“Is the invisible primary a valuable part of the US election cycle?
YES NO
- It gives plenty of time to test - The money generated for spending
potential candidates on their viability is ridiculous. Clinton raised $275
and appeal within a party without million. Trump $90 million.
making a formal announcement. - Too sensationalist. The process has
New ideas and campaign strategies become known as “the King maker”
can be tested. by Lacy 1995. Polls and policies
- It gives time for lesser known chop and change by each state.
candidates to try and get their name - The momentum generated promotes
out there unrepresented states and their
- The process can help reduce intra importance (“front loading” and
party conflicts by rallying around a “super tuesday).
consensus candidate early on, - Promotes and prioritises the elite, as
avoiding a divided primary season they are the ones that can donate
- a good prediction who will win the large amounts of money to
nomination in the primary and candidates and therefore influence
caucuses. Usually the front r6unner policy.
of the invisible primaries wins, which - Lesser known candidates could be
can indicate to other candidates to heavily overshadowed by the
drop out and also means party so-called ‘big name’ candidates
members have an indication on - Lacks transparency and democratic
what would be a wasted vote and scrutiny - it is controlled by a select
who is more likely to gain the most group of party elites
votes as the nominee. - The process excludes regular
- Debates between candidates occur voters, limiting their influence in the
in the invisible primaries and can be candidate selection process, it can
significant in the public deciding be argued that the party
their favourite candidate, 16 debates establishment has too much control
occurred between the Democrat over candidate selection
candidates before the primary and - Polls during this period are often
caucus season. wrong, in 2008 they decided Hillary
- By working to secure support from Clinton and Mayor Rudi Juliani to be
party elites and influential players, the favourite candidates.
candidates can help to unify the - Inequitable access - candidates
party around their candidacy early without established political
on. connections or enough financing
- Parties vet and support candidates may be at a disadvantage - harder
who align with their goals and for outsiders to gain a foothold
ideologies. This ensures candidates - Diverse voices and innovative ideas
who are competitive in the GE may be stifled and groupthink
represent the party’s values occurs - (occurs when a group of
- The invisible primary allows individuals reaches a consensus
candidates to build relationships without critical reasoning or
with donors and secure the evaluation of the consequences or
necessary funding alternatives. Groupthink is based on
- Being mentioned in the media is a common desire not to upset the
important for candidates to raise balance of a group of people.)
political momentum and for free - ‘The land of never ending elections’:
advertising. Candidates have to get a headstart
YES NO
- It gives plenty of time to test - The money generated for spending
potential candidates on their viability is ridiculous. Clinton raised $275
and appeal within a party without million. Trump $90 million.
making a formal announcement. - Too sensationalist. The process has
New ideas and campaign strategies become known as “the King maker”
can be tested. by Lacy 1995. Polls and policies
- It gives time for lesser known chop and change by each state.
candidates to try and get their name - The momentum generated promotes
out there unrepresented states and their
- The process can help reduce intra importance (“front loading” and
party conflicts by rallying around a “super tuesday).
consensus candidate early on, - Promotes and prioritises the elite, as
avoiding a divided primary season they are the ones that can donate
- a good prediction who will win the large amounts of money to
nomination in the primary and candidates and therefore influence
caucuses. Usually the front r6unner policy.
of the invisible primaries wins, which - Lesser known candidates could be
can indicate to other candidates to heavily overshadowed by the
drop out and also means party so-called ‘big name’ candidates
members have an indication on - Lacks transparency and democratic
what would be a wasted vote and scrutiny - it is controlled by a select
who is more likely to gain the most group of party elites
votes as the nominee. - The process excludes regular
- Debates between candidates occur voters, limiting their influence in the
in the invisible primaries and can be candidate selection process, it can
significant in the public deciding be argued that the party
their favourite candidate, 16 debates establishment has too much control
occurred between the Democrat over candidate selection
candidates before the primary and - Polls during this period are often
caucus season. wrong, in 2008 they decided Hillary
- By working to secure support from Clinton and Mayor Rudi Juliani to be
party elites and influential players, the favourite candidates.
candidates can help to unify the - Inequitable access - candidates
party around their candidacy early without established political
on. connections or enough financing
- Parties vet and support candidates may be at a disadvantage - harder
who align with their goals and for outsiders to gain a foothold
ideologies. This ensures candidates - Diverse voices and innovative ideas
who are competitive in the GE may be stifled and groupthink
represent the party’s values occurs - (occurs when a group of
- The invisible primary allows individuals reaches a consensus
candidates to build relationships without critical reasoning or
with donors and secure the evaluation of the consequences or
necessary funding alternatives. Groupthink is based on
- Being mentioned in the media is a common desire not to upset the
important for candidates to raise balance of a group of people.)
political momentum and for free - ‘The land of never ending elections’:
advertising. Candidates have to get a headstart
