In the United States, the invisible primary, also known as the money primary, is the period between (1) the first well-known presidential candidates with strong political support networks showing interest in running for president and (2) demonstration of substantial public support by voters for them in primaries and caucuses. During the money primary candidates raise funds for the upcoming primary elections and attempt to garner support of political leaders and donors, as well as the party establishment. Fund raising numbers and opinion polls are used by the media to predict who the front runners for the nomination are. This is a crucial stage of a campaign for the presidency, as the initial frontrunners who raise the most money appear the strongest and will be able to raise even more money. On the other hand, members of the party establishment who find themselves losing the invisible primary, such as Mitt Romney in the 2016 race, may abandon hope of successfully running.[1]

During the invisible primary appeals are made and meetings held with the political elite: party leaders, major donors, fundraisers, and political action committees. In contrast to the smoke-filled room where a small group of party-leaders might at the last minute, in a small meeting room at a political convention, determine the candidate,[2][3][4] the invisible primary refers to the period of jockeying which precedes the first primaries and caucuses and even campaign announcements. The winners of the invisible primary, such as Hillary Clinton and Jeb Bush[5] in 2016, come into the first primaries and caucuses with a full war chest of money, support from office holders, and an aura of inevitability. Winners of the invisible primary have the support of the leaders of their political party and, in turn, support the political positions of their party; they are insiders, part of the party establishment. They do not always win, as Hillary Clinton did not in 2008.[1] There is little or no campaign advertising using TV, particularly by the candidate, during this period, although online advertising may be used to build mailing lists of grassroots supporters and small contributors.[6]

References

  1. ^ a b Nate Cohn (April 9, 2015). "The G.O.P. Presidential Field Looks Chaotic. It's Not" (The Upshot). The New York Times. Retrieved April 21, 2015. the behind-the-scenes competition for elite support
  2. ^ Russell, Francis (1962). The Shadow of Blooming Grove: Warren G. Harding In His Times. Easton Press. ISBN 0-07-054338-0.
  3. ^ Joe Alex Morris (1957). "Deadline Every Minute The Story Of The United Press - ARCHIVE.ORG ONLINE VERSION".
  4. ^ Stephen L. Vaughn (2008). Encyclopedia of American Journalism. CTC Press. ISBN 9780203942161.
  5. ^ Ben White (March 16, 2015). "Jeb Bush's $100 million problem Bush advisers are scrambling to drive down lofty fundraising expectations". Politico. Retrieved April 21, 2015. donors who attended high-dollar Bush events
  6. ^ Derek Willis (March 18, 2015). "The Invisible Primary Means No TV Ads. For Now" (The Upshot). The New York Times. Retrieved April 21, 2015. In this current period of television silence, campaign organizations are building an email list that can be used to raise money and target voters

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