The process of selecting the Democratic presidential nominee in 1968 and 1972 revealed a deep cleavage between factions with divergent political characteristics. One faction had the reputation of being supported by the party regulars, that is, individuals who held party offices and who had responsibilities in the party. The regulars were challenged in 1968 by Eugene McCarthy and his supporters and in 1972 by George McGovern and his enthusiasts. Typically the McCarthy and McGovern supporters were characterized as lacking solid support among party officeholders and lacking experience in the party. By virtue of their lack of party experience the McCarthy and McGovern supporters were considered to be amateurs and insurgents. 1 McCarthy supporters were thought to have refrained from assisting Humphrey, a regular and the party standard-bearer, in his bid for the presidency. They were considered sore losers and disloyal to the party. In 1972 the circumstances and outcomes that prevailed in 1968 were reversed. The faction led by McGovern, without substantial ties to the Democratic party, controlled the convention. Experienced party regulars in 1972 were supporting candidates who lost, and their loyalty to the party's effort to elect the national ticket was severely tested. This study focuses upon the party loyalty of delegates supporting winning and losing candidates at the 1972 Democratic presidential nominating convention. Attention will be directed in particular to the effect of winning and losing upon delegates who are party regulars and those who are not party regulars. The various sections will deal with: (1) literature review, (2) data, (3) findings, and (4) conclusions.