What can you tell before one of the parties has even chosen a nominee?

Administration officials said they were not close to choosing a nominee, but declined to comment on those being considered.

That alone could increase the number of independents choosing a Democratic nominee.

He must choose a nominee from the commission's list.

In cases where it's too late to choose nominees through primaries, party leaders select the candidates.

Each party held a nominating convention to choose their nominee for the special election.

The goal, they said, was to add more racial, ethnic, regional and economic diversity to the process of choosing a Democratic nominee.

A 20-member nominating committee chooses nominees from those who are eligible.

With the Senate in Republican control, the administration is likely to choose even more troubling nominees.

There is no doubt that Republicans are fragmented now as they move formally to try to choose a presidential nominee.