The problem with one big primary is that we'll be picking candidates who look good on tee vee. The reason why Iowa matters and should matter is, it obliges the candidates to get out and meet actual people. it also slows the process down enough for second thoughts and changed minds to be a factor. Rudy Giuliani, for instance, was a big deal about two weeks ago --now not so much. Hitch would like to take credit for that, and I'd be happy to give it to him if he deserved it, but Iowa is the reason.

If it's just one big primary, then the MONEY PRIMARY that happens in the year running up to it will be the REAL primary. Then, much more than now, it will be easy for big money to buy bigger influence. Right now, a few thousand bucks can buy millions of dollars' worth of advantage. The "system" you geniuses are advocating will accelerate that effect, and in the name of "democracy" you will have removed the people from the process, pretty much completely.