Presidential Elections: Then and Now The presidency is the most important position in all of American government. Who the presidents were and what they did says a lot about America as a whole. In colonial America, the election of public and church officials could likely trace its very beginning to Plymouth Rock. In the presidential era of the late 19th century, the job of president was considered just that, a job. Presidents have made little effort to reach the public, unlike today, where this is the primary audience; they have to make the audience happy. The president was seen simply as a kind of public official. All other parts of government were more important. For example, Congress, which controlled the federal budget, public affairs, and legislation, did not allow any kind of interference by the president. Today the president is more of a leader, with more power than in the past. Today the United States Constitution states that there is a right to hold elections, but the methods and locations are left to the state. It is also established that the elections of presidents and vice presidents are indirect, that is, they are chosen by electors chosen by the people: the electoral college. There is more emphasis on what people want and need. This is one of the results of the change in government and society. With these changes came changes in how presidential elections were viewed and controlled and also in the methods employed to achieve a victory. There are many differences between the presidential elections of the late 19th and early 20th centuries and with today's elections, however there are also similarities. The main areas of presidential elections that are easily comparable are the areas of campaigning, debates, and issues. In the nation's early years, men were asked to take on political offices. These men were supposed to be well known and their character and experience were expected to speak for themselves. With the democratization of politics in the 19th century, men began to “run” for public office by promoting themselves through election campaigns. This applied to all offices except the presidency. The public and the press were against the presidential campaign because it was too dignified a position for the candidates to embarrass themselves with their personal selling skills. People thought the president should be above partisanship. In this way he could act for the common good.