But even this solution would result in a few states receiving disproportionate attention. Another possibility is to group primaries on several dates so that no single state or group of states will receive disproportionate attention.

The main drawback to this approach is that by having so many states' primaries on the same date, candidates would be unable to campaign state to state and city to city. Consequently, they would be forced to rely heavily on mass-media advertising, giving an even greater advantage to those candidates with the largest war chest and turning elections into fundraising battles rather than old-fashioned stump-debates. For a system of group primaries to work, there would have to be substanial campaign finance reform that would allow legitimate candidates free air time to counter their financial advantage.

If such a system were to be adopted, debates would no longer be small and regional, but national, and topics would be nationally relevant--which is what the president should be focused on. The president should not be pandering to local concerns.

Either of these solutions would make the primary system more nationally relevant and representative. The parties and state legislatures must begin to give serious consideration to such reforms. American democracy would be the better for it.