Forum: Presidential Primaries

The use of presidential primaries and caucuses to decide a party’s nominee is a relatively new feature of the American political system. Gone are the days of party leaders and dignitaries meeting in a “smoke-filled room” to decide a nominee. Instead, we now have a complex system of statewide races that take place in the months leading up to each party’s national convention., which has had significant ramifications. Indeed, American voters now have much more control over the selection process than they did half a century ago. That said, viable candidates are almost now forced to officially start their campaigns many months in advance, building campaign staffs, interacting with donors, and yes, making the seemingly required summer trip to the Iowa State Fair. Voters have to learn about candidates on crowded debate stages, where it is often more important to create a viral moment instead of an honest debate of the issues. And of course, there is the decades long debate about whether it is fair for relatively small, homogenous states such as Iowa and New Hampshire to have so much influence over the process. The system is certainly much less elitist than it was in the past, but it is not without its flaws.

This spring’s Honors College Forum will focus on the forthcoming presidential primaries. The foundation of the course will be the discussion that takes place each week around a table in the Honors College wing of Gearhart Hall. The class will begin with a study of the presidency, focusing on the nature of the office and the process through which we elect our presidents every four years. Considering this election cycle includes an incumbent president, the class will also analyze President Biden's first term in office along with what will be the major policy issues being debated in the primaries. The class will also spend time focused on the Republican side, as we look at which GOP candidates, if any, will be able to defeat former President Donald Trump. Each student will also be assigned a to track throughout the semester, periodically reporting to the class about the state of the race. The course will end the semester with a preview of the 2024 general election campaign along with a discussion on possible reforms to how we select presidential nominees in the United States.