Path to Presidency
Paths
• “Invisible Primary”: unofficial campaign done by unofficial
candidate
• Declaration of Candidacy
• Nomination Phase
• Fall Campaign
• Election Day
• Meeting of Electors
• Formal Election
• Inauguration day
Nomination Phase
• Some states use conventions method of sending delegates
to national convention
– Local Caucuses-----district convention----state convention----national convention. Each level selects delegates to attend higher
level
– Importance of Iowa: 1st state to hold caucuses each presidential
election year----chance for candidate to build momentum for
succeeding caucuses and primaries
Nomination (Cont’d)
• Other states use presidential primaries as method of sending
delegates to national convention. Increased use of primaries in last 30
yrs.
– “beauty contest primary”: voters vote for candidates/delegates to attend
convention either on proportional basis (democrats) or winner-take-all
basis (republican)
– Delegate selection primary: voters vote for delegates to convention
– Combination of above
– Importance of New Hampshire: 1st state to hold primary each election
yr.—chance for candidate to build momentum
– “Front loading” trend: primaries are held earlier and earlier. Idea of
“Super Tuesday.”(23 states) More and more states moving up their
primary dates (MI, FLA in 2008)
Types of Primary Elections
• Closed – Only registered party members can vote for partisan offices,
no crossing of party lines (Used in most states, OR., NY, FL.)
• Open – Independents may vote, crossing party lines allowed (danger
of damaging or “raiding” political parties; ID, TX, MO.)
• Blanket – (“free love”): Independents may vote, voter can “mix and
match” their votes (ie. Vote for candidates of different parties for
different offices. Damage to political parties. Used in CA. 1998-2000
and WA and Alaska, but overturned by Supreme Court)
Nomination (Cont’d)
• National Convention
– Selection of presidential nominee: Formality (winner is known)--emphasis on image and ratification (not nomination)
– Selection of V.P. Nominee
• Chosen by Presidential nominee
• “Balancing the ticket”
-Development of Party Platform
-Reconciliation and unification of party by end of convention
Nomination (Cont’d)
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•
Analysis of Presidential Nominating System
Pro
– Highly participatory: Caucuses, primaries, conventions
– Highly representative
– Testing ground for candidates. Weeds out weak candidates
•
Con
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Low rate of turnout
Too Lengthy
Does not test candidates qualities needed for president (emphasis on media game)
Front loading affects states with late primaries
Voters in primary tend to be more affluent than those in general
Delegates at caucus/conventions are more ideological, activist, educated,
wealthy, and less moderate (unrepresentative) “Selectorate, not electorate”