American elections have changed dramatically during the nationÆs history, especially the method in which the United States elects its Presidents. This paper will examine the American electoral process, comparing the party-oriented campaigns of the past with the personality driven campaigns of today.
Though the founders did not include any mention of political parties in the Constitution, such organizations sprang up almost immediately after ratification of the document. From the beginning, party identification became an important part of the American political process. The leadership of the political parties would nominate candidates, making it easier for voters to choose. The party affiliation gave voters an immediate idea of what each candidate stood for.
The parties also served as campaign organs at a time when it was unseemly for presidential candidates to openly campaign for the job. Moreover, political parties were repeat players, so they offered candidates permanent political party organization. Candidates for political office had neither the need nor the money to maintain a permanent campaign staff, so they only created temporary organizations for each election. Thus, they became reliant upon the partyÆs permanent organization.
For most of American history, two parties have dominated the political scene. Occasional fractures have led to three parties, such as in the years leading up to the Civil War, but since time a two-party system has ruled. The parties held almost a complete lock on which candidates were chosen, which would occur at annual conventions. Delegates would come from every state and territory and debate the party leadershipÆs choices for candidates.
The caucus system was another method of nominating candidates, usually for local offices. In a caucus, a group of party managers or ôduty votersö would gather to select the partyÆs candidates for local offices, such as the state leg...