Short list
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
- This article is about a narrowed list of candidates. For the music award, see Shortlist Music Prize.
A short list 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.
[edit] U.S. politics
In US politics, the party election committee, after conducting research and undergoing a process of elimination, compiles a list of individuals judged fit and capable of successfully completing any processes needed for acceptance.
The term may be used during presidential nomination of federal and Supreme Court justices. However, its main use refers to presidential nominees, when they make their choice for the vice presidential nominee. 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.
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 John McCain 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.
[edit] Literary awards
For literary awards, a short list (or 'shortlist') is often made public, and sometimes a 'long list' as well. For example, the 'longlist' and 'shortlist' for the Man Booker prize in the United Kingdom are published approximately two months and one month respectively before the winner is named. See http://www.themanbookerprize.com/.
 |
This election-related article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. |
