The Caucuses First Model

Under the caucuses first reform model, states could hold caucuses starting on March 1. However, a state could not hold a primary until after March 31.

Advantages

As noted by the Brock Commission:

Caucus systems tend to be spread over more time than primaries, because national convention delegates are not elected or allocated at the precinct caucus, but at subsequent congressional district or state conventions. The combination of restricting primaries to after March 31 and the spread-out nature of caucuses could feasibly diminish the effect of front-loading.

Early caucuses could also encourage grassroots party activism by mobilizing voters to participate in their precinct caucuses. (Brock 2000, 35)

Disadvantages

Because of the larger time commitment, fewer people are involved in the caucus/convention process. The trend of the 20th century was to open the political system to participation by a greater number of citizens. Like the caucuses-only idea, this one seeks to turn back the clock, albeit to a lesser extent. In any case, it only obliquely addresses what is essentially a scheduling problem that would be best dealt with in a straightforward manner.