<Li> <P> Governor George Clinton of New York </P> </Li> <P> Governor George Clinton of New York </P> <P> In the absence of political parties, there was no formal nomination process . The framers of the Constitution had presumed that Washington would be the first president, and there was no opposition to him since George Washington was widely seen as "essential to the successful operation of the new government ." The nation was undivided, regardless of national beliefs or affiliations, in its decision of Washington as president, so it was of little curiosity to the nation that he won unanimously during the 1788--89 election . Alexander Hamilton, a devoted advocate of George Washington, stated to Washington that "...the point of light in which you stand home and abroad will make an infinite difference in the respectability in which the government will begin its operations in the alternative of your being or not being the head of state ." Alexander Hamilton's letter to Washington is an attempt to persuade him to leave retirement on his farm in Mount Vernon, Virginia to run for the presidency, exemplifying the unanimous nature of George Washington's position as a candidate in the first election . </P> <P> Less certain was the choice for the vice presidency, which contained no definite job description in the constitution . Although, the job title that came with being vice-president was as the head of the senate, unrelated to the executive branch . However, the Constitution did stipulate the position would be awarded to the runner - up in the presidential election . Because Washington was from Virginia, many assumed that a vice president would be chosen from one of the northern states to ease sectional tensions . In an August 1788 letter, U.S. Minister to France Thomas Jefferson wrote that he considered John Adams and John Hancock, both prominent citizens from Massachusetts, to be the top contenders . Jefferson suggested John Jay, James Madison, and John Rutledge as other possible candidates . </P>

During the earliest years of the united states who nominated the candidates for president
find me the text answering this question