ABSTRACT
The changes in the presidential selection process have taken place in the context of an increasingly "presidentialized" political system. Political parties arose soon after the ratification of the new constitution, parties based on both regional economic interests and philosophical differences among elites about the role of the national government and the rights of the states. The party selected Hillary Clinton, making her the first woman to be nominated for president by a major political party. Clinton was a seasoned politician who had a demonstrated mastery of public policy, which was gained through eight years as an active First Lady during her husband's presidency. Multiple cable channels provide room for broadcasts aimed at niche audiences with particular entertainment and political interests. The idea of government by the people is firmly entrenched in the minds of not just Americans but of individuals around the world, and an assertion that "the people should decide" stops most conversations.
