1.   But moderation was an early casualty in nominating conventions.

2.   For a leading Democrat to chastise his own party at its own nominating convention was a remarkable political feat.

3.   Their national nominating conventions no longer nominate presidential candidates.

4.   And that, friends and neighbors, sums up about as well as anything the state of party politics and major party nominating conventions in America.

5.   Are the national nominating conventions obsolete?

6.   As plans now stand, registered voters could cast their ballots via computer or regular mail in advance of the nominating convention in August.

7.   Both parties have courted him for his charismatic appeal and commanding presence, which Republicans put on display with the speech at their nominating convention Monday night.

8.   All that is about to change, though, as both parties prepare for the nominating conventions that will usher in the final phase of the presidential contest.

9.   Bush also said Wednesday he is not sure he will be taking any international trips prior to the nominating convention, though he would like to.

10.   But delegates to the national nominating conventions will be selected on the basis of party-member votes alone.