The delegates currently do not represent the voters. In most states, the delegates represent only themselves, and the party bosses who appointed them.
My preference would be for the candidates to appoint the delegates which they have "won". On the first few ballots, the delegate is bound to vote as the candidate requests, either for the candidate, or to whoever a candidate decides to align with. After some number of ballots, but at least the first 10, the delegates would be freed.
The Kentucky Republican party is an example of a state where the local party "appoints" the delegates. But that's not the case in many other states.
My preference would be for the candidates to appoint the delegates which they have "won". On the first few ballots, the delegate is bound to vote as the candidate requests, either for the candidate, or to whoever a candidate decides to align with. After some number of ballots, but at least the first 10, the delegates would be freed.
I Agree, the candidates should always pick their own delegates. But it's up to the state party to determine the rule and it's our right as voters, if we don't like the rules, to leave the party.
It may come as a surprise to many, but national convention delegates usually have little real effect except to be stage props for a TV show. Also, because it costs $5k - $10k, the pool of people willing to be delegates is much smaller than most imagine.
For every delegate that might actually receive a government contract or some other reward, there are 20 or so for whom the financial balance sheet is all negative.
No one who has first hand knowledge of delegates and the process over a few election cycles believes delegates get bribed.