“If you want to be a savvy political reader, it’s time to start paying attention to the flurry of articles about the so-called invisible primary: the behind-the-scenes competition for the support of elected officials, donors, party leaders and political operatives,” the New York Times reports.

“The invisible primary is well underway, and it will confer the resources, attention and credibility necessary to win a presidential nomination. A candidate who locks up a majority of potential support in the invisible primary, like George W. Bush in 2000, almost never loses. Many plausible candidates who fail to attract support in the invisible primary simply decide not to run at all. Those who try without such support, and gain momentum by winning an early primary, still usually lose.”