That would be correct. The debate and everything up to the DNC has been pure punditry. He was not an official candidate.
I am confused if they aren't candidates until they appear on the ballot. Then what do we call them in the meantime?
Someone said in another comment that Biden dropped before he was officially nominated, so technically, he was more like a candidate to be a candidate if I get it right
He was a presumptive candidate.
You're confused because they don't know what they're talking about.
Nominees are the candidates selected by their party. Candidates are those who are campaigning for a position. Neither term is conferred by actually appearing on the ballot (a nominee can drop out before the election), but being officially nominated by their party is how they will get on the ballot.
That would be correct. The debate and everything up to the DNC has been pure punditry. He was not an official candidate.
I am confused if they aren't candidates until they appear on the ballot. Then what do we call them in the meantime?
Someone said in another comment that Biden dropped before he was officially nominated, so technically, he was more like a candidate to be a candidate if I get it right
He was a presumptive candidate.
You're confused because they don't know what they're talking about.
Nominees are the candidates selected by their party. Candidates are those who are campaigning for a position. Neither term is conferred by actually appearing on the ballot (a nominee can drop out before the election), but being officially nominated by their party is how they will get on the ballot.