Why did the Democrats declare the Florida primary null and void, just because they held the primary early? Why is Iowa allowed to caucus and New Hampshire allowed to hold a primary, both earlier than Florida’s, with impunity?
And why didn’t the Republicans take a similar position?
Because that’s the way they do it. Seriously, the Dems have decided to try and keep the early states as the ones that are early, Michigan and Florida violated those rules and are paying the cost. NH and Iowa, and S Carolina and Nevada were chosen to be the first few (by history and decision) and the Dems are trying to keep it that way. The Republicans have decided differently.
The Republicans only took half the delegates from Florida and Michigan away. They’re not tough on crime.
Because they’ve been scheduled that way for a long time. If Florida and Michigan move their primaries forward to make them more important, everyone else will do it too, and eventually we’ll be holding primaries for the next election before the current election takes place.