If they don't rig the primary so a neoliberal will win, then they risk a progressive running, flipping a bunch of red states like Obama in 08, and then they get to set the DNC leadership and party direction.
Which means the current neoliberals with a stranglehold on the party would lose their positions.
They won't get as lucky again as 08 when Obama just ignored them.
DNC leadership care more about themselves then voters or the country.
The only other explanation is because they current just go with whoever can bundle the most money to determine leadership...
Corporations and billionaires are donating to the Dem party along with the Republican party thru the absolute stupidest fundraisers they can find to make voters hate the DNC....
And I just don't think they're that smart.
But the only way the people who pick the next round of DNC leaders isn't the current round of DNC leaders, is when a Dem wins the general.
Which is why even when we do get an ineffectual moderate in, nothing fucking changes because to thank the DNC for getting them to the general, they maintain leadership.
Literally the only way shit gets better is a progressive president
minnesota dfl didn't keep their state house, even though the dfl-led state legislature had been quite productive and a popular, successful dfl governor was on the presidential ticket at the top of the ballot.