caucus race

noun4

1. •
   (US) The competitive process in which a political party selects their candidate, especially presidential; a primary election via caucus.

   • Mr. Gingrich, who is now the minority whip, announced last week that he had rounded up more than 100 commitments from House Republicans for the caucus race to come after the election next year. — 1993
2. •
   (US) A political competition; the game of campaigning and one-upmanship to get votes and be elected.

   • […] she was backing southern moderate John Spratt in his strong but unsuccessful caucus race for Budget Committee chairman. — 1993
3. •
   A laborious but arbitrary and futile activity; an activity that amounts to running around in a circle, expending great energy but not accomplishing anything.
4. •
   A win-win system; a positive system in which everybody wins.