DOI: 10.3886/icpsr06143.v1
title: Activists in the United States Presidential Nomination Process, 1980-1996
title: Version 1

description: This data collection provides information on party activist involvement in the presidential nomination process. Surveys of caucus attendees and convention delegates were initially conducted in 1980 at the state conventions in Arizona, Colorado, Iowa, Maine, Missouri, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Texas, Utah, and Virginia. Delegates from both parties were polled on a variety of issues, including their opinions on candidate qualities, such as record of achievement, moral character, performance on television, knowledge of foreign policy, and most important quality for a candidate. In addition, information was gathered on the party position held by the respondent, degree and type of party participation, opinions on state and national leaders, reasons for being involved in the presidential nomination process, choice for presidential candidate, and membership in other organizations. In 1984, surveys were distributed at the Democratic state conventions in Iowa and Virginia. In 1988, delegates to both the Democratic and Republican state conventions in Iowa and Virginia were polled. Caucus attendees of both parties also completed surveys in 1984 and 1988 in Iowa, Michigan, and Virginia. Other areas of inquiry included attitudes toward the Equal Rights Amendment, abortion, affirmative action, and military spending. Demographic characteristics of respondents, such as religion, ethnicity, education, employment, and income, are provided. In 1992, surveys were distributed to both Democratic and Republican state conventions in Iowa and Virginia. Areas of inquiry included attitudes toward abortion, affirmative action, the federal budget, a national health plan, foreign imports, the environment, United States involvement around the world, congressional term limits, the gasoline tax, homosexuals in the military, taxes, and the death penalty. Respondents were also asked to evaluate each of the candidates on some of these issues. In addition, data were collected regarding party position held by the respondent, degree and type of party participation, opinions on national leaders, nomination choice for presidential candidate, and membership in other organizations. Demographic characteristics of respondents, such as age, sex, religion, income, children, education, race, and military experience, are provided. In 1996, surveys were distributed before the election to both Democratic and Republican state conventions in Iowa and Virginia. Areas of inquiry included involvement in the presidential campaign, voting record, activities performed in 1994 campaigns, party affiliation, and opinions on such issues as abortion, United States involvement around the world, the federal budget, the environment, foreign imports, affirmative action, term limits, a national health plan, control of domestic programs, firearms, and income tax. Respondents were also asked to evaluate candidates on some of these issues. In addition, respondents were asked to rate the job performance of Bill Clinton, the economy, the political philosophy of the candidates, the candidates' performances on TV, and third party candidates. Demographic characteristics of respondents, such as education, age, sex, race, income, and religion, are provided. In 1996, surveys were distributed after the election to both Democratic and Republican state conventions in Iowa and Virginia. Areas of inquiry included voting record in the 1996 election, activities performed in the nomination campaigns for president, money contributed to political organizations, involvement in the 1996 presidential campaign and reasons for involvement, party affiliation, and opinions on such issues as abortion, United States involvement around the world, the federal budget, foreign imports, affirmative action, term limits, a national health plan, control of domestic programs, firearms, and immigration. Respondents were also asked to evaluate candidates on some of these issues. In addition, respondents were asked to give their opinions on the economy, the Reform Party, party positions held, and membership in other organizations. Demographic characteristics of respondents, such as education, age, sex, race, income, and religion, are provided.
description: Datasets: 
 
 DS0: Study-Level Files 
 DS1: 1980 State Caucus-Convention Delegate Data 
 DS2: 1984 State Democratic Convention Delegate Data 
 DS3: 1988 State Democratic and Republican Convention Delegate Data 
 DS4: 1980-1996 Democratic and Republican Convention Delegate Panel Data 
 DS5: 1984 Democratic and Republican Caucus Attendee Data 
 DS6: 1988 Democratic and Republican Caucus Attendee Data 
 DS7: 1992 Democratic and Republican Caucus Attendee Panel Data 
 DS8: 1984-1996 Democratic and Republican Caucus Attendee Panel Data 
 DS9: 1988-1996 Democratic and Republican Caucus Attendee Panel Data 
 DS10: 1992-1996 Democratic and Republican Caucus Attendee Panel Data 
 DS11: Codebook
description: Activists from the Democratic and Republican parties involved in the United States presidential nomination process.
description: In some states, all delegates were given questionnaires. In others, a random sample was drawn.