The Fault Line Between Parties and Voters

-- Is there a role for superdelegates, party leaders and elected officials to mediate the popular choice? Democrats created superdelegates in the aftermath of the 1972 George McGovern debacle and 1976 election of outsider Jimmy Carter.

-- Should delegates be required to vote for the candidate that voters in their state backed, and, if so, through how many ballots? Republican Party rules bind most delegates on the first ballot. Democrats' rules -- following Ted Kennedy's unsuccessful bid to free delegates committed to incumbent Jimmy Carter in 1980 -- are slightly looser, requiring delegates to "in good conscience reflect the sentiments of those who elected them."

Ironically, the Republican party's approach -- winner-take-all states; no superdelegates; binding first-ballot votes -- works in Trump's favor, notwithstanding his bellyaching.

Will the legacy of 2016 be to further empower voters -- or the GOP reasserting control to prevent future Trumps? Political scientist Marty Cohen, co-author of "The Party Decides," said Republicans would do better to nominate Trump -- and use the ensuing disaster to tighten control.

"They can say this is what happens when the voters are left to their own devices ... and make sure it doesn't happen again," Cohen said.

Maybe, although the party might be wary of further inflaming grass-roots voters, and the history of rules changes suggests the likelihood of unintended consequences -- as with the GOP's move this year to shorten the period during which it required that delegates be awarded proportionately. The intent was to produce a nominee faster, but the tweak ended up fueling Trump.

In the meantime, don't be fooled. Trump's real gripe isn't with the rules. It's with himself, and how badly prepared he was to exploit them.

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Ruth Marcus' email address is ruthmarcus@washpost.com.