The party has to control the primary process. If Minnesota and
California were allowed to have the first Democratic contests, the most
liberal candidates would get all of the attention and the probable
nomination. This would be disastrous for the party AND for the
candidates, who would be forced to say their most liberal thoughts to
get the nomination. The same is true for the Republicans.
California were allowed to have the first Democratic contests, the most
liberal candidates would get all of the attention and the probable
nomination. This would be disastrous for the party AND for the
candidates, who would be forced to say their most liberal thoughts to
get the nomination. The same is true for the Republicans.
Michigan is not the worst place to start the primary process, but it is
a good place for each of the parties to draw a line in the sand.
Personally, I think any early primary election undermines the democratic
process. The advantage of having a few is that it creates a place where
the candidates get in depth and relatively personal scrutiny in a
microcosm. In short, early primaries HAVE to be controlled by the party
for the good of both the candidates AND the party.
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