The major political parties in the U.S. host the Democratic and Republican National Conventions to select candidates and rally supporters.
Election candidates have often been determined before conventions, but are still formally declared as their party's official candidates at the conventions.
Political parties play key roles in organizing campaigns and elections.
Informing the public by traditional and modern mass media is a goal of the DNC and RNC, who gain supporters by remaining.
The legislative branch can significantly affect the power of the governing party by employing a series of checks and balances.
Democratic and Republican Parties have historically taken ideologically ambiguous positions in order to attract a wide range of supporters.
Democratic and Republican National Committees help coordinate and promote party policies but do not organize the creation of policies.