and it's the inevitable endpoint of the Clintons' anti-caucus argument.

The Democratic primary process ISN'T an election.  It's a series of contests to select a candidate.  As a part of that, contests are held that gauge broad support on the level of just voting (primaries) as well as broad support of more commitment and effort (caucuses).  It measures both base (closed contests) and wider appeal (open and semi-open contests).

It measures both the ability to campaign widely at the same time (SuperTuesday) and the ability to focus on states (the 6-month season).

And then we use delegates to allocate, because if we did it by popular vote, every state would want an open primary, so as to not reduce their importance.

The Clinton Camp has been pushing the idea that this is an election, and it's all about the popular vote total.  Of course, if it were so -- we'd have a consistent method, a consistent voter screen, and a single date.