Questions and Answers
What did the McGovern-Fraser Commission do?
Expanded the number of delegates chosen in presidential primaries.
What were the McGovern-Fraser reforms in the 1970s?
The McGovern-Fraser Commission reformed the process of selecting delegates to make it more transparent and accessible.
What was the goal of the McGovern-Fraser reforms?
To make the process more transparent and accessible.
Which of the following key recommendations were part of the McGovern-Fraser reforms? (Select all that apply)
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The McGovern-Fraser Commission is only related to the Democratic Party.
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What was unintended consequence of the McGovern-Fraser reforms?
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Study Notes
McGovern-Fraser Commission Overview
- Formally known as the Commission on Party Structure and Delegate Selection.
- Established in response to the chaotic 1968 Democratic National Convention.
- Created shortly after Richard Nixon's electoral victory to reform party delegate selection.
Commission Leadership
- Comprised of 28 members selected by Senator Fred R. Harris, then Chairman of the Democratic National Committee.
- Chaired by Senator George McGovern and Representative Donald M. Fraser.
- McGovern resigned in 1971 to pursue the presidency and became the first nominee under new rules, though he lost to Nixon.
Goals and Reforms
- Aimed to enhance transparency and accessibility in the delegate selection process.
- Advocated for party member decision-making rather than decisions made by party insiders.
- Sought to promote key democratic principles in party procedures.
Key Recommendations
- Convention delegates should be chosen through an open process rather than in closed meetings.
- Initially intended for caucuses to be used, but most states adopted primaries for ease of participation.
- Recommended the elimination of the "Unit Rule" (winner-take-all) in favor of proportional delegate awards.
- Emphasized the importance of diversity (race/gender) in convention delegations.
Impact on Political Landscape
- The McGovern-Fraser Commission reforms primarily affected the Democratic Party, but Republican Party adopted many changes, albeit lacking in diversity efforts.
- Intended to create a mixed decision-making body involving voters and party elites, but inadvertently disempowered party elites from filtering candidates effectively.
- Led to a growing influence of money and advertising in campaigns during the late 20th century.
- Recent decades have seen a resurgence in voter and volunteer influence within party politics.
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Description
Explore the key components and reforms of the McGovern-Fraser Commission, established to transform the delegate selection process in the Democratic Party. Learn about the commission's leadership, goals, and recommendations aimed at improving transparency and accessibility within the political framework.
