Reply #8: It gives candidates without obscene money-making machines a fighting chance.

[Telly Savalas]

It doesn't take nearly as much money to run effective campaigns in just IA and NH as it would to campaign nationwide. Hence it gives second-tier candidates an opportunity to get noticed. Furthermore it puts more emphasis on face-to-face time with real people versus just media appearances.

Obviously, these benefits are offset by the fact that the system essentially disenfranchises millions of Americans in the primaries.