Republican and Democratic National Conventions nominated Mitt Romney and Barack Obama, respectively, to be their party’s presidential nominee for the upcoming November election.  The Republican Convention was held in Tampa Bay, Fla., from Aug. 27 – 30, and the Democratic Convention was held in Charlotte, N.C., from Sept. 4-6.

The “Los Angeles Times” reported, “In a rare moment of actual convention drama, Democratic officials reinserted language back into their official platform Wednesday evening that invokes God and affirms the role of Jerusalem as the Israeli capital.”

The Democratic National Convention opened with a stir of unrest from its own members when it was decided to put the platform to a revote. Antonio Villaraigosa put it to a vocal vote. But, when an even number of people agreeing and declining was heard, he put the motion to a revote for a total of three times. It was eventually passed, but with near equal opposition and support from inside the Party itself.

The Platform that the Democrats agreed to includes: immigration reform, equal rights for gay marriage, preservation of Roe v. Wade and middle class tax cuts, and slightly stricter gun control.

Regarding the Republican National Convention, “The Atlantic” reported “Paul Ryan’s speech was well-written, well- delivered, and well-received…It was also profoundly dishonest in ways large and small.”

Paul Ryan’s speech was considered encouraging and beneficial to the morale of the Republican Party, but many critics were quick to point out discrepancies. Ryan criticized Obama for cuts in Medicare, when he himself proposed the same cuts. Ryan also criticized Obama for not commissioning the Simpson-Bowles commission despite the fact that he, himself, was one of the people who voted to oppose it.

The Platform the Republicans voted for includes: The Defense of Marriage Act, the banning of any and all abortions, only umbilical cord stem cell research, and reinstating of “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell.”

St. Paul’s Civics teacher Sean Moser, who claims to be unbiased, stated one of the weaknesses of the Republican Party at the convention was that they appeared to be somewhat scripted.

“They hit their points with what they need to do. I thought the Democrats showed more emotion…But in general that is how the parties are  thought to have been for years.”

Moser also stated the Republicans “seem to all be on the same page with what they want. The Democrats seem to disagree [about their platform] and want it watered down.”