Posted on 03/06/2014 6:55:52 AM PST by A'elian' nation
Almost half of the states have open primaries. Why do states like Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Mississippi, South Carolina, and Texas have open republican primaries? It's like having a death wish to turn purple, blue, and asphyxiated by democrat and independent voters.
One of the first things the Tea Party needs to do is turn more states into closed primaries. The theory is that open primaries will bring more voters to our tent. I don't buy it. Or maybe the republican brand name is so bad that people don't want to register as republicans and be stigmatized. But then you would think the GOP in California would have open primaries, but theirs are closed.
I believe RINO politicians like the open primaries to keep them in office. That seems sensible but then why do so many southern states have open primaries where RINOS are almost extinct? It's befuddling. I don't see what is to be gained by having open primaries to voters that can sabotage our tea candidates?
Am hoping there are some Freepers out there that can enlighten me. Meanwhile here is a chart of the states with open and closed primaries.
http://grassrootsidgop.wordpress.com/list-of-states-with-open-and-closed-primaries/
Why do states like Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Mississippi, South Carolina, and Texas have open republican primaries?
That is so true. I could see purple states but not deep red or even deep blue for that matter.
How many Democrats voted so that the Republicans would be stuck with McCain, Dole, ....?
Open primaries are an open invitation to sabotage. The Republican Party must be able to control its own processes, for pete’s sake!!
So democrats can cross over and select the weakest possible candidate for the republicans, DUH!!!
The few dimwits I know admitted to voting for Cornyn in the primary since they know true conservatives are trying to oust him. I don’t know if that is a statewide trend. I don’t doubt that they didn’t do this for McLame and Mittens. The dim primaries are usually just one candidate anyway or at least a front runner and a long shot. Rush may have opened Pandora’s Box with his Operation Chaos for Shillary.
I was shocked when I moved to an open primary state. Having come from the left coast and the republic of fruits, nuts, and flakes I figured my new state would have more sense. Nope. I guess they don’t care who votes for whom.
Open primaries allow for mischief that is usually driven by some leftie disguised as a conservative.
I live in Virginia, an open primary State. Also, I am a County Republican Chairman.
Open primaries exist because establishment Republicans want independents and Democrats to vote in their primaries, as the winners are more liberal.
In Virginia, Senator John Warner won the open primaries when he was challenged. He would have lost his seat had the primaries been closed.
To close the primaries, we need to replace the liberal leaders in the State party organizations.
When I moved from Texas to NY, I was SHOCKED that I had to declare a party to register to vote. Then, I found out that, if you want to change parties, you have to wait a YEAR before voting in the new party.
Now back in Texas and getting my card stamped as to which party’s ballot I voted.
Pros and Cons to both - I guess I wouldn’t mind closed primaries if there was more mobility.
Here in Michigan we have open primaries but you can only vote for one party on a ballot. In the coming election it should be fine because of the big open seats and uncrowded fields on both sides.
If participatory democracy is such a great thing, why not allow an individual to vote in both primaries in the same year? Couldn't someone make the argument that since both primaries affect me that I should have the right to vote in both?
I'm not advocating this but just trying to push the underlying thinking to its extreme. In the last decade, I think that we've all seen the unthinkable become normal in our society.
Precisely
That year long wait is a NY thing
I only had that experience to go by - NY is SOOOO messed up!
My understanding is, the parties agreed to it because they wanted to foist the cost of running elections off onto the taxpayer, and Primaries that are closed to the taxpayers who aren’t in the parties would be anathema.
The Parties brought the negative results upon themselves, and they can’t go back unless they’re willing to foot the bills for the elections, and even then a very vocal minority of “Independent” (stop laughing) voters will fight it tooth and nail. “It’s. Not. Fair! {sob}”
A good reason not to be there. :)
“we need to replace the liberal leaders in the State party organizations.”
Hard to believe there would be a lot of liberal leaders needing replacement in the southern states I mentioned. Is it like Cyper Liberty mentioned - that if it was a closed primary the party has to pay for the election, but if it is open all the taxpayers pay for it ?
Do you recall a state changing its primaries to open or closed periodically? How often does a primary revert to one or the other?
“I am from Canada, I have always been baffled by the primary process.”
With the way we have mucked up our elections, I am liking your parliamentary system more and more. I’d love to actually see Prime Minister Question hour on the floor of our capital. Our leaders never really have to confront each other in reasoned debate - a great failing of our system.
Because the electorate in open primaries more closely resembles the electorate in general elections, so the candidate who wins the open primary is more likely to win the general?
Plus, in those states that you mentioned open primaries -- until rather recently -- mean conservative Democrats voting in Republican primaries.
Arguably, there was a day when open primaries could have meant more conservative Republican nominees, rather than fewer.
Either there is a large conservative voting bloc outside registered GOP voters that will go with more conservative candidates in the primary and general election or there isn't.
If there is, then you'll get more conservative nominees and representatives. If there isn't, you won't. A closed primary won't change that.
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