re: Primaries continue toward the front end
The more the process is compressed, the more likely candidates of either party will win or lose on short-term ephemeral factors rather than a more extensive winnowing and consideration.
I'm really starting to miss the old smoke-filled room.
Of course, with this being the first election in a long time where neither party has a "given" candidate, it was going to be a zoo no matter what.
It's ironic to think that if Gore were president, Lieberman--currently Public Enemy Number One for Democrats--would be the most likely candidate.