If they can't win the nomination, they can't be elected. That's the way it's always been.
Yeah, Bobbie probably would have been a better president than Dick, also too.
But that wasn't the choice.
You get to choose between 2 people who have the only chances to sit in the White House. Wishing otherwise is fine and good, but you still only have 2 choices. Choosing against your (and your daughter's and the country's) best interests is not the way to change the system.
The Democratic Party decides what Democratic Party policies are. If you don't like their policy position on X, Y, Z, then get involved in the party and try to change them. Only people who get involved get a say. Purity ponies who throw their vote away or sit the election out don't change party policies.
Cheers,
Scott.