Saturday’s Mock Convention: a preview of “raucous” GOP event to come?

Mock Convention

Saturdays+Mock+Convention%3A+a+preview+of+raucous+GOP+event+to+come%3F

A Saint Francis tradition looks to demystify the world of presidential politics and make the election year a little more interesting for the University community.

The 2016 Mock Republican Convention will be held in the JFK Student Center on Saturday, April 9. Since its first iteration in 1960, the event has been held every presidential election year and focuses on the political party that does not hold the executive office at the time.

The convention will be run much like the real-life Republican National Convention, with groups of students, staff and faculty acting as campaign managers and state delegates.

The participants will debate, negotiate and decide which of the three remaining candidates should be the party’s presidential and vice presidential nominees.

The mock conventions at Saint Francis have historically been informal and lively, setting them apart from other such events.

“We encourage students to dress up in costumes and to really get into it,” said Joseph Melusky, a professor of political science and director of the Saint Francis Center for Government and Law. “We want things to be raucous and festive.”

Melusky believes that the convention serves as a fun and interesting way to garner political awareness.

“We want people to be bouncing around, to be negotiating and trying to cut deals,” he said.

Past mock conventions at SFU have hosted keynote speakers from various levels of state and federal government.

Former Pennsylvania Governor Tom Corbett will deliver this year’s keynote address at the mock convention. Corbett served as Pennsylvania’s governor from 2011-15.

Linda A. Kline, administrative assistant for the education department, will be participating in her sixth SFU mock convention in April.

“It’s like the blue moon – it’s a rare occurrence for students because it only happens every four years,” she said.

“It’s exciting, and it’s something that people should witness.”

Melusky noted that the convention’s energy will be a perfect match for the unconventional nature of the 2016 Republican race.

“It’s a very exciting and interesting campaign. It’s been quite a show.”