“The point is that you see candidates running in these different kinds of contests. A primary shows you something that's different from a state party convention, which shows you something that is different than what a caucus shows you.” KindDifferentStatesShowsRunningPartyPrimariesCandidatesConventionsDifferent KindsContestsCaucus Author:Michael Beschloss
“First of all, there's no mention of political parties in the Constitution, so you begin American history with not only no political conventions but also no parties.” FirstsPoliticalPartyConstitutionConventionsAmerican HistoryPolitical Parties Author:Michael Beschloss
“As parties began to develop around the turn of the 19th century, you had party nominees for President nominated in caucuses made up of party members in Congress.” MadeTurnsPresidentPartyCenturyMembersCongress19th CenturyAggravationCaucus Author:Michael Beschloss
“The founders were very worried that if parties developed in America, you might have something like the modern Italian system, where you have 20 different parties that divide Congress and the country and can't govern.” IfsDifferentCountryMightAmericaPartyModernCongressWorriedItalianDividesFounders Author:Michael Beschloss
“Then you get to the last half of the 20th century, Americans are getting very skeptical about their leaders and their institutions, and another place that is affected is parties and conventions.” LastsPartyHalfLeaderCenturyInstitutionsAffectedConventions20th CenturySkeptical Author:Michael Beschloss
