Changes

The primary allows voters to choose between different candidates of the some political parties, perhaps representing different wings of the party. For example, a Republican primary may choose between a range of candidates from moderate to conservative. Gallup's 2008 polling data indicated a trend in primary elections towards more conservative candidates, despite the more liberal result in the general election.

The primary allows voters to choose between different candidates of the some political parties, perhaps representing different wings of the party. For example, a Republican primary may choose between a range of candidates from moderate to conservative. Gallup's 2008 polling data indicated a trend in primary elections towards more conservative candidates, despite the more liberal result in the general election.

==Too early?==

==Too early?==

[[File:Primary-date.jpg|thumb|300psx|states move up primaries earlier and earlier; in 2008 4 states held primaries in January and 21 in February]]

[[File:Primary-date.jpg|thumb|300px|states move up primaries earlier and earlier; in 2008 4 states held primaries in January and 21 in February]]

In recent years the primary seasons has come earlier and earlier, as states move up to earlier dates in the hope it will give them more leverage.  For example, [[Barry Goldwater]] won the 1964 nomination because he won the last primary in California. The logic is faulty--in highly contested races the later primaries have more leverage.  Thus in 2008 California gave up its traditional last-in-the-nation role and joined 20 other states on Super Tuesday.  Neither the candidates not the voters paid it much attention.  Michigan and Florida moved up their primaries in defiance of national Democratic Party rules and were penalized. The result is the primary season is extended, and is far more expensive, and no state gets an advantage--except for Iowa and New Hampshire, which now have dates in early January.

In recent years the primary seasons has come earlier and earlier, as states move up to earlier dates in the hope it will give them more leverage.  For example, [[Barry Goldwater]] won the 1964 nomination because he won the last primary in California. The logic is faulty--in highly contested races the later primaries have more leverage.  Thus in 2008 California gave up its traditional last-in-the-nation role and joined 20 other states on Super Tuesday.  Neither the candidates not the voters paid it much attention.  Michigan and Florida moved up their primaries in defiance of national Democratic Party rules and were penalized. The result is the primary season is extended, and is far more expensive, and no state gets an advantage--except for Iowa and New Hampshire, which now have dates in early January.