Introduction
A record crop of Democrats are contending this year for their party's nomination in hopes of unseating President Trump, who faces no significant Republican opposition as he seeks renomination. It is possible that no clear Democratic favorite will emerge until well after the early-voting states of Iowa and New Hampshire have their say in February. Over the past half-century, voters participating in primaries and caucuses have supplanted the support of party leaders as the key to winning the nomination. Some observers worry that this has created a reality-show-style free-for-all that lacks proper vetting of potential presidents. Others say party officials and elected leaders still hold considerable sway, noting that this year's debate rules established by the Democratic National Committee have helped winnow the field. Serious questions remain about whether a process that has evolved episodically over time needs to be thoroughly rethought in order to ensure that nominees fully reflect a party's platform, are electable and are qualified to occupy the Oval Office.
Pete Buttigieg, then still mayor of South Bend, Ind., gets grilling tips from Iowa Pork Queen Gracie Greiner at the Iowa State Fair in August. Buttigieg and other 2020 Democratic presidential contenders are seeking attention in any way they can in early-voting states such as Iowa. (Getty Images/Chip Somodevilla)
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Presidential Candidates and Campaigns |
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Jan. 15, 2021 |
The Biden Presidency  |
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Jan. 31, 2020 |
Presidential Primaries |
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Nov. 16, 2018 |
The Presidency |
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Jan. 06, 2017 |
Trump Presidency |
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Mar. 06, 2015 |
Presidential Power |
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Feb. 03, 2012 |
Presidential Election |
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Jan. 30, 2009 |
The Obama Presidency |
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Aug. 08, 2008 |
Political Conventions |
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Jul. 18, 2008 |
Race and Politics |
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Apr. 20, 2007 |
Electing the President |
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Dec. 30, 1988 |
Promises vs. Problems |
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Jul. 10, 1987 |
Presidential Nomination Process |
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Feb. 03, 1984 |
Choosing Presidential Nominees |
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Jun. 06, 1980 |
Choosing Presidential Candidates |
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Apr. 09, 1976 |
Presidential Campaign Coverage |
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Feb. 23, 1972 |
Political Conventions |
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May 27, 1964 |
Foreign Policy Issues in Election Campaigns |
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Sep. 21, 1960 |
Voting in 1960 |
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Jan. 06, 1960 |
Presidential Primaries, 1960 |
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Jan. 04, 1956 |
Campaign Smearing |
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Nov. 30, 1955 |
Presidential Possibilities, 1956 |
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May 09, 1952 |
Open Conventions |
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Jan. 16, 1952 |
Presidential Primaries, 1952 |
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Oct. 12, 1949 |
Modernization of the Presidential Election |
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Jan. 14, 1948 |
Presidential Primaries |
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May 01, 1944 |
Foreign Policy in National Elections |
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Jan. 01, 1944 |
Choice of Candidates for the Presidency |
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Apr. 08, 1940 |
Republican Candidates for the Presidency, 1940 |
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Apr. 01, 1940 |
Democratic Candidates for the Presidency, 1940 |
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Jun. 19, 1939 |
Selection of Nominees for the Presidency |
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Aug. 19, 1938 |
Nomination by Primary |
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Mar. 11, 1936 |
Voting in Presidential Elections |
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Feb. 18, 1936 |
Presidential Candidates, 1936 |
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Mar. 03, 1932 |
Decline of the Presidential Primary |
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Aug. 25, 1931 |
Presidential Candidates, 1932 |
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May 05, 1928 |
National Nominating Conventions |
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Sep. 03, 1927 |
Presidential Candidates—1928 |
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Jun. 14, 1927 |
Patronage Influence in Nominating Conventions |
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Sep. 11, 1926 |
The Future of the Direct Primary |
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Jul. 02, 1924 |
Proposed Reforms of Presidential Nominating Methods |
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Jun. 04, 1924 |
The Machinery of the Political Conventions |
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Mar. 15, 1924 |
Presidential Candidates and the Issues |
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Sep. 05, 1923 |
The Passing of the Second Term |
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