"ruling elite" who "pre-ordain" the presidential candidates.

Sorry, that's drivel.

2 examples.

1) Jimmy Carter

2) Obama.


It's especially unlikely that any "ruling elite" pre-ordained Obama. Her Royal Clintonness, perhaps--but as you see, it ain't even gonna even get her the nomination, much less the presidency.

Oh yes, one more example: Lincoln. He never would have won in 1860 were it not for the parties which split his opposition. Up to that point, Douglas had a far better chance. And no "elite" arranged his opposition to be split.