CPD's Candidate Selection Criteria for 1988, 1992 and 1996

1. Evidence of National Organization. The Commission's first criterion considers evidence of national organization. This criterion encompasses objective considerations pertaining to the eligibility requirements of Article II, Section 1 of the Constitution and the operation of the electoral college. This criterion also encompasses more subjective indicators of a national campaign with a more than theoretical prospect of electoral success. The factors to be considered include: (a) satisfaction of the eligibility requirements of Article II, Section 1 of the Constitution of the United States, (b) placement on the ballot in enough states to have a mathematical chance of obtaining an electoral college majority, (c) organization in a majority of congressional districts, (d) eligibility for matching funds from the Federal Election Commission or other demonstration of the ability to fund a national campaign, and endorsements by federal and state officeholders.
   
   
2. Sign of National Newsworthiness and Competitiveness. The Commission's second criterion endeavors to assess the national newsworthiness and competitiveness of a candidate's campaign. The factors to be considered focus both on the news coverage afforded the candidacy over time and the opinions of electoral experts, media and non-media, regarding the newsworthiness and competitiveness of the candidacy at the time the Commission makes its invitation decisions. The factors to be considered include: (a) the professional opinions of the Washington bureau chiefs of major newspapers, news magazines, and broadcast networks, (b) the opinions of a comparable group of professional campaign managers and pollsters not then employed by the candidates under consideration, (c) the opinions of representative political scientists specializing in electoral politics at major universities and research centers, (d) column inches on newspaper front pages and exposure on network telecasts in comparison with the major party candidates, and (e) published views of prominent political commentators.
   
   
3. Indicators of National Enthusiasm or Concern. The Commission's third criterion considers objective evidence of national public enthusiasm or concern. The factors considered in connection with this criterion are intended to assess public support for a candidate, which bears directly on the candidate's prospects for electoral success. The factors to be considered include: (a) the findings of significant public opinion polls conducted by national polling and news organizations, and (b) reported attendance at meetings and rallies across the country (locations as well as numbers) in comparison with the two major party candidates.