The Republicans were Wrong to Cancel the Presidential Primaries

 
   A party official explained to me the reason Republicans canceled the Utah presidential primary and replaced it with with caucuses was to attract more people to discuss the other races. I appreciate his taking time to explain this, but remain displeased with the canceling of the primary.
   My home state, Idaho, also canceled its primary in favor of caucuses, as did a number of other states. The number of people participating in the nominating process dropped off significantly. This almost assuredly will happen in Utah this week.
   There are advantages to caucusing. Among them, the sense of community that results from being together on caucus night. But, it also definitely discourages participation. Many do not want to sit through the long discussions. They just want to get in and vote and be on their way.
  Not always, but sometimes the caucus is but opportunity for party leaders to steer things to the candidates they want. Such meetings are sometimes dominated by participants loyal to party officials, and they use the moment to persuade people to vote the party line -- to support candidates who support the party line. Those who are not as deep into politics usually sit back and listen, afraid they lack the knowledge to participate in the discussion. We give the upper hand to political machines when we use caucuses.
   Democracy is better served with primaries. Let's not cancel them so political machines have more power. Political machines do not belong in Utah.