Conflict over individual endorsements within Party from 1952 on were “emotional and personality-identified“. This was a bad trend, e.g. 1952 Senate election, 1954 Proxmire-Doyle race. In earlier years people made sacrifice to run as Democrats. Later, as Democrats became successful, people developed their own organizations. This led to a weakening of the Party. Incumbents were less likely to rely on Party. Trend started when Nelson became governor. Party never supported candidates on any level financially.
