Final answer:
The U.S. president is chosen indirectly through a two-step process where voters elect electors in the Electoral College, who then vote for the president. This system, established at the Constitutional Convention, was a compromise between direct popular elections and Congress electing the President. The nomination process for these candidates is managed by state-controlled primaries and caucuses but finalized by party conventions.
Step-by-step explanation:
The process of selecting the President of the United States is described as indirect because it involves a unique American institution called the Electoral College, rather than a simple nationwide popular vote. During the presidential election, American voters cast their votes for a slate of electors, who are pledged to support a specific presidential candidate. Those electors then vote for the president. As such, the voters do not directly elect the president but do so indirectly through these electors. This system was proposed at the Constitutional Convention as a compromise between those who wanted direct popular elections and those who preferred Congress to select the President, balancing the fears of unfiltered popular vote with concerns about congressional overreach.
Furthermore, the nomination process of candidates is also indirect and varies by state. Political parties play a significant role in nominating candidates through primaries and caucuses. This decentralized system allows states to choose their preferred selection method. Over time, primaries and caucuses have become the prevailing system, moving the power to select candidates closer to the people, yet the final nomination is made at party conventions. Nonetheless, the state-elected delegates' support usually corresponds with the outcomes of the primaries and caucuses.Some consider this system to be outdated, advocating for direct elections similarly to how members of Congress are elected. Critics argue that the Electoral College can result in a candidate winning the presidency without securing the most votes nationally, as happened in 2000 and 2016. Proponents believe that it balances the influence of small and large states and protects the interests of the minority. The debate over the pros and cons of the Electoral College continues.