For the very good reason that the Republican nominee in an election should be someone supported by Republicans, not someone supported by a few liberal Republicans, a bunch of independents, and some Democrats who crossed over. Not many here would be happy if an open primary gave McCain or Giuliani the Republican nomination. Even worse are the elections where people cross over to intentionally support the weaker candidate in the opposing party's primary.
Exactly. Presumably, the parties want to select the candidates favored by their memebers, not the results of political shenanigans.
SD
If the parties want a "party exclusive election process", then THEY SHOULD PAY FOR IT. If it's supported by tax dollars, it should be open to all taxpayers.
This happened in this very primary for Republican candidate for the Texas House district 62 seat. There were two candidates - very conservative incumbent Larry Phillips, and liberal democrat Charlie Williams who switched parties just in time for the election. Dems. haven't had much luck in these parts in the last few years, so they're trying new tactics.
Party registration in the district is pretty evenly split between (D) and (R), but in this election, around 11,000 voted as (R), and only 1,500 as (D). There are reports of a conspiracy for (D)'s to register as (R) in an attempt to oust Phillips. Williams was heavily supported by local teachers' unions. My neighbors, who are lifelong (D)'s had Williams signs in their front yard. Phillips won, 55% to 45%. He will now run against some (D) bozo who was unopposed in the (D) primary, and Phillips will get about 2/3 of the vote in Nov.