Changing the Dem primary calendar:

[Tamyrlin79]

The problem with our current system is that Iowa and New Hampshire get the entire say in the outcome of our presidential primary. The criticism is that this doesn't force a candidate to be tested as a candidate in all parts of the country before facing a general election. Therefore, I propose that the "kickoff" primaries be set up in the following manner:

Divide the country into about 5-6 regions. Pick one state from each to be the "lead" state for that region (the lead state can then be rotated to others in the region in later elections). Regions I would suggest, and some possible states, would be:

A. Northeast: New Hampshire/Massechusetts/Pennsylvania
B. Midwest: Iowa/Missouri/Minnesota
C. South: South Carolina/Georgia
D. Southwest: New Mexico/Arizona
E. West: Nevada/Colorado/Oregon

This would mean that on "opening day" we will have at least five state results, meaning up to five different candidates could win and get "win momentum" going forward to the other states for the rest of the primary calendar. Then, the candidates who won a state in the first round would be expected to win states in different regions for the next rounds, particularly if the only state they won was in their region, to demonstrate national appeal and "electability".

The smaller states would be preferable as the "lead" states in each region as they are easiest to engage in "retail politics", where the people get to know the candidates relatively well. Furthermore, there should at least be one month between the first primary round and any later rounds, to give other candidates a chance to make their case to other states that they shouldn't follow the decision of the first 5-6 in lockstep. Later primaries could be closer together.

Now, this idea does not address how to structure the remainder of the primary calendar, but it does offer a solution to the problem of of a single state determining who wins and making later primaries irrelevant to the process.