its been the second night of the convention.