Posted on 07/22/2014 5:11:38 AM PDT by cotton1706
Sen. Chuck Schumer is calling for abolishing partisan primaries, saying the current system engenders unhealthy political polarization.
“The partisan primary system, which favors more ideologically pure candidates, has contributed to the election of more extreme officeholders and increased political polarization,” the New York Democrat wrote in a New York Times op-ed published Monday evening. “It has become a menace to governing.”
Schumer said that partisan primaries embolden “the 10 percent at each of the two extremes of the political spectrum” and pointed to House Majority Leader Eric Cantor’s surprise loss to Dave Brat, a political novice who ran to the right of Cantor and had the support of the tea party.
In his op-ed piece, Schumer said that partisan primaries have had a particularly pernicious impact on the Republican Party, “where centrists and moderates are increasingly rare.“
Schumer instead called for the country to adopt a “top two” primary system like that in California, where all voters regardless of party cast ballots in a primary election and the top two vote-getters proceed to a general election runoff. Such a system, the senator writes, would force candidates to appeal to the broader electorate as opposed to a small segment on the ideological fringe.
The system in California, he said, has been “a moderating influence on both parties and a salutary effect on the political system and its ability to govern.”
(Excerpt) Read more at politico.com ...
The threat of primaries on the republican side has made life very difficult for Harry Reid and Chuck Schumer. For moderate republicans have given democrats cover for years, and they provide votes for cloture when they need them.
That's why the democrats come out to protect Lindsey Graham, Thad Cochran, etc.
Gee Chuck, let’s just get rid of the damned elections altogether then. I mean I’m sure you’d be for that if you were selected by the powers that be to be a Senator, wouldn’t you?
Scheming duplicitous, low down scum sucking bottom dwelling, pandering cheat and liar!
‘the current system engenders unhealthy political polarization’
The Democrats and their Media are hyper-partisan. Class warfare is tearing our country apart. But Dems NEVER accept responsibility for any of their destruction. Only R’s should vote in the R primary and only D’s should vote in the D primary.
ESAD Schmuckie, you worthless fascist.
What Schumer really means is that we are having an impact, and they don’t like it.
The RNC, the NRSC and all the incumbents’ “war chests” are being emptied in these primaries. And it’s gonna take a lot of rubber chicken fundraising dinners to replenish them, which leaves less time to cobble together bad legislation in their plush apartments.
Chuckles has a point
single party states are SO much more efficient at carrying out “the will of the people” (aka mob rule)
just ask Cuba, North Korea, China, Syria (where Assad just won a 3rd 7-year term: he wont the popular vote)
totalitarian states don’t need no steenkin’ opposition
party
Chuck Schumer is simply the worst of the worst of partisan democRATS. He presents himself as the champion of the mainstream, yet he is sooooo far to the left it is incomprehensible.
Schumer has never worked a real job, not a day in his life. He has sucked at the tit of government every day of his adult life.
NYS Assemblyman at age 23 after graduation (JD and passing the Bar Exam)
NYS Senator
US Congresscritter
US Senator
This POS has never had to work at anything. He’s not stupid, and actually is highly intelligent (1600 SAT). Just hyper-partisan marxist.
You go first, dems...
Then get back to us in 10 years and let us know how it’s working out for you.
So thoughtful of Chuck U. to express such concern over the welfare of people he considers blood enemies.
FlJoePa: End Chuck Schumer
The broad road to single party totalitarianism.
Al D’Amato was right, Schumer IS a putz!
What would hell-on-earth be like? It would be living under the governmant and in the society that Chuck Schumer wants. Everytime he opens his mouth he voices an opinion that, if enacted, would diminish freedom. He’s the best argument for term limits and one of the reasons to leave New York.
I fully agree with Charlie. He needs to step down immediately.
...and it leads to Washington DC, home of the Uniparty.
You're understating!
They saw the damage they can exact in Mississippi with Thad and gang. Open primaries would destroy this nation.
Or just let Schmuckie or a Dem committee pick their opponents!
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.