The Candidate (1972)

Before 1964, the process of a political party in nominating a candidate for president was done primarily at the convention. Although the individual states had a procedure to instruct the convention delegates how to vote, the selection process was mostly arranged by a few influential party members behind closed doors (the smoke filled room). By 1972, the selection process of a presidential candidate was mostly by the open democratic process of convention delegates publicly voting for a candidate based upon primary election results from their home state (McGovern Commission plan).

Although the current system is clearly more open and democratic, many of the candidates chosen are mediocre at best. The older system seemed to choose better qualified candidates. Discuss the pro’s and con’s of each system.