True. But you're not going to get the next Reagan by converting to a national primary -- which gives the establishment favorite and the candidate with the most money going in what amounts to an insuperable advantage.
Had the 2012 GOP candidacy been resolved by a national primary, Romney wouldn't have had to break a ssweat. Going in, he had the establishment support and the money to mount a nationwide advertising campaign and build a staff and GOTV effort in enough states to cinch the win.
Rick Santorum eventually finished 2nd...but he did it by going into Iowa on a shoestring, eking out a win, which earned him some morer financial support...which he turned into a win in some Midwestern states...which earned him some more financial support...which got him a few Southeastern states.
In a national primary, he would've eked out a win in Iowa...and that would've been it.
You can safely assume that the next Reagan will probably not be the establishment darling...and he may not have the deepest pockets. The present system provides him with a way to win -- if we conservatives unite behind him early.
Of course, there has to be a "next Reagan" running --- and have you seen anybody actually run that fit that definition over the past five or six election cycles?
“Of course, there has to be a “next Reagan” running -— and have you seen anybody actually run that fit that definition over the past five or six election cycles? “
Yes, I have, but they have gotten no traction in the primaries.