Some reasons why we are better off if the race lasts longer

[eridani]

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/gene-koo/extended-primary-season-c_b_88614.html

So far 2008 has seen unprecedented voter turnout for Democratic party primaries and caucuses. Not only has voter turnout for the Democratic contest often swamped Republican turnout, but the Democratic:Republican turnout ratio has consistently exceeded the 2004 Kerry:Bush vote ratio in every state (with the glaring exceptions of Florida and Michigan). The likelihood that voter turnout will remain high while the Democratic contest remains contested has certain benefits for Democrats on the local and national levels. First, more voters will end up in the campaigns', and often the Party's, databases, either from outreach efforts or the state's Board of Elections. In several states, such as Pennsylvania, participation in the primaries or caucuses requires actual registration in the Party, so both campaigns are busy re-registering voters as Democrats -- a registration that just might stick

Second, Democrats will continue to get massive, free media attention that normalizes their general platform. The continuing coverage of the differences between the Obama and Clinton health care plans sets universal health care as a goal while relatively little is being broadcast against that goal. (In negotiations, injecting a position early into the process is called "anchoring," and evidence suggests that it works). And record-breaking turnout so far suggests that "voter fatigue" is a figment of bored pundits' imagination.

Third, independent or Republican voters who cast their ballots for a Democrat may engage in post-decision rationalization that leads them to confirm their decision as a good one, even if they might otherwise have been on the fence or GOP-leaning. (Salesmen exploit this psychological bias to resolve cognitive dissonance by getting potential customers to make small purchases that pave the way to bigger ones later.) Admittedly, while this effect has been demonstrated for specific candidates, it's questionable whether it might also apply to the entire party.

[FrenchieCat]

1. Yeah....but it's a mixed blessing and I'm not sure if we need

Obama taking all of the fire from all directions.....from Bush, Hillary, McCain and the Press. That's kind of more than one campaign should have to endure.
But yeah......the more organizational structures are set up in the 50 states, and the louder our message is heard, the better off we are!