are primaries bad for prez politics?

[dougrhess]

Are primaries bad for choosing the best prez candidate? Some writers say they are bad for party strength. When did the primary system last undergo an overhaul?

[dougrhess]

From 1824-1912 the Conventions simply chose the nominee. The first major primary battle was the GOP Primary of 1912. There TR won all bu[t] 3 primaries, but Taft won at the Convetion. So primaries were not so strong.

So what did the primaries in 1912 do that TR's win didn't secure anything? Were they just like polls but w/o delegate selection?

[dougrhess]

The problem with putting primaries, or many of them, all on one day is that the nation is so freaking huge that people need time to get a chance to see or hear the various candidates a couple times. I like the idea of having several primaries scattered around the nation held on one day and then rotating each term what states are on what days.