A Convention Blast from the Past

A recent article from the NY Times pointed out the interesting twists a GOP contested convention will create.  The first contested convention in a long time will uproot some of the modern election practices that have favored analytical, quantitative and social media skills.  The interpersonal and persuasion skills of old and battle-tested politicians will be highly valued in Cleveland, probably more so than the skills of a Nate Silver or young campaign manager.

Political campaigns are often viewed as a young person’s game, especially in an era in which digitally savvy, data-fixated strategists track the behavior of millions of voters nationwide and target them with increasing sophistication and precision.

But this year, as Republicans face the prospect of a contested convention, the party is turning to its oldest hands, who learned how to fight over delegates using walkie-talkies, loose-leaf notebooks and quick-footed young pages.

Interestingly, GOPers from the 1976 GOP Convention are being brought back into the political sphere to help this year's candidates.  Stuart Spencer, an 89 year old who courted delegates for Ford in 1976, was recruited to help the Kasich campaign.  Paul Manafort, who also worked for Ford in 76, is the top convention strategist for Trump.  Charlie Black, a Reagan convention operator, is helping Kasich on the floor. 

While big data, social media and younger people have become powerful forces in election politics, old-school techniques are not insignificant and may determine this year's GOP nominee.  

http://www.nytimes.com/2016/04/19/us/politics/potential-gop-convention-fight-puts-older-hands-in-sudden-demand.html?_r=0