The "system" as it is, is what gave us Donald Trump in the first place. We Need a National Primary so Every Republican in every State can vote on ALL 17 Republican candidates. After the more Liberal NE states had there way, the vast majority of Republican voters were down to only a couple of choices. Many, like us in Washington by the time we voted, had only Trump left on the ballot.
An Improved system for selecting our candidates is desperately needed. Like This:
• Primary Debate Period followed by:
• National Primary (all candidates)- Leaving us the Top 4
• Finalist Debate Period, followed by:
• Caucus held in every state Choosing a #1 and #2 Nationally.
• #1 would Pres, #2 would be VP officially selected by the delegates at the Convention, which would soften any divided party.
I disagree. If you get that many candidates (which is in itself a serious problem) you need a way to rationally distinguish between them, and that takes time. A one-day national primary would even more strongly favor a candidate like Trump.
The real complaint is that later states effectively have no say in selecting the candidate. Primaries spread over months is good, if at the same time you allocated the delegates differently.
- Introduce a rule: no more than 5 primaries on any given date. States will be assigned primary dates at random, no later than 18 months prior to the convention.
- Introduce a method whereby the party can offer a slate of "vetted" candidates. This would reduce the number and probably increase the quality of candidates.
- Primaries should be closed: they are for selecting party candidates.
- No "winner take all" primaries. Delegates should be assigned on a proportional basis.
- Allow any bound delegate to abstain from supporting the candidate to whom he is assigned.