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A Typical Day at the Convention

A typical day in the life of a delegate or alternate at a National Convention begins with a state delegation breakfast meeting. At this meeting, delegates will hear from their state's prominent Democratic leaders, as well as from special guests including national political figures and campaign surrogates. Delegates and alternates will also receive their credentials for that day's Convention proceedings at breakfast.
At past Conventions, following their breakfast sessions, delegates attended caucus meetings and/or training sessions.
The Convention proceedings usually begin in mid-to-late afternoon each day, though no official schedule has been set thus far for Denver.
DNC Chairman Governor Howard Dean acts as the Temporary Chair of the 2008 Convention and will call the Convention to order on Monday. The first item of formal business for the Convention to act on is the report of the Credentials Committee, which will resolve all questions concerning the seating of delegates. The second item of business is the report of the Rules Committee. Among its many responsibilities, the Rules Committee will recommend the permanent Convention officers, including the Permanent Convention Chair. Following approval of the Rules Committee report by Convention delegates, it is presumed that Speaker Nancy Pelosi will take the gavel as the Permanent Convention Chair. At past Conventions, the keynote address has typically been on Monday evenings.
The Tuesday of the Convention has generally featured debate and discussion of the Party's proposed National Platform.
In the past, the Wednesday of the Convention kicked off the Party's formal presidential nominating process with nominating and seconding speeches for presidential candidates being given. The alphabetical roll call of states and territories by the Convention Secretary is a memorable feature of past Wednesday nights. Sometimes the Party's presumptive vice presidential candidate will also speak on Wednesday.
The final day of the Convention - Thursday - features the nomination of the vice presidential candidate. The Convention concludes with the acceptance speech of the Party's presidential nominee.

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