Political conventions are more than just pomp and circumstances, says Tampa Bay Times political editor Adam Smith.
He stopped by WUSF's booth at the Tampa Convention Center to talk all things RNC with Carson Cooper during Florida Matters: The Convention Today.
"It's conventional wisdom to say that they don't matter, that there's nothing surprising that happens and that this is really just a big, long commercial," he said.
"But they do matter. Last time, both Obama and McCain had astronomical ratings on television. There are a lot of Americans that this is the time they start to focus on the presidential race.
"And even if it's a scripted event, isn't that good for Democracy for people to watch each party put their best foot forward and give their basic message for why they're better for the country?"
Florida Matters: The Convention Today will air Aug. 27-31 from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. on WUSF 89.7 FM.
