Watching for the ‘Convention Bounce’

Louise Radnofsky reports on the presidential race. Political science is still wrangling over how much importance to attach to the “convention bounce” — the boost in the polls enjoyed by Republican and Democratic presidential candidates in the days after accepting the nomination at their party’s national convention. But chatter about the phenomenon is certainly up this year, with the two major party conventions taking place closer together than in any other recent election, and both due to end within two and a half months of Election Day. Also this time, there’s no chance to look at “veep bounces” separately, with Barack Obama and John McCain both naming their vice presidential picks shortly ahead of the conventions. If you’re planning on joining in, here’s what to know about past bounces , courtesy of an American Enterprise Institute report collating major poll findings from the last 16 nominating conventions: - A double-digit ... (link)