Open primaries are a BIG Mistake

[Guava Jelly]

It seems that all the polls out (I know polls mean squat) say that Hillary Clinton will lose if she runs against Mccain.
I for one believe this.
So If I was a member of an opposing party I would vote in the primary for the person I felt most likely to lose against my candidate.
It just makes sense.
I must admit I am not a big Hillary fan.
I loved her Husband but hated a few of his policies.(Nafta,Don't ask dont tell)
I am still very angry at Mrs Clinton for a few of her votes that she won't admit were mistakes.
If she wins the nod I will campaign my ass off for her and vote for her.(I am not in love with her but I will do it for the children)
Obama is not my favorite But I believe he has a better chance at stopping Mccain.
Edwards is my favorite of the bunch specially after the last CNN debate/fuss session.

Disclaimer: This isn't a hit piece on Hillary just my own personal punditry.

[MadHound]

1. Living in an open primary state myself,

I must say that I rather like the process. It is actually quite rare for people to cross over for the reasons that you mentioned. Dems are usually focused on getting their candidate in, as are the 'Pugs. It does however let the independents come out to play, but hey, I think that's a good thing, making the elections much more representative of the real world.

[Guava Jelly]

2. I understand the logic behind it.

I am just saying If I could vote in a republican primary I'd vote Romney or Paul just to assure a dem would get the presidency in 2008.
I like to cheat..The republicans are masters of it..see 2000 and 2004

[TreasonousBastard]

3. I don't think all that many people would...

do such a thing.

For one thing, most aren't all that interested in making such calculations. Few enough are all too interested at all.

The main thing, though, is that anyone who starts to think that way soon realizes that it would be all too possible for that "loser" to win. After all, look at the loser we lost to the last two times out.

Nope, unless someone comes up with good evidence otherwise, I'll believe that people who cross over do it because thye actually like someone on the other side.

[Guava Jelly]

4. I hope you are correct

I am quite skeptical myself.
If the Repuke primaries were open in Missouri..I sure would