The McGovern-Fraser Commission is a United States body tasked with the mission of updating and modernizing the Democratic Party’s nominating process. Created in 1968 by the Democratic National Committee, the commission’s goals included increasing the representation of women, minorities, and young people in the party’s leadership. Chaired by former Senator George McGovern and Representative Donald Fraser, the commission’s recommendations were adopted by the Democratic National Convention in 1972 and have had a lasting impact on the party’s nominating process.
McGovern-Fraser Commission: Structure and Mandate
The McGovern-Fraser Commission was established in 1971 by the Democratic National Committee (DNC) to reform the party’s delegate selection process. The commission, chaired by former Senator George McGovern, was tasked with creating a system that was more democratic, open, and representative of the party’s membership.
The McGovern-Fraser Commission’s main recommendations included:
- Eliminating the unit rule: Under the unit rule, all of a state’s delegates were required to vote for the same candidate, even if they personally disagreed. The commission recommended abolishing this rule so that delegates could vote their conscience.
- Reducing the number of automatic delegates: Automatic delegates, such as governors and party officials, were often seen as giving excessive power to party elites. The commission recommended reducing the number of automatic delegates to make the delegate selection process more competitive.
- Establishing quotas for women and minorities: The commission recognized the underrepresentation of women and minorities in the Democratic Party. It recommended establishing quotas for women and minority delegates to increase their participation in the delegate selection process.
- Creating a more open and transparent process: The commission recommended a number of measures to make the delegate selection process more open and transparent, such as requiring states to hold primaries or caucuses open to all party members.
The McGovern-Fraser Commission’s recommendations were adopted by the DNC in 1972. These reforms had a significant impact on the way that the Democratic Party selected its presidential nominees. They made the process more democratic, open, and representative of the party’s membership.
Key Points:
- The McGovern-Fraser Commission was created in 1971 to reform the Democratic Party’s delegate selection process.
- The commission’s main recommendations included eliminating the unit rule, reducing the number of automatic delegates, establishing quotas for women and minorities, and creating a more open and transparent process.
- The commission’s recommendations were adopted by the DNC in 1972 and had a significant impact on the way that the Democratic Party selected its presidential nominees.
Table Summary:
| Recommendation | Impact |
|---|---|
| Eliminate the unit rule | Allowed delegates to vote their conscience |
| Reduce the number of automatic delegates | Increased competitiveness in the delegate selection process |
| Establish quotas for women and minorities | Increased representation of underrepresented groups |
| Create a more open and transparent process | Made the delegate selection process more accessible and accountable |
Question 1:
What is the McGovern Fraser Commission?
Answer:
The McGovern Fraser Commission is a bipartisan commission established in 1990 to investigate the causes of the decline in voter turnout in the United States.
Question 2:
Explain the mandate of the McGovern Fraser Commission.
Answer:
The McGovern Fraser Commission was tasked with researching factors affecting voter participation and recommending reforms to increase turnout.
Question 3:
Describe the key findings of the McGovern Fraser Commission.
Answer:
The Commission concluded that voter turnout declined due to factors such as voter apathy, complex registration processes, and lack of access to polling locations.
And that, folks, is the McGovern Fraser Commission in a nutshell. It’s been a wild ride, but I hope you’ve enjoyed this little history lesson. If you have any other burning questions about the Democratic National Committee, feel free to give me a shout. I’m always happy to nerd out about politics. Thanks for reading, and be sure to drop by again for more fascinating tidbits and behind-the-scenes stories. Until next time!