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INTRODUCTION
Define the terms: (1) primary, (2) caucus, (3) closed primary, (4) open primary, (5) delegate, (6) Superdelegate. Discuss with students the purpose of primary elections and caucuses.
Have students research the history of the New Hampshire Primary and the Iowa Caucuses. Check to see when your state’s primary or caucus is being held. Review with students the names, biographies, and campaign messages of the candidates vying for the Republican and Democratic party’s nomination. Are any third party candidates running at this point in the election cycle? Discuss together or use as writing prompts:
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Why do candidates spend a substantial amount of time and campaign funds for the first primaries/caucuses?
- Why do campaigns gain or lose momentum during the primary season?
- Which candidates have received endorsements? Have any of these endorsements helped their campaigns or have they gone unnoticed?
- What role do delegates and superdelegates play in presidential primaries and caucuses?
- Would you consider this method of choosing a political party's nominee 'democratic'? Why or why not?
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
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