Evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of the system of choosing presidential candidates.

The first 200 words of this essay...

Sophie Pearce 13A January 2003

"Evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of the system of choosing presidential candidates."

It seems reasonable to conjecture that the Achilles' heel of the modern presidency is one of recruitment. The long-winded delegate nomination process could in theory be replaced by a daylong direct election of presidential candidates. Instead, tradition dictates that the presidential race is drawn out quadrennially over the pre-primary, primary, Party Convention and campaign seasons. All four phases influence the outcome of candidate selection and much also depends on campaign finance, the role of the media and the nominees themselves.

Although the process is considered a "complex, drawn-out affair" in the eyes of observers (Janda and Al, 1994 p191), the system ensures the person chosen will become an established national public figure by the November Presidential election. The Pre-primary stage, which commences some two years prior, allows tentative feelers to be put out to test potential support. Currently we can see the Democrats testing the water with possible candidates such as John Edwards, John.F.Kerry and Joe Lieberman, and already the press are on their cases surmising who will be the front runner. This time, although coined the "Invisible"