Head Strong: Sorry, but for me, the party is over

Philadelphia Inquirer ^ | 2/21/2010 | Michael Smerconish

[americanophile]

"And just suppose that for one office I feel the better man is Democrat, and for another office the better man is Republican??"

Then get a write in ballot and put down whoever you want.

[Wonder Warthog]

"Then get a write in ballot and put down whoever you want."

Which isn't possible where I live. So what you basically mean is "you can't vote...tough shit". Fortunately, the voters of Washington State had the wisdom the pass the "Top Two" primary system, which originated in Louisiana, so we independents had to lose our franchise for only a couple of election cycles.

I'm in a better position than most to understand why "party primaries" are BAD, because I am from Louisiana. I lived through and watched the changeover in Louisiana from a "closed primary" to "top two open primary" system and saw the death blow that the open primary gave to party corruption. Now having moved to Washington, I watched and lived through the change from "open primary" to "closed primary", so I've seen it from both directions.

Closed primaries aid and abet political corruption....period!

[americanophile]

"Then get a write in ballot and put down whoever you want." Which isn't possible where I live. So what you basically mean is "you can't vote...tough shit".

No, I just don't understand why it would be unavailable to you. Washington law makes specific provisions for write-in balloting.

"Closed primaries aid and abet political corruption....period!"

They also protect a party's constitutional right of free association.