Final answer:
The national committee is responsible for handling party issues between conventions, maintaining organization, and strategizing for elections. They work with the committee chairs to promote the platform and support political candidates, leading up to and during the national conventions where the presidential nominees are finalized.
Step-by-step explanation:
The national committee handles (steers) party issues in between conventions. Each political party has a national committee that operates and maintains party activities during non-convention years.
These national committees, along with their committee chairs, are responsible for keeping the party organized, planning for the next convention, and maintaining a strategy for the elections. This involves managing both the Republican and Democratic National Committees.
They ensure the party's national platform is promoted, support political candidates, and manage fundraising and other important logistical aspects required for maintaining party strength and unity.
During national conventions, the party delegates meet to discuss and vote on the party's platform, finalize the selection of the party's presidential and vice presidential nominees, and organize the campaign for the general election.
It's during these conventions that the direction of the party is solidified, and its public image shaped.