Week 1: History of Caucuses, Section 1

Brief snapshot of History of Presidential Nominations

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American Presidential candidate selection has undergone several evolutions.

Initially it was a contest largely between powerful elite leaders.

As political parties emerged the focus shifted to delegates at the national conventions. Here delegates who were mostly chosen by state and local part leaders jockeyed who for position, backing candidates of their choice and often receiving in return jobs and other promises.

The rise of powerful political “bosses” who controlled large blocks of voters in some of America’s largest cities became the prime force in Presidential candidate selection. These bosses used patronage and promises of services of jobs often for poor immigrants to these cities gave a flavor of corruption to the candidate selection.

As the United States descended into civil strife with anti-Vietnam War protests, black civil rights demonstrations and even fierce urban riots, the political parties also were affected and began to reevaluate how they conducted their Presidential politics.

Starting in 1972 with Democratic Party reforms, a more democratic way of choosing delegates was put in place. The result was the Iowa and other state caucuses and primary elections. The Republicans also implemented reforms. Women and minorities now played a larger role in Presidential selection.

The Iowa caucuses became a very visible first in the nation process. Iowa and New Hampshire entered into an agreement supported by the national political party organization whereby Iowa would start the national Presidential selection with the Iowa caucuses. New Hampshire would follow a week later with a Presidential primary. The state of New Hampshire even changed the law so the Secretary of State of New Hampshire has the authority to change the date of the primary so that it is ALWAYS one week after the first event.

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 Videos

• Interview with Dr. Chis Larimer, Associate Professor of Political Science, University of Northern Iowa