Reply #9: Actually, Carter

[TayTay]

the reforms were too new to affect McGovern and that '72 race. The modern primary structure really starts with Carter, becuase he was an unknown who came out of nowhere to get the nomination. He never would have gotten the nomination under the old 'smoked-filled backrooms' time of machine bosses.

Conventions themselves are far less interesting. This pisses off the press which wants fights and inside gossip and such. But this was a democratic reform that put the power to decide the nominees of the party in the hands of the grassroots. It was a good thing, even if it means 'the grand old men' of the Party can't select the nominees.

Strange, but the democratic reforms now have to be re-reformed. Because the people don't feel they have enough input. Hmmm, and this is because, well, Iowa and New Hampshire have too much democratic control. Well, if that don't beat all. Democracy bulges at one end and contracts at others. Hmmmm.