Why do they even bother with the political conventions anymore?

Question

I remember when the Presidential candidates were actually picked at the convention, yeah I'm that old. Like Kennedy and Nixon in 1960 or Goldwater in 1964; later the candidates were chosen by the voters through the primary system, but the VP announcement was still done at the convention into the 90's. An exception was George HW Bush picking Dan Quayle in 1988 before the convention. The thing is, what is there to do anymore except speeches. And that is all we've heard for 2 years.

Answer 1

Gives the conventioners something to do and the hookers in the convention cities some extra money.  ;)

Answer 2

I believe our forefathers could not image how huge and expensive these conventions would become.Boils down not who the popilar pick is by the citizens but the pick of the electors sent to the convention by them. 100% of the popular vote could be ignored and another elected . Of course come next election these people would be voted out of office, but it copuld happen.