Reply #12: Party delegates DID decide this

[gratuitous]

Back in 2007 when the primary schedule was set and agreed to by the party delegations from all 50 states and the districts and territories that hold Democratic primaries. However, in a quest for "relevance" in choosing the party nominee, Michigan's and Florida's state delegations decided to ignore their agreement and obligation to the other states, and try to jump the gun by moving their primary dates up.

The national party, understandably nonplussed, warned both states against moving up their primaries. They told them over and over again that they were risking the prospect that their state delegations would not be seated at the convention. Michigan and Florida went ahead anyway. These are the natural consequences of their actions; a responsible parent would do the same thing with an erring 7-year-old, except a 7-year-old is showing a bit more maturity than the Michigan and Florida state delegations.