Are we watching the last national conventions?

The second constituency for the conventions is the press. We love, or have loved them, because they give us ready access to politicians from all over the country—to a lot of fun parties with celebrities political and nonpolitical. But I noticed that, at least until 10:00 at the three Tampa sessions, the aisles of the convention floor were not crowded and the press gallery personnel had large numbers of floor passes available. When I asked for one on Thursday night before 9:00, the gallery folks rather than limit me to 30 or 45 minutes as is the usual practice said I could have it for the night. Reporters evidently preferred to remain in the press seats with their electronic gear within ready reach. Conventions are hugely expensive to news organizations, especially television networks, and print press and broadcast television managers are desperate to cut costs. The press is already OK with three-day conventions. If the press turns against the conventions, that could be the end. What we might get instead is one-day conclaves formally nominating candidates (to meet state ballot requirements) which get no more coverage than hundreds of political gatherings in the campaign cycle.