The Rise and Fall – and Potential rebirth – of the Democratic Midterm Convention
For decades, the idea of a “midterm convention” has lingered in the periphery of American political strategy, largely dismissed as a relic of a bygone era. Yet,as the political landscape fractures and attention becomes the ultimate currency,a renewed look at these gatherings reveals a potentially potent tool for both Democrats and Republicans. This analysis delves into the history of these conventions, their past failures, and why, in today’s hyper-polarized environment, they might just be worth another try.
A History of Division: The 1970s Experiments
The 1970s were a turbulent time for the Democratic Party. Emerging from the Vietnam War and grappling with a shifting electorate, the party found itself deeply fractured. In an attempt to address these internal divisions, the Democratic National Committee (DNC) experimented with “midterm conventions” – gatherings held after congressional elections, intended to forge a unifying message and chart a course forward.
The first, held in Kansas City in 1975, and the second, in Memphis in 1977, proved largely unsuccessful. While intended to heal wounds, they often exacerbated existing tensions. The Memphis convention, in particular, became a stage for internal conflict.
The most impactful moment wasn’t a unifying call to action, but a blistering critique of President Jimmy Carter’s centrist policies delivered by massachusetts Senator ted Kennedy. Kennedy, still mourning the loss of his brothers, passionately defended customary liberal ideals, warning that the party risked self-destruction by abandoning the legacies of Franklin Roosevelt and Lyndon Johnson. As he famously cautioned, “The party that tore itself apart over Vietnam in the 1960s cannot afford to tear itself apart today over budget cuts in basic social programs.” (You can find a record of this pivotal speech here: https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/politics/1978/12/10/kennedy-warns-of-a-party-split-by-arms-outlays/d4836609-3245-4a4d-b028-63a214f1a940/).
Beyond Kennedy’s challenge to carter, the Memphis convention was notable for who wasn’t ther. A important number of prominent Democrats declined to attend, a fact lamented by DNC staffer Elaine Kamarck, who described the “turndown list” as a “Who’s Who of American politics” (as reported by Time magazine: https://content.time.com/time/subscriber/article/0,33009,916517-2,00.html).
These conventions ultimately failed to bridge the Democratic divide. Kennedy’s attacks weakened Carter heading into the 1980 election, and the conservative movement continued to gain momentum, culminating in Ronald Reagan‘s election to the presidency. The practice of holding midterm conventions faded into obscurity, with a final attempt in Philadelphia in 1982 yielding little impact (https://www.nytimes.com/1982/06/26/us/democrats-strive-for-accord-at-convention-in-philadelphia.html).
Why the Past Doesn’t Predict the Future: The Modern Political Landscape
The midterm conventions of the 1970s were fundamentally different from what’s being considered today. Then, the goal was post-election reconciliation, attempting to unify a fractured party after the votes were cast.The proposed modern approach envisions a pre-election event,designed to energize voters and showcase party leadership.
This shift in timing is crucial. Today’s political environment is characterized by intense polarization, meaning the internal divisions within parties are