What is the major purpose of a primary elections?

Answer 1

When this country was founded, and for quite a while afterward, the major parties would pick their candidates behind closed doors. The general public really didn't get a say in the selection of candidates.
Primary elections are a way for the Democratic and Republican parties (and others) to say to the electorate: We want to have a single candidate that we can rally behind in November; please help us select that candidate.
If we didn't have primaries and (for example) 2 Republicans ran against one Democrat, the Democrat would probably win because of the votes that the other two would split.
That is why it is always a big deal when we get a third party candidate in November. It is often someone taking more votes from one candidate than the other.

Answer 2

To help weed out the ones how who would not make a good king. Each party humors some of their members and we get to think that we have a choice. In the end the electoral college selects the candidate based on partisan local and state politics. In breaks down to the selection of two candidates who are willing to do the most favors for the most people.

Answer 3

To hash out which candidate is going to represent each major political party... That way both sides can consolidate their political might on a single person rather than divide it up over ten or more candidates.

Answer 4

To weed out any competent candidates and assure that, on election day, the American people get to choose between two nearly indistinguishable party hacks.

Answer 5

I think counting the first one, he's actually one four primaries! Feel free to prove otherwise.

Answer 6

it's so that the party can choose the candidate for the general election.

Answer 7

To make sure you get a chance to vote for Ron Paul.

Answer 8

To see whose popular