University of Virginia Center for Politics
SELECTING A PRESIDENT PART 1:
Primaries and Caucuses
Purpose: The road to the White House in recent election cycles has become more time
consuming and more expensive than ever before. In the first of two lesson plans
highlighting the presidential selection process, students will explore the importance of
presidential primaries and party caucuses, and debate the pros and cons of each. This
lesson may be used as a stand alone plan or in conjunction with Selecting a President
Part 2: The Nominating Convention and the General Election.
Objectives:
1. Students will identify the stages of presidential selection.
2. Students will learn the difference between a primary and a caucus and the role of
each in the presidential nomination process.
3. Students will investigate methods of selecting presidential delegates, and analyze the
2012 primary and caucus schedule.
4. Students will identify the method of presidential selection employed by their state.
5. Students will analyze political cartoons.
Keywords:
caucus
front-loading
open primary
closed primary
general election
primary
delegate
nominating conventions
Super Tuesday
Materials:
1. Student handout: What’s on your pizza?
2. Overhead or student handout: Road to the White House
3. Student handout: Presidential Primaries and Caucuses graphic organizer
4. Supplemental Resource: Congressional and Presidential Primaries: Open, Closed,
Semi-Closed and “Top Two” (www.fairvote.org/congressional-and-presidential-primaries_openclosed-semi-closed-and-top-two)
5. Teacher key: Presidential Primaries and Caucuses
6. Overhead: Methods of Selecting Delegates
7. Overhead or student handout: Political Cartoons: Presidential Primaries
8. Map: Methods of Selecting Presidential Delegates by State
9. Map: 2012 Open & Closed Primaries
10. Map: 2012 Primary & Caucus Dates
11. Student handout: 2012 Presidential Primary & Caucus Dates
12. Student handout: Presidential Primary & Caucus Trends in 2012
13. Overhead or student handout: Political Cartoons
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Procedures:
1. Warm-up: What’s on Your Pizza? – Distribute student handout What’s on your
pizza? Ask students to read and answer the questions together with a partner. Discuss
their responses with the class. Ensure that students understand the differences
between the two proposed choices for selecting a pizza.
2. The Stages of Presidential Selection – Pass out and/or project via overhead Road to
the White House. Briefly discuss the four stages involved in the presidential selection
process.
3. So, What are Caucuses and Primaries? – This portion of the lesson exposes
students to the different methods of selecting delegates.
a. Pass out the Presidential Primaries and Caucuses graphic organizer. Then project
via overhead Methods of Selecting Delegates.
b. A great resource to use can be found in Supplemental resource, Congressional
and Presidential Primaries: Open, Closed, Semi-Closed and “Top Two”
c. Go over the important concepts: caucus, primary election, closed and open
primaries.
d. Ask students to brainstorm the advantages and disadvantages of each method.
e. Project via overhead or pass out the two presidential primaries political cartoons,
and have students address the discussion questions in small groups.
4. The Road to the Presidential Nomination 2012 – Students will explore the methods
for selecting delegates as well as analyze the calendar/dates of the 2012 presidential
primaries and caucuses.
a. Distribute or project the map Methods of Selecting Presidential Delegates by
State. Have students analyze the map and respond to the following questions:
• Which type of nominating method is currently the most popular?
• Why are so few states holding caucuses?
b. Distribute or project the map 2012 Open & Closed Primaries. Students should
analyze the map and respond to the following questions:
• Which type of primary is most common?
• Do you see any geographic patterns in the states and their primary
choices? Any explanation?
c. Distribute the 2012 Presidential Primary & Caucus Dates handout and/or project
The Map of 2012 Primary & Caucus Dates. Break students into small groups to
discuss the questions in the student handout Presidential Primary & Caucus
Trends in 2012.
Hint: Visit the National Association of Secretaries of State (NASS) website and
download the NASS 2012 Presidential Primaries Guide.
http://www.nass.org/index.php?option=com_docman&task=doc_download&gid=1240
5. Making Connections: What’s My State in 2012? – Using the 2012 Presidential
Primary & Caucus Dates student handout, the Methods of Selecting Presidential
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Delegates handout, and the 2012 Open & Closed Primaries maps, ask students to
determine the method of selecting presidential delegates for their state. See below for
a longer, more detailed activity.
a. Instruct students to go to the The Fast Track Campaign
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wpsrv/politics/interactives/campaign08/primaries/
b. In addition to the method of choosing delegates, have students identify the
following:
• How many delegates are at stake in the Democratic and Republican primaries
or caucuses?
• Who won the 2008 Democratic primary or caucus?
• Who won the 2008 Republican primary or caucus?
• Who do you think will win the Republican Party’s 2012 primary or caucus in
your state? (If the primary or caucus was already held, students should
identify the winner).
6. Wrap-Up: Analyzing Political Cartoons – Project the political cartoons via
overhead or PowerPoint, and ask students to analyze each cartoon.
a. Describe what’s going on in the political cartoon (Who? What? When? Where?)
b. Identify any symbols (ex: an elephant to represent the Republican Party)
portrayed in the cartoon and analyze what they represent.
c. What is the artist’s message in the cartoon? What do you think is its purpose?
d. Do you agree or disagree with the cartoonist's message? Explain your answer.
e. What does this cartoon tell us about presidential selection in general, and
primaries and/or caucuses in particular?
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Student handout
What’s On Your Pizza?
I. Scenario - Have you ever been with a large group of people trying to order a pizza? The process usually creates
a difficult situation, as individuals want very different things. Imagine your teacher has just told you that she or he
is going to order a pizza for your entire class; however, your teacher presents your class with only two options for
how you will go about choosing what you want on your pizza.
Option 1: You have the choice between a pizza with cheese, a pizza with pepperoni or a pizza with
pineapple. There is no discussion on this matter, just a simple vote. Each member of the class will cast one
vote.
OR
Option 2: You have the opportunity to discuss with your classmates what toppings you would choose for the
pizzas and come to some sort of agreement on your own.
Questions for Discussion:
1. Which option would you choose, the first or second? Why?
2. What are the advantages for each? Disadvantages?
II. Presidential Selection: The “Big Picture” – Similarly, political parties in individual states must decide how
they want to choose the delegates who will cast votes at the party’s nominating convention. There are relatively
few federal rules, and basically each state and its party leadership decide. There is no national primary, and each
state runs the selection process a little differently. State party organizations choose some form of a primary or
caucus to select delegates to the nominating convention. Every state and its own Republican or Democratic state
committees chooses.
1. The Iowa GOP and Democratic state party committees choose to select delegates by caucus (party
meeting); New Hampshire chooses party delegates in a Democratic and Republican Primary. What
are the advantages and disadvantages of allowing states to choose their own method of presidential
selection?
2. If you were a presidential candidate, would you like the presidential selection system as it currently
exists? Why or why not?
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Overhead/student handout
The Presidential Selection Process
Step 1: Caucuses and Primaries
January- June 2012
Step 2: Nominating Conventions
National Democratic Convention
September 3-6
Charlotte, NC
Republican National Convention
August 27-30
Tampa Bay, FL
Step 3: General Election
Tuesday, November 5, 2012
Step 4: Electoral College Vote
December 2012
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Student Resource
Congressional and Presidential Primaries: Open, Closed, Semi-Closed, and "Top Two"
This is a quick overview of congressional primaries as they are currently held throughout the United
States. The following information details the types of primaries – open, closed, semi-closed, and "Top
Two" – followed by a listing of each state's current system. It is important to note that many states, and
many parties within each state, are continually changing the method by which they conduct their
primaries. Furthermore, for a more thorough understanding of each state's system, it is essential to read
the comments contained in the chart.
In light of the upcoming Presidential Election in 2012, we have also updated the chart to include
information regarding the type of presidential primary or caucus held in each state.
The information below is a work in progress and is as up-to-date as possible; however, if any of the
information below has changed, please email us at info@fairvote.org and we would be happy to update.
Open primary:
Voters of any affiliation may vote for the candidate of whatever party they choose. Some of these open
primary states may not have party registration at all; however open primary states do prohibit voters in
X primary from going on to participate in Y's primary or runoff. Yet, this prohibition can be difficult to
enforce.
The crucial issue in open primary states is "crossover" voting, which can contribute to the victory of a
nominee closer to the center or radically further away. It most often involves members of Party Y (either
in an area dominated by Party X or when Party Y's nominee is a foregone conclusion) voting for the
Party X candidate whose views are the most reconciliable with their own. Though this brings the race
closer to the center, Democratic and Republican party establishments generally dislike open primaries.
Occasionally, there are concerns about sabotage, or "party crashing," which involves voting for the most
polarizing candidate in the other party's primary to bolster the chances that it will nominate someone
"unelectable" to general election voters in November. An example is Republicans voting for Hillary
Clinton in the 2008 presidential primary.
Closed primary:
Only voters registered with a given party can vote in the primary. Parties may have the option to invite
unaffiliated voters to participate. Typically, however, independent voters are left out of the process
entirely unless they choose to sacrifice their freedom of association for the opportunity to have their say
in who represents them. Closed primaries may also exacerbate the radicalization that often occurs at the
primary stage, when candidates must cater to the "base," yet the "fringe" of the party are typically more
motivated to turn out.
In a few states, independent voters may register with a party on Election Day. However, they must
remain registered with that party until they change their affiliation again. A couple of states even allow
voters registered with one party to switch their registration at the polls to vote in another party's primary.
In these rare instances, a closed primary can more closely resemble open or semi-closed primaries than
the closed primaries of other states.
Semi-closed primary:
Independents may choose which party primary to vote in, but voters registered with a party may only
vote in that party's primary. The middle ground between the exclusion of independents in a closed
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primary and the free-for-all of open primaries, the semi-closed, primary mostly eliminates the concern
about members registered to other parties "raiding" another's election.
Of course people who align with Party X may theoretically still vote in Party Y's primary if they just
register as independent, but it appears most voters do not think that way. Moreover, the potential for
sabotage through tactical party registration is also present in the strictest of closed primaries.
Top Two/ non-partisan primary:
This method puts all candidates, regardless of party affiliation, on the same ballot. The top two votegetters then face off in the general election. This type of system is used in California, Louisiana, and
Washington, as well as in Nebraska for non-partisan election such as for the state's legislature.
Note on terminology: “Top Two” primaries are often referred to as “open primaries,” but that
terminology has long been used in reference to the type of party primaries in which all voters may
choose in which party’s primary to participate. By contrast, the "Top Two" system eliminates party
primaries altogether. It is more accurately described as “nonpartisan primaries.” It would be more
precise and less confusing to at least call them “nonpartisan open primaries.”
The following is a running list of states by types of party primary, updated January 2012:
State
Closed
Alabama
Alaska
R
Open
SemiClose
d
X
Ala. Code
§ 17-13- 7
D
Alaska
Stat. §§
15.25.014,
15.25.060
Ariz. Att'y
Gen. Op.
No. I99025 (R99049)
Ark. Code
Ann. § § 77-306- 308
Proposition
14; CA
S.B. 28
Arizona
X
Arkansas
X
California
N/A
Connecticut
X
Colorado
X
District of
Columbia
X
Source
N/A
N/A
Remarks
Primary
or
Caucus
Primary
Parties select who may vote in their primaries. To vote
in the GOP primary, a voter must be registered as a
Republican 30 days before Election Day.
Caucus
Arizona uses a "Presidential Preference" system instead
of a traditional primary system. Voters must be
registered for a party in order to receive a ballot.
Primary
Primary
California uses the "Top Two" Plan. On June 8, 2010
voters passed Prop. 14 to create a nonpartisan blanket
primary system in which all candidates are listed on the
same primary ballot and the top two vote recipients
face off in the general election.
Primary
Primary
Colo. Rev.
Stat. § 1-7201
D.C. Code
Ann. § 11001.09(g)(
1); 11001.05(b)(
Caucus
Closed primary for D.C. elected officials such as
Delegate, Mayor, Chairman, members of Council, and
Board of Education.
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Primary
Delaware
X
Florida
X
1)
Del. Code
Ann. §
3110
Fla. Stat.
Ann. §
101.021
Georgia
D
Hawaii
X
Idaho
R
R
D
Illinois
X
Indiana
X
Iowa
X
Kansas
R
Kentucky
X
Louisiana
Maine
X
Maryland
X
Primary
Haw. Rev.
Stat § 1231
Idaho Code
Ann. § 34904A
10 Ill.
Comp. Stat.
5/7-43, -45
Ind. Code
§§ 3-10- 16, 1-9
D
X
Primary
Kan. Stat.
Ann. §§
25-3301
Ky. Rev.
Stat. Ann.
§ 116.055
Act 570
Me. Rev.
Stat. Ann.
tit. 21, §§
111, 340
Md. Code
Ann., Elec.
Law §§ 3303, 8-202
No party affiliation at registration.
Caucus
Until 2011, all Idaho primaries were open. After the
GOP obtained a declaratory judgment that mandating
open primaries violated freedom of association and was
thus unconstitutional in Idaho Republican Party v.
Ysura, the legislature passed a bill allowing parties to
choose which type of primary they use. Democrats
have chosen a semi-closed primary; unaffiliated voters
may register a party at the polls on election day, but
they are bound to that party affiliation at the next
election.
Voters declare their party affiliation at the polling place
to a judge who must then announce it "in a distinct tone
of voice, sufficiently loud to be heard by all persons in
the polling place." If there is no "challenge," the voter
is given the primary ballot for his or her declared party.
Classified as a "modified open" primary." A voter must
have voted in the last general election for a majority of
the nominees of the party holding the primary, or if that
voter did not vote in the last general election, that voter
must vote for a majority of the nominees of that party
who is holding the primary. However, there is really no
way to enforce this, and cross-over occurs often. The
same modified open primary is used for the
presidential primary.
Voters may change party on the day of the primary
election.
Federal courts declared KS law unconstitutional and
now the parties decide who will vote in their primaries.
In 2012, Republicans will hold closed primaries;
however, they will allow unaffiliated voters to register
Republican on election day. Democrats will allow both
affiliated and unaffiliated voters to vote.
Caucus
Primary
Primary
Caucus
Caucus
Primary
The congressional primaries changed from a closed
system to an open system with the passage of Act 570,
effective January 1, 2011
Primary
Caucus
Parties may choose to hold open primaries, but must
notify the State Board of Elections 6 months prior.
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Primary
Massachuse
tts
Michigan
X
Mass. Gen.
Laws ch.53
§37
Mich.
Comp.
Laws §
168.575;
Public Act
163
Minn. Stat.
§ 204D.08
Miss. Code
23015-575
X
Minnesota
X
Mississippi
X
Missouri
X
Montana
X
Nebraska
X
Nevada
X
New
Hampshire
X
New Jersey
X
New
Mexico
X
New York
X
North
Carolina
X
North
Dakota
R
Ohio
X
Oklahoma
X
Oregon
X
D
Mo. Rev.
Stat
115.399
Mont.
Code Ann.
§ 13-10301
Neb. Rev.
Stat. § 32702
Nev. Rev.
Stat. §§
293.287,
293.518
N.H. Rev.
Stat. Ann §
659:14
N.J. Stat.
Ann. §
19:31-13.2
N.M. Stat.
§1-12-7.2
N.Y. Elec.
Law § 5304
N.C. Gen.
Stat. §§
163-59, 119
N.D. Cent.
Code, § 4021-06
Ohio Rev.
Code Ann.
§ 3513.19
Okla. Stat.
§26-1-104
Or. Rev.
Stat. §§
247.203,
254.365
Primary
Voters do not have to declare a political party to vote;
but must vote for all one party once they enter the
voting booth.
Primary
Caucus
No registration by party affiliation. However, in order
to participate in the primary a voter must support the
nominations made in the primary.
The Republican party of Missouri holds an Open
Caucus followed by a closed primary.
Open
SemiClosed
No party registration in MT. Each voter has the choice
which ballot to use on Election Day.
Primary
Partisan primaries are closed, meaning congressional
primaries are closed; however unaffiliated voters may
vote for a candidate of a particular party.
Primary
Caucus
Closed primaries in effect; but the statute allows for
semi-closed primary if that party's rules allow for it.
Primary
Primary
Parties may choose to allow for semi-closed elections
if they make a change to their party rules; however, as
of now, the primaries remain closed.
Primary
Primary
State law provides for closed primaries, but both
parties have opened them up to unaffiliated voters, who
may choose on Election Day.
Primary
No party registration.
Caucus
Voters' right to vote in the primary may be challenged
on the basis that they are not affiliated with the party
for whom they are voting in the primary.
Primary
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Primary
Primary
Pennsylvan
ia
X
Rhode
Island
X
South
Carolina
South
Dakota
X
R
D
25 Pa. Stat.
Ann. §
2812
R.I. Gen.
Laws §§
17-9.1-23
S.C.Code
Ann. §§ 711-10
S.D.
Codified
Laws § 126-26
Tenn. Code
Ann. § 2-7115
Tennessee
X
Texas
X
Tex Elec.
Code Ann.
§ 172.086
D
Utah Code
Ann. §§
20A-2107.5
Vt. Stat.
Ann. tit.
17, § 2363
Va. Code
Ann. §
24.2-530
Wash. Rev.
Code §
29A.52.112
,
29A.36.171
W. Va.
Code § 35- 4
Wis. Stat. §
6.80
Utah
R
Vermont
X
Virginia
X
Washington
N/A
N/A
West
Virginia
X
Wisconsin
Wyoming
N/A
X
X
Wyo. Stat.
Ann. § 225-212
Primary
An unaffiliated voter for the past 90 days may
designate his or her party affiliation on election day by
voting for that party in the primary.
A U.S. District Court judge ruled in Greenville County
Republican Party Executive Committee v. South
Carolina, that South Carolina's open primary is
constitutional.
Parties may choose to allow for semi-closed elections.
Democrats have opened up their primaries to allow
unaffiliated voters to vote.
Primary
Voters must affiliate with a party, but may choose to
affiliate with that party on the election day. In
Tennessee, voters are not registered with party
affiliations.
No registration by party; voters are not held to
affiliation of past election. Each year, voters have a
clean slate and must choose on primary day whether to
vote by a party affiliation or as unaffiliated; voters are
held to that affiliation in the runoff. For the presidential
primary, it is the same system as of December 19,
2011.
Parties may choose to open up the primary. Currently,
Republicans have a closed primary while Democrats
have opened up the primary.
Primary
No registration by party. For presidential primary,
voters must declare which ballots they want.
Primary
The Republican party has instituted a rule requiring
voters to sign a loyalty oath in order to vote in the
Republican presidential primary.
Similar to California's Top Two system.
R: Closed
Primary
Technically a closed system, but all parties allow any
voter who is not registered with an official party to
request their ballot for the Primary Election.
Primary
Voters may vote for only one party, but do not have to
be affiliated with any party before coming into vote on
Election Day.
A voter can change his or her party affiliation on
election day.
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Primary
Primary
Primary
Primary
Caucus
Primary
Caucus
Student handout
Selection
Type
Definition
Advantages
.
Caucus
Primary
Closed
Primary
Open
Primary
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Disadvantages
Teacher key
Selection
Type
Caucus
Definition
Closed meeting of party
members in each state.
Delegates select the
party’s choice for
presidential candidate.
Currently, six states,
including Nevada in
2008, offer party
caucuses selecting
presidential nominees.
Advantages
•
•
•
•
•
Primary
A special election in
which voters select
candidates to be the
party’s nominee for
president in the general
election.
•
•
Disadvantages
Only hard core party faithful
who have the biggest stake
in the outcome participate
Cheaper than primary
elections ex: no polling or
ballot cost.
Brings early exposure to
candidates and issues.
Still democratic as party
members do vote; tradition
of the New England town
meeting.
•
More democratic as
“average” registered voters
chose that state’s delegates
to the party convention.
Less elitist than caucuses.
Brings early exposure to
candidates and issues.
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Closed
Primary
Voters may vote in a
party's primary only if
they are registered
members of that party
•
•
•
Open
Primary
A registered voter may
vote in any party
primary regardless of
his or her own party
affiliation
•
•
Relatively democratic as
voters from that party go to
the polls.
Only loyal members of that
party get to vote for the
party’s presidential nominee.
Prevents the other party
from trying to influence the
election (Ex: Dems can’t try
to vote in the GOP primary
for the candidate most likely
to lose the general election)
Every registered voter
regardless of party can vote
Most democratic method for
choosing presidential
nominees
Does not necessitate voters
declaring a party affiliation
when they register to vote
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•
•
•
•
•
•
Relatively undemocratic
because most voters,
particularly independents
excluded.
Elitist as only the party elite get
to participate
Very small number of people
choose that state’s party
nominee.
Campaigning in Iowa, because
it’s the first caucus, very
expensive.
Relatively expensive with
regard to campaign and
governmental administrative
costs
Voting public generally doesn’t
pay much attention to primary
elections because they are so far
from general election.
Voter turnout often very low in
primary elections.
Completely shuts out
independent voters
Eliminates genuine crossover
voting
Requires voters to declare their
party affiliation when they
register to vote
Political parties lose much of
their control over who is
nominated.
Opens the door for potential
foul play from the opposing
party
Voters who are not particularly
invested in the political party
get to select the delegates from
that state.
Overhead
Methods of Selecting Delegates
Caucus – Closed meeting of party
members in each state in which
delegates select the party’s choice for
presidential candidate
Primary Election – special election in
which voters select candidates to be the
party’s nominee for president in the
general election.
Types of Primary Elections
Closed Primary – Voters may vote in
a party's primary only if they are
registered members of that party
Open Primary - A registered voter
may vote in any party primary
regardless of his or her own party
affiliation.
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Overhead/Student handout
Political Cartoon #1 – Presidential Primaries
Run for President- Hajo De Reijger, 1/05/2012- www.caglecartoons.com
Questions for Discussion:
1. Describe what’s going on in the political cartoon. (Who? What? When? Where?)
2. Identify any symbols (ex: an elephant to represent the Republican Party) portrayed in the
cartoon and analyze what they represent.
3. What do you think is the artist’s message about the presidential primaries in 2012?
4. Do you agree or disagree with the cartoonist's message? Explain your answer.
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Overhead/student handout
Political Cartoon #2 – Presidential Primaries
www.conservativecartoons.com
Questions for Discussion:
5. Describe what’s going on in the political cartoon. (Who? What? When? Where?)
6. Identify any symbols (ex: an elephant to represent the Republican Party) portrayed in the
cartoon and analyze what they represent.
7. What type of primary is the cartoon depicting?
8. What do you think is the artist’s message about the presidential primaries?
9. Do you agree or disagree with the cartoonist's message? Explain your answer.
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Map
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Student handout
2012 Presidential Primary & Caucus Dates
January
3
(Republican in red)
Iowa Caucus
10
New Hampshire Primary
21
South Carolina Primary
31
Florida Primary
February
4
4-11
7
28
Nevada caucus
Maine caucus
Colorado and Minnesota Caucus
Missouri Primary
Arizona Primary
Michigan Primary
March
3
Washington Caucus
6
Alaska Caucus, Georgia Primary, Idaho Caucus
Massachusetts Primary, North Dakota Caucus, Ohio Primary
Oklahoma Primary, Tennessee Primary, Vermont Primary, Virginia Primary
6-10
Wyoming Caucus
10
Kansas Caucus
U.S. Virgin Islands Caucus
13
Alabama Primary, Hawaii Caucus, Mississippi Primary
17
Missouri GOP Caucus
20
Illinois Primary
24
Louisiana Primary
April
3
24
District of Columbia Primary, Maryland Primary, Wisconsin Primary, Texas Primary
Connecticut Primary, Delaware Primary, New York Primary, Pennsylvania Primary, Rhode Island Primary
May
8
Indiana Primary, North Carolina Primary, West Virginia Primary
15
Nebraska Primary, Oregon Primary
22
Arkansas Primary, Kentucky Primary
June
5
26
California Primary, Montana Primary, New Jersey Primary, New Mexico Primary, South Dakota Primary
Utah Primary
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Student handout
Presidential Primary & Caucus Trends in 2012
Discussion Questions
Directions – As you refer to the 2012 Presidential Primary and Caucus Dates handout, discuss the
questions below.
1. Process: The New Hampshire primary on January 10 marks the first statewide primary election.
Though Iowa and New Hampshire have relatively few delegates in the Republican or Democratic
nominating conventions compared to say California or New York, these two states receive
tremendous attention from candidates as well as vast media coverage.
a. Brainstorm reasons why Iowa and New Hampshire appear to draw a disproportionate amount of
attention from candidates and the media.
b. Is that a good thing or a bad thing? Both? Neither?
2. On “Super Tuesday” (March 6, 2012), as many as 10 states will hold presidential primaries or
caucuses. Some say that Super Tuesday provides what amounts to a National Primary.
a. What do you think are the practical and political implications to states holding primaries or
caucuses AFTER February?
b. Brainstorm several advantages and disadvantages of having so many states holding
primaries/caucuses on Super Tuesday.
3. Front-loading refers to “the phenomenon of states moving their primary or caucus dates forward to
try to increase their influence in the nominating” (http://www.gwu.edu/~action/frontload.html). In
recent years, primary and caucus dates have moved up earlier and earlier. Consider the facts below:
1. A few decades ago, the Iowa caucus was held on February 19, and the New Hampshire
primary on February 27.
2. In 2008, Super Tuesday was held in early February. In 2012, Super Tuesday will be
held on March 6th. What does this tell you about the validity of front loading?
Identify several intended, as well as unintended, consequences of “front-loading.”
4. What generalizations can you make about the 2012 primary and caucus schedule?
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Political Cartoon #1
Daryl Cagle, www.caglecartoons.com
1. Describe what’s going on in the political cartoon. (Who? What? When? Where?)
2. Identify any symbols (ex: an elephant to represent the Republican Party) portrayed in the
cartoon and analyze what they represent.
3. What is the artist’s message in the cartoon? What do you think is its purpose?
4. Do you agree or disagree with the cartoonist's message? Explain your answer.
5. What does this cartoon tell us about presidential selection in general, and primaries and/or
caucuses in particular?
© www.youthleadership.net
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Overhead
Political Cartoon #2
Daryl Cagle- www.caglecartoons.com
1. Describe what’s going on in the political cartoon. (Who? What? When? Where?)
2. Identify any symbols (ex: an elephant to represent the Republican Party) portrayed in the
cartoon and analyze what they represent.
3. What is the artist’s message in the cartoon? What do you think is its purpose?
4. Do you agree or disagree with the cartoonist's message? Explain your answer.
5. What does this cartoon tell us about presidential selection in general, and primaries and/or
caucuses in particular?
© www.youthleadership.net
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Political Cartoon #3
Jeff Parker- www.caglecartoons.com
1. Describe what’s going on in the political cartoon. (Who? What? When? Where?)
2. Identify any symbols (ex: an elephant to represent the Republican Party) portrayed in the
cartoon and analyze what they represent.
3. What is the artist’s message in the cartoon? What do you think is its purpose?
4. Do you agree or disagree with the cartoonist's message? Explain your answer.
5. What does this cartoon tell us about presidential selection in general, and primaries and/or
caucuses in particular?
© www.youthleadership.net
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Overhead
Political Cartoon #4
http://www.usnews.com/usnews/php/galleries/image.php/356/10/10.jpg
1. Describe what’s going on in the political cartoon. (Who? What? When? Where?)
2. Identify any symbols (ex: an elephant to represent the Republican Party) portrayed in the
cartoon and analyze what they represent.
3. What is the artist’s message in the cartoon? What do you think is its purpose?
4. Do you agree or disagree with the cartoonist's message? Explain your answer.
5. What does this cartoon tell us about presidential selection in general, and primaries and/or
caucuses in particular?
© www.youthleadership.net
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