“The GOP has been doing this for what, 4 election cycles now? They have developed the ‘well, who else are they going to vote for?’ syndrome. The fact that there are still many who will hold their noses and vote for the nominee tells me that the GOP is really not wrong in their assessment. I, for one, am done following the party line just so these arrogant idiots can win an election. Let the chips fall.”
Why act as if there is some conspiracy here? People are voting for their preferred candidates, just as voters have done since voting began. Like you, I don’t care for most of their choices, but they do have the right to vote for whomever they prefer, just as you and I do. There is no smoke-filled room deciding these votes. Millions of individuals are making their own decisions. I honor that process, we all place our votes, and someone wins. That’s the system, and it’s not broken just because our preferred candidates don’t win.
But the problem has been, "which people". The primaries, conducted as they are on a state by state basis, front loaded with less conservative states, don't necessarily reflect either "the base" or the party and it's sympathizers (not all states have closed primaries, Texas does not for example you can vote in either, but not both).
Congress has the power to set election dates for elections.
The Times, Places and Manner of holding Elections for Senators and Representatives, shall be prescribed in each State by the Legislature thereof; but the Congress may at any time by Law make or alter such Regulations, except as to the Places of chusing Senators.
Art. 1 Section 4
The Congress may determine the Time of chusing the Electors, and the Day on which they shall give their Votes; which Day shall be the same throughout the United States.
Art II Section 1
Since the Constitution doesn't address parties, it doesn't address primaries, but I think a good case can be made that the primaries, since they are part of the process of "chusing electors" and are those for Congress are certainly are covered by "Regulations" of the states, which Congress can overrule.
We need national primaries. Everyone votes on the same day, under the same rules.
As far as the parties role.. I agree with President Washington.