Short list
Encyclopedia
A short list or shortlist is a list of candidates for a job, prize, award, political position, etc., that has been reduced from a longer list of candidates (sometimes via intermediate lists known as "long lists"). The length of short lists varies according to the context.
nominees compiled for the benefit of a party's presidential nominee
, and a list of people who might be nominated by an executive office holder to a judicial or lower executive office.
In the latter instance, the short list may be compiled by the party
election committee, after conducting research and undergoing a process of elimination, selecting individuals judged fit and capable of successfully completing any processes needed for acceptance. It may also be used for the presidential nominations of federal and Supreme Court
justices.
In the former instance, its main use refers to the context of presidential nominees, as they make their choice for the vice presidential nominee. The list is typically compiled by the presidential nominee's advisers, with an eye to the characteristics of each vice presidential nominee that might boost the combined presidential ticket to victory. Under the current U.S. presidential and vice-presidential nomination regime, the presidential nominee's selection of running mate is authoritative, and will almost never be rejected by party convention
delegates.
As a prospective vice presidential nominee is placed onto the short list they are typically subject to thorough vetting
. The scrutiny involved in the vetting process usually increases as any given person whose name is on the short list comes closer to being chosen by the presidential nominee.
The media
frequently claims to obtain and announces the names of individuals they believe to be on the short list. Presidential nominees' staffs may also quietly disclose the name of a candidate as being on the short list, in an attempt to gauge public opinion.
Typically, the most prominent individuals on the short list are those who competed well in the early presidential primary
and caucus
contests, but who are judged as non-threatening by the presidential nominee (for example, John Kerry
's selection of John Edwards
in 2004.) There are several individuals who are perennially listed as being on the short list, such as Evan Bayh
and Bill Richardson for the Democrats, and Orrin Hatch
for the Republicans. Although such public disclosure may be considered an honor or mark of distinction, it can also harm a political career if a candidate is frequently discussed but never chosen.
U.S. politics
In US politics, short list is most frequently used in two instances: a list of prospective vice presidentialVice President of the United States
The Vice President of the United States is the holder of a public office created by the United States Constitution. The Vice President, together with the President of the United States, is indirectly elected by the people, through the Electoral College, to a four-year term...
nominees compiled for the benefit of a party's presidential nominee
Presidential nominee
In United States politics and government, the term presidential nominee has two distinct meanings.The first is the person chosen by the primary voters and caucus-goers of a political party to be the party's nominee for President of the United States...
, and a list of people who might be nominated by an executive office holder to a judicial or lower executive office.
In the latter instance, the short list may be compiled by the party
Political party
A political party is a political organization that typically seeks to influence government policy, usually by nominating their own candidates and trying to seat them in political office. Parties participate in electoral campaigns, educational outreach or protest actions...
election committee, after conducting research and undergoing a process of elimination, selecting individuals judged fit and capable of successfully completing any processes needed for acceptance. It may also be used for the presidential nominations of federal and Supreme Court
Supreme Court of the United States
The Supreme Court of the United States is the highest court in the United States. It has ultimate appellate jurisdiction over all state and federal courts, and original jurisdiction over a small range of cases...
justices.
In the former instance, its main use refers to the context of presidential nominees, as they make their choice for the vice presidential nominee. The list is typically compiled by the presidential nominee's advisers, with an eye to the characteristics of each vice presidential nominee that might boost the combined presidential ticket to victory. Under the current U.S. presidential and vice-presidential nomination regime, the presidential nominee's selection of running mate is authoritative, and will almost never be rejected by party convention
Political convention
In politics, a political convention is a meeting of a political party, typically to select party candidates.In the United States, a political convention usually refers to a presidential nominating convention, but it can also refer to state, county, or congressional district nominating conventions...
delegates.
As a prospective vice presidential nominee is placed onto the short list they are typically subject to thorough vetting
Vetting
Vetting is a process of examination and evaluation, generally referring to performing a background check on someone before offering him or her employment, conferring an award, etc...
. The scrutiny involved in the vetting process usually increases as any given person whose name is on the short list comes closer to being chosen by the presidential nominee.
The media
News media
The news media are those elements of the mass media that focus on delivering news to the general public or a target public.These include print media , broadcast news , and more recently the Internet .-Etymology:A medium is a carrier of something...
frequently claims to obtain and announces the names of individuals they believe to be on the short list. Presidential nominees' staffs may also quietly disclose the name of a candidate as being on the short list, in an attempt to gauge public opinion.
Typically, the most prominent individuals on the short list are those who competed well in the early presidential primary
Primary election
A primary election is an election in which party members or voters select candidates for a subsequent election. Primary elections are one means by which a political party nominates candidates for the next general election....
and caucus
Caucus
A caucus is a meeting of supporters or members of a political party or movement, especially in the United States and Canada. As the use of the term has been expanded the exact definition has come to vary among political cultures.-Origin of the term:...
contests, but who are judged as non-threatening by the presidential nominee (for example, John Kerry
John Kerry
John Forbes Kerry is the senior United States Senator from Massachusetts, the 10th most senior U.S. Senator and chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. He was the presidential nominee of the Democratic Party in the 2004 presidential election, but lost to former President George W...
's selection of John Edwards
John Edwards
Johnny Reid "John" Edwards is an American politician, who served as a U.S. Senator from North Carolina. He was the Democratic nominee for Vice President in 2004, and was a candidate for the Democratic presidential nomination in 2004 and 2008.He defeated incumbent Republican Lauch Faircloth in...
in 2004.) There are several individuals who are perennially listed as being on the short list, such as Evan Bayh
Evan Bayh
Birch Evans "Evan" Bayh III is a lawyer, advisor and former Democratic politician who served as the junior U.S. Senator from Indiana from 1999 to 2011. He earlier served as the 46th Governor of Indiana from 1989 to 1997. Bayh is a current Fox News contributor as of March 14, 2011.Bayh first held...
and Bill Richardson for the Democrats, and Orrin Hatch
Orrin Hatch
Orrin Grant Hatch is the senior United States Senator for Utah and is a member of the Republican Party. Hatch served as the chairman or ranking member of the Senate Judiciary Committee from 1993 to 2005...
for the Republicans. Although such public disclosure may be considered an honor or mark of distinction, it can also harm a political career if a candidate is frequently discussed but never chosen.