The implications are profound: Upstart candidates don't have a chance to gain followers state by state by state

California's decision earlier this year to move its presidential primary to Feb. 5 set off a round of competition among states trying to beat each other to the polls that has left us with a national primary in all but name. Yet we have achieved this without deliberation about its consequences or rules to guide the process.

Requiring candidates to launch what is effectively a national campaign ensures that only those who have honed their messages in advance will be able to succeed. No longer will candidates have a chance to experiment with themes that may resonate with the electorate and build momentum state by state. Pre-tested themes will supplant face-to-face contact with voters, giving pollsters and consultants even more weight than they already enjoy. The edge will go even more to candidates able to most successfully court donors and activists in what insiders call the "invisible primary."

http://www.newsday.com/news/opinion/ny-opfow135209668may13,0,7184773.story?coll=ny-viewpoints-headlines

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