The Mechanics of Presidential Candidacies

Stage 1: The Pregame Warm Up
The process begins unofficially exactly one day after the 2012 presidential election when observers, analysts and pundits cast a wide and generous net over the whole country to kick start the elimination process. Potential candidates are determined through a multitude of factors, including, but not limited to, party affiliation, elected position (current and past), policy stances, level of success, age, temperament, personal attributes and family. The names are floated to encourage, solicit and provoke reactions from the candidates themselves, general media and other interested parties. On our part, the list of potential candidates below represents the “catch” from our metaphorical net. Our criteria for inclusion are not constrained by major party affiliation, popularity or financial strength. We aim to provide a platform for every properly invested American to present their case, and candidacy.

Stage 2: Informal Feelers, leaks and exploratory committees
The potential candidates then start testing out the waters to gauge the sentiments on the ground, and of the press and most crucially, the donor base. For established candidates with funds to spare, a more formal setup is formed, or, as they are more commonly known, exploratory committees.

Stage 3: Announcement of Candidacy
Once a candidate decides on running for president, a formal announcement is made. The announcement will be a highly polished media affair, and typically held at a historically significant or personally memorable location. The candidate is also required to register his candidacy with the Federal Election Commission. For independent and third party candidates, the journey usually begins here. At this stage, we will be eliminating the potential candidates from the list and naturally, focus exclusively on the declared candidates.

Stage 4: Primaries and Caucuses
The selection of presidential nominees for president by political parties is not bound by the Constitution or any federal regulations. However, the process involved has evolved naturally over the last century, more so since the advent of national conventions of political parties. The delegates of these conventions will ultimately decide the party’s nominee for president. The selections of the delegates, meanwhile, are done through state organized primaries and caucuses.