Only Democrats should vote in Democratic Primaries

[BL611]

This is maybe the worst argument ever.

In most states people must re register as Democrats when they vote (and then re register as independent after they vote), so when they vote they are technically Democrats just like anyone else. The fact that certain states' parties have registration rules that allow independents to re register same day is perfectly legitimate and up to the party (where is the outrage against same day registration, "letting all those non voters vote?"). Who is anyone to say who gets to be a Democrat and who doesn't. Any conservative person could conceivably register as a Democrat to disrupt an election and vice versa, people don't do it, because most feel that it is better to vote for the strongest candidate in the party they identify with than the weakest candidate in the party they don't identify with. There is no evidence that most independent/Republican Obama voters are doing it to put up a "weak" Democratic candidate (Is that why they wait 3 hours to get into his rally's also?). To hold it against Obama that he can bring people into the Democratic Party would be akin to conseravtives complaining about all those "Reagan Democrats" who helped lead to a generation long conservative ascendance.

[stillcool]

1. and those young'uns...

are messing up the process also..they don't know enough to vote...more evidence of dumb Americans. Sometimes you just can't win.

[SteppingRazor]

4. That's sarcasm, right?

Please tell me that's sarcasm.

[BL611]

5. I'm pretty

sure it was.

[SteppingRazor]

7. Me too. The fact that I'm not sure says a lot about GD and GD: Politics these days.

(insert heavy sigh here)

[stillcool]

10. yeah...I should really start...

using that tag thing....considering I am repeating what I've been reading....:banghead:

[sentelle]

2. and in some cases

Some states have no mechanisms to regisister Political parties at all.

I live in Washington State. When I register to Vote, its to vote. There is no form or line to register for a political party.

So does that mean I should be left out of the political process?

[HeraldSquare212]

3. Besides, the latest (and last) Zogby NH shows him winning Dems

http://tpmelectioncentral.com/2008/01/final_zogby_poll_obama_ahead_in_nh_by_13.php

Some commentary from John Zogby: "Obama’s margin over Clinton has opened up. He leads among all groups except women and voters over 65. In a development that could prove significant in later closed-primary states, Obama has pulled ahead among Democrats 40% to 34% — as he did in Iowa in the closing hours."

[OHdem10]

6. I have believed this all along. There have been days recently

that I felt like simply dropping out of anything having to
do with Politics. We are letting totally unkowns choose
our candidate. Barnes at Fox said there were Republicans
in Iowa who changed their vote for the Primary. They plan
to immediately change back so that they can vote Republican
in the General Election. Why would they do this. Two explanations.
Some actually wanted to do a good hearted thing and vote for
a black man.(assuage guilt I guess). Others pure and simple
wanted to stop HRC. They believe if they could knock her
out in the Primary, Obama will be easier to beat in the General.
I am not saying they are right or wrong. I am reporting
what I have heard from TV Reporting.

This letting Independents choose the Democratic Nominee is
maddening for some of us. In California, Dems let Indies
help choose. GOP is closed. On Republicans can vote.

Independents are not that committed. if they were, they would
join a party and work for change if they do not like the
way things are done. My opinion. There are so many first
time voters and it has been reported--have no idea of issues
just the person. Yes, alot of independents are people disgusted
with both parties. Here is the rub. In a few states they
can vote in primary. In Majority of states they cannot. How
can they change things????
C

[BL611]

9. There is no obligation

to play an "active" role in your party. Most registered Democrats do not play an active role. Voting is a first step to active participation, if you want to bemoan people finally engaging in the political system, maybe democracy is not the right system for you...

[liberal N proud]

8. The catch there is party converts

How do you accommodate someone who wants to convert a from republicon part to Democratic party?

Even where there are mechanisms for people to register one part or the other. They make it just as easy to switch that party affiliation prior to the primary.
Then the day after the primary they go back to the BOE and change the affiliation back to their party of choice.

[BL611]

11. So do you suggest

that people should only get to change their party once every 10 years or something like that? I'm sorry this is a ridiculous argument being put fourth by people whose candidate is floundering.

[liberal N proud]

12. No, that is not the answer

I am just saying it is impossible to stop what is happening. Cross-overs to vote in the other parties primary to effect the outcome happens.
It happens both ways.
There is nothing we can do to stop it if we are going to allow people to switch parties at all.

[featherman]

13. Only Democrats should vote in the General Election

Now that's a theme I could get behind.

Here in CA INDs can vote on the Dem side (open) but not on the GOP side That's a little bizarre. There really isn't a lot of rhyme or reason to primary/caucus rules. Each is a little different. That's the way it is, like it or not.