Michigan may not have a primary?

What's up in Michigan? It seems there's the possibility that there would be no primary (for either party)...but rather a caucus/convention format. From Marc Ambinder:

Michigan legislators intend to pass a bill changing the primary date to Jan. 29, and there are ramifications for all the '08ers. Another bill sets the date on Feb. 5. But both state party chairmen -- Dem Mark Brewer and Republican Saul Anuzis -- worry about the glut of larger states holding primaries that day, and want to ensure that their state has influence.

If the legislature doesn't change the date, Brewer and Anuzis might act unilaterally. Because the state wouldn't pay for a primary, the Dems might, under that scenario, hold a caucus and the Republicans would probably hold a convention. A Democratic caucus would benefit candidates who have already organized lots of activists and those who've won the endorsement of the state's powerful labor unions.

A Republican convention would limit participation to all but the most die-hard party regulars -- they tend to be conservative, although an organized coalition of moderates could take advantage of divisions in the right.

VERY interesting... And a look at who may benefit here.

Of course, for me, I've never liked our current primary system anyway...at least when it comes to allowing Democrats and/or Independents to participate, (as in states like here in SC where there is no party registration). The problem is that, when it comes to doing the single most important thing a political party does, nominating candidates to REPRESENT that party, they throw the doors open for any Tom, Dick and Harry to participate.