Governor (Schwarzenegger) bucks Legislature and GOP in backing new (open) primary system

----Can someone explain to me what's the problem with his idea?----

The problem is that it would transport Louisiana's political system over to California. And if THAT doesn't scare the living daylights out of Californians, then they have no idea what they're in for.

The Democrats love the open-primary system, because it gives them the chance to shut Republicans out of elections altogether. That was the whole idea when Dem governor Edwin Edwards instituted it in La., when the GOP started showing signs of life here in the '70s. It hasn't worked out for them nearly as often as they'd like, but it's still a big danger for Republicans, in more ways than one. It was the open-primary system that allowed David Duke to become the GOP runoff candidate for governor in '91, whereas his political career would rightfully have been DOA in every single other state in the country.

I don't know what the proposal is in California, but Louisiana election laws ALSO require voters to cast a vote in EVERY SINGLE RACE -- or have their ENTIRE ballot thrown out. And when it gets down to run-off elections, that can present one hell of a horrible choice for La. Republicans. For example: There is a very good chance that two Democrats will end up in the run-off positions in my congressional district, shutting the Republicans out of the race. They (the Dem candidates) are both absolute slimebags. However, in that event, I will be FORCED to vote for one or the other in December, in order to also cast a valid ballot for David Vitter for Senate. I'm not aware of any other state that has this form of compulsory voting -- yet.

If Californians know what's good for them, they will bust ass to STOP THIS IDEA NOW.

-Dan

(P.S. McClintock didn't have a chance in hell.)

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