Although demonstrations in the convention hall had some effect on the outcome, the party leadership still exercised a great deal of influence and made various back room deals. As more state delegations came to be chosen in primaries, the importance of conventions diminished. As recently as 1960, the five men pursuing the Democratic nomination faced only seven primaries, and only two of them were significant. John Kennedy's good showing in those primaries led to his nomination. By the 1980s, every state chose its delegates in a primary or caucus.
Primaries are the most democratic system, but also the most expensive and time-consuming.
But that's the system we have today, and it is doubtful we will go back to a system where party leader choose the nominee instead of the voters. I'm Kerby Anderson of Probe Ministries, and that's my opinion. Kerby Anderson is the president of Probe Ministries International. He received his B.S. from Oregon State University, M.F.S. from Yale University, and M.A. from Georgetown University. Signs of Warning, Signs of Hope, and Moral Dilemmas .