Remember back when the conventions were actually to select the party's ticket? Earliest I can remember was 1960. If my memory is correct, Kennedy and LBJ were both presidential candidates. The convention selected Kennedy as the presidential candidate and LBJ as vice president. The convention also set the platform of the party. What are conventions for now? How have they evolved? When did they stop selecting the candidates at the convention? Are conventions still needed? Let's discuss conventions in general, not party or candidate (non political).