Difference Between The Nomination Process And The Election Process

Let’s draw this out nice and simply: the difference between the nomination process and the general election lies in first determining who will run in each party (through the nomination process), then which of those nominees (determined by the general election through the electoral college) will assume the White House come January 20th. The nomination processes referred to here take place on a state level, precluding the general election on the national level. There are two avenues by which a presidential candidate can be nominated in a state, these are: a caucus or a primary election. A caucus is a meeting of party members and supporters of various candidates who may elect each state or national convention delegates who in turn vote for the presidential nominee. (INSERT CIT) A caucus differs from a primary election in several key ways. First, because of the competitive nature of a caucus, participants tend to be politically active and vocal with their opinions; fewer citizens participate in caucuses than in primary elections, which are more private. Primary elections are either open or closed, meaning that you need to be

Media governs public opinion; this is why so much weight is given to the election in Iowa and New Hampshire. Media momentum (positive or negative) builds when undue weight or attention is given to certain events along the campaign trail. It’s no coincidence that every president since 1996 has also won their party’s nomination in Iowa, and that the democrats project their Iowa winner to be their national nominee. (Redlawske, 52) Shorten the length of the trail by holding primaries/caucuses on a single day, and prevent the unchecked slough of the mass media’s impact on each state’s decision. This would encourage the pursuit of each state’s true desires rather than a bandwagon effort to stamp the White House with a D or an R. It would go a long way to make sure the best candidate is chosen as president, rather than the most popular