In 1968, Lyndon B. Johnson abandon the presidential race following public pressure. Nearly 60 years later, the public seems to be longing for two major candidates in the 2024 presidential election. Joe Biden AND Donald Trumpto do the same.
However, Johnson’s surprising departure from the race has altered the political nomination process, making it less likely that candidates like Biden and Trump will simply step aside.
The consequences of Johnson’s retirement, marked by the Democratic nomination of Vice President Hubert Humphrey, who did not participate in any primaries, catalyzed a shift towards a more democratic selection process, which now relies on primaries and caucuses.
Political parties “established new rules that basically created the primary and caucus system,” the presidential historian says Joshua Zeitz he told USA Today.
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This shift has facilitated the rise of both underdog candidates and incumbent presidents, altering the landscape of American presidential politics.
“It’s much more expensive to fight for the presidency,” presidential historian Mark K. Updegrove, president and CEO of the Austin-based LBJ Foundation, told the outlet.
The current system’s emphasis on early primaries and robust fundraising has particularly benefited incumbents and wealthy challengers, making it increasingly difficult for lesser-known candidates to gain ground, USA Today noted. Because of this, Biden and Trump effectively secured their nominations well before the official election season.
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This content was partially produced with the help of artificial intelligence tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.
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