Primaries

[SmallTown]

Some states, such as Va, have open primaries. Meaning you need not be a member of that party to vote in the primary. Do you guys think it is a good thing, or a bad thing? Some argue that Va's current governor used this process to further his agenda, and there have been other "conflict on interest" stories from other states. Should all states do away with open primaries?

Yes, this should be a poll but it is 6am and I'm lazy.

[Ken King (Premo)]

Originally posted by SmallTown
Some states, such as Va, have open primaries. Meaning you need not be a member of that party to vote in the primary. Do you guys think it is a good thing, or a bad thing? Some argue that Va's current governor used this process to further his agenda, and there have been other "conflict on interest" stories from other states. Should all states do away with open primaries?

Yes, this should be a poll but it is 6am and I'm lazy.

Not sure about the open primary, but why not have all primaries on the same day so that all candidates are still around come election day.

[huntr1]

Originally posted by Ken King
why not have all primaries on the same day so that all candidates are still around come election day.

Why let N.H. and them have all the fun. Personally I think every Democrat that originally wanted to vote for anyone OTHER than Kerry or Edwards should go and vote for Sharpton. Just for spite.

[Dymphna]

Originally posted by huntr1
Why let N.H. and them have all the fun. Personally I think every Democrat that originally wanted to vote for anyone OTHER than Kerry or Edwards should go and vote for Sharpton. Just for spite.

If that happens, he's liable to get the nomination.

[willie]

If I were to take advantage of an open primary, I'd vote for Sharpton.

[SmallTown]

Ok. I take those as two reasons not to have open primaries

[Dymphna]

Question: Does VA have wide open primaries, where anyone can vote in either the Republican or the Democratic primary, or is it just that non-affiliated voters can pick a party to vote in?

If the primaries are wide open, the Supreme Ct has knocked those down as illegal several times, and I'm inclined to agree with them. Otherwise, people would cross party lines to vote for the lamest candidate on the other side, to try to get their guy to win in the general.

If it's just that they are allowing Independants to vote, on the one hand, they should suck it up and pick a party if they want to vote in the primaries. OTOH, new voters, unsure of what politics are all about should be allowed time to form solid positions without being disenfranchised.

[SmallTown]

Originally posted by cmcdanal
Question: Does VA have wide open primaries, where anyone can vote in either the Republican or the Democratic primary, or is it just that non-affiliated voters can pick a party to vote in?

Wide open

[rraley]

Personally I believe that primaries should be open because a candidate wins a general election by winning their own party, independents, and some of the opposing party. Open primaries are more reflective of what the general election will be like, thus a party will truly pick a better suited candidate to win in a general election. Not only that, but it will allow millions of independents have a say in the electoral process.

I know one thing though here. The front-loaded primary schedule that the Democratic Party used this time around is awful. Because of it, my party will nominate the worse of two viable candidates and as a result, our nation may have half a trillion dollar deficits for the next four years. Way to go my fellow Democrats.