What were secret caucuses associated with during the 1968 Democratic convention?

The secret caucuses at the 1968 Democratic Convention were primarily associated with back-door deals for securing nominations. During this tumultuous period, the Democratic Party was facing intense division due to various factors, including opposition to the Vietnam War and civil rights movements. As a result, the nomination process became fraught with contention and manipulation.

The secretive nature of these caucuses meant that discussions about delegate selection and candidate support often occurred away from the public eye. This lack of transparency contributed to perceptions that nominations were influenced by insider deals rather than an open and fair selection process. Such practices ultimately sparked significant backlash from party members and the general public, leading to reforms aimed at making the nomination process more democratic in the years that followed. This historical context underscores the connection between the clandestine nature of these caucuses and the behind-the-scenes maneuvering that characterized the 1968 convention.