Answer to Question 1
Answer:
An ideal response will:
1. Explain that early party nominations were made by caucus or convention. The caucus was the earliest nominating process: party leaders would simply meet several months before the election and decide on the party's nominee themselves.
2. Differentiate this procedure from the more modern, and ostensibly democratic, convention nominating processes. Explain that party conventions used to be held at all levels of government. Local conventions nominated city or county officers, state legislators, or district representatives for the House of Representatives. State conventions nominated governors, U.S. senators, and state officers. State parties chose national convention delegates every four years to nominate a president. Today, state and local parties still hold conventions, but mostly to select party officers. They have little to no say over party nominees.
3. Assess the impact of progressive reforms in creating a primary election that democratized the electoral process while also weakening parties.
Answer to Question 2
Answer:
An ideal response will:
1. Provide an outline of the various phases of political party development.
2. Explain how the Framers warned of the dangers that parties presented and how parties soon developed despite this warning.
3. Describe the various coalition changes and the events that precipitated each.
4. Evaluate the potential for dealignment following the Nixon administration, providing evidence to substantiate the argument.
5. Provide a concise and effective conclusion.