NC GOP moving to block independents from primaries

[garboon]

http://www.wral.com/news/state/story/6464097/

RALEIGH, N.C. — North Carolina Republican Party leaders are meeting this weekend to decide if they want to continue allowing unaffiliated voters to cast ballots in GOP primaries.
The state party's executive committee is expected to debate a resolution asking the party to limit voters to registered Republicans only, starting in May's primary. Unaffiliated voters have been allowed to participate in GOP primaries since 1988.
Onslow County GOP Chairman Patrick Lamb says a closed primary would ensure more true conservative candidates are nominated.
Party chairman Tom Fetzer says a closed primary would not bode well for Republicans who want to get a majority in the Legislature and re-elect U.S. Sen. Richard Burr. Fetzer says winning is about building coalitions.
Democrats have invited unaffiliated voters to participate in their primary since 1996.



What exactly is a true conservative candidate?
Is he saying conservative = GOP?
Is this paving the road for Palin or Rush to run?

[RJLeeb]

Onslow County GOP Chairman Patrick Lamb says a closed primary would ensure more true conservative candidates are nominated.


I don't agree with that.  In NC, there are many times that third party candidates are MUCH more conservative than GOP candidates. 

A lot of people, like me, are registered as independent precisely because they are disenfranchised by RINOs.

Me thinks this is a way of pushing out those that are upset with the Repubs by not allowing them to vote.

And it means we get more of the same.

The GOP is also why it is so hard for parties like the Constitution Party to actually get on the ballot.

[garboon]

Onslow County GOP Chairman Patrick Lamb says a closed primary would ensure more true conservative candidates are nominated.


I don't agree with that.  In NC, there are many times that third party candidates are MUCH more conservative than GOP candidates. 

A lot of people, like me, are registered as independent precisely because they are disenfranchised by RINOs.

Me thinks this is a way of pushing out those that are upset with the Repubs by not allowing them to vote.

And it means we get more of the same.

The GOP is also why it is so hard for parties like the Constitution Party to actually get on the ballot.

Agreed completely - as a registered unaffiliated voter (I would be to embarrassed to be affiliated with either one;-)

And yes, I voted for Ross Perot years ago - I wonder where we would be now if he had won.....

[artymarty]

Even if this did make it more likely that "conservative" candidates were nominated it seems like it would make it less likely that GOP candidates would be elected!  Allowing unaffiliated voters to vote in the primary seems like it would raise the likelihood that the candidate will appeal to unaffiliated voters, because it's probably going to be the candidate that attracted their votes in the primary.

[garboon]

Even if this did make it more likely that "conservative" candidates were nominated it seems like it would make it less likely that GOP candidates would be elected!  Allowing unaffiliated voters to vote in the primary seems like it would raise the likelihood that the candidate will appeal to unaffiliated voters, because it's probably going to be the candidate that attracted their votes in the primary.

And what is wrong with that?

[chrstnhsbndfthr]

This could be a serious conversation, if you actually desire it.  I have some mixed feelings on it.  

We need to reach out to everyone. There are sound reasons why everyone, from every group, should be voting for good government and at least in my mind, that means honest, conservative, Republicans.  We certainly want to reach out to people all across the spectrum and grow both the party and good government.  

There is a problem in letting one's adversaries pick their opponent though. Liberals crossing lines to pick weaker candidates is known to happen.  Yes, it might happen when someone has to actually register as a Republican, but it is less likely and it takes more planning on their part.  

A closed primary allows there to be two clear choices for the electorate. It allows a party to choose someone that truly represents their values and their ideals.  The open primary allows a diluted influence and may lead to less clear choices.

Although it MIGHT lead to outreach, it might also lead to candidates bearing the Republican banner who do not actually agree with Republican ideals.  That is both bad for the party and bad for the country.

[garboon]

This could be a serious conversation, if you actually desire it.  I have some mixed feelings on it.  

We need to reach out to everyone. There are sound reasons why everyone, from every group, should be voting for good government and at least in my mind, that means honest, conservative, Republicans.  We certainly want to reach out to people all across the spectrum and grow both the party and good government.  

There is a problem in letting one's adversaries pick their opponent though. Liberals crossing lines to pick weaker candidates is known to happen.  Yes, it might happen when someone has to actually register as a Republican, but it is less likely and it takes more planning on their part.  

A closed primary allows there to be two clear choices for the electorate. It allows a party to choose someone that truly represents their values and their ideals.  The open primary allows a diluted influence and may lead to less clear choices.

Although it MIGHT lead to outreach, it might also lead to candidates bearing the Republican banner who do not actually agree with Republican ideals.  That is both bad for the party and bad for the country.

I vote for the person and not the party - It would be wrong to vote for candidates just to mess with the other party - this is indeed a problem though.  That being said, unaffiliated has to mean exactly that - I have not interest in the success of either party but the country as a whole.  The more that candidates stick to the party line, the less they distinguish themselves from each other making it any republican will do or any democrat will do - what would the difference be?

This goes right into the whole gerrymandering discussion - another form of vote rigging carried out by both parties that distorts the democratic process to the detriment of the country.

[chathambooks]

I do not support Closed Primaries for the NCGOP. With many unhappy conservative Democrats and certainly knowing that unaffiliated voters and Independents are looking for restraint in government spending and taxation we cannot afford to close our Primaries.

I can tell you that those who are voting are split pretty much down the middle.

As long as the Dems are doing this, we cannot afford to close it off - particularly in Chatham County. Our Party should take responsibility for recruiting Conservative candidates.

[Muddylaces]

I do not support Closed Primaries for the NCGOP. With many unhappy conservative Democrats and certainly knowing that unaffiliated voters and Independents are looking for restraint in government spending and taxation we cannot afford to close our Primaries.

I can tell you that those who are voting are split pretty much down the middle.

As long as the Dems are doing this, we cannot afford to close it off - particularly in Chatham County. Our Party should take responsibility for recruiting Conservative candidates.

Chathambooks, I support this.   Independents voting in out primary is the reason why we got John McCain instead of Mitt Romney.   This will give the voters in November a true choice.     I mean really who many issues did Obama and McCain have in common?   Cap&tax, Tarp come to mind.   

...but I will say, same day switching parties should be allowed.   And I'd get rid of the unconstitutional early voting. 

[Keith_Brown]

I do not support Closed Primaries for the NCGOP. With many unhappy conservative Democrats and certainly knowing that unaffiliated voters and Independents are looking for restraint in government spending and taxation we cannot afford to close our Primaries.

I can tell you that those who are voting are split pretty much down the middle.

As long as the Dems are doing this, we cannot afford to close it off - particularly in Chatham County. Our Party should take responsibility for recruiting Conservative candidates.

Chathambooks, I support this.   Independents voting in out primary is the reason why we got John McCain instead of Mitt Romney.   This will give the voters in November a true choice.     I mean really who many issues did Obama and McCain have in common?   Cap&tax, Tarp come to mind.   

...but I will say, same day switching parties should be allowed.   And I'd get rid of the unconstitutional early voting. 

Why do you say early voting is unconstitutional?  I haven't heard of any challenges to it.  I can't recall the last time I voted on Election Day.

[Muddylaces]

Article II section.1. paragraph 4 says "the Congress may determine the Time of chusing the Electors,and the Day on which they shall give their votes; which Day shall be the same throughout the United States"

[bobsyouruncle]

It sounds to me as if that sentence is referring to the day on which the Electoral College votes since it first mentions choosing the Electors.

[Keith_Brown]

It sounds to me as if that sentence is referring to the day on which the Electoral College votes since it first mentions choosing the Electors.

Monday after the second Wednesday in December, according to Wiki.

    It seems to me that early voting is covered under the umbrella allowing absentee voting.   If you disallow early voters, whose votes are cast but not counted until Election Day, you have to disallow all absentee votes. 

[chathambooks]

Primaries to stay open. Good stuff

[Muddylaces]

Primaries to stay open. Good stuff

Well that means our next nominee will be.....Mike Huckabee. 

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