AZ-Sen. 2010: State GOP looking to close its primary to independents (impact on McCain?)

The Arizona Daily Star, Tucson, Ariz. ^ | 2010-02-19 | Rhonda Bodfield

[rabscuttle385]

Lawyers for the state Republican Party are huddling to try to find out how they can close their primary election.

Republican leaders who attended a mandatory state meeting last month voted to put a halt to the state's quasi-open primary system. Voters in 1998 approved allowing independents and voters in minor parties to vote in the Democratic or Republican primary.

The move is coming at a time of heightened interest in the Republican primary. The Democratic ballot will be relatively tame compared with the GOP, where voters will make picks in high-profile races, like the McCain-Hayworth Senate match, and the gubernatorial and congressional races.

"Some are concerned because they're afraid of disenfranchising independents - and that is a real concern - but in reality, what's probably more important is that the Republican primary reflects what the Republicans want," said local party chairman Bob Westerman. "And if you're opening up that decision to people in other parties, you're not getting that."

[rabscuttle385]

[mewzilla]

Forget a third party.

We need a SECOND one.

[US Navy Vet]

:-)! The good news just keeps on comin’ first Lautenburg now this.

[kingattax]

a republican primary where only registered republicans can vote ?

why in the heck should that be a problem ?

[cripplecreek]

I’m guessing that independents will take their anger out on the establishment candidate.

[Sybeck1]

The Laut?

[GonzoGOP]

This kind of thing would be very important in getting rid of the RINO infection that is a plague on the Republican Party. Here in Illinois we are plagued by RINOs because the libs cross over and vote in the GOP primary. We got a decent governor candidate this time because the Dem primary was closely contested so there wasn't as much cross over. Unfortunately our Senate candidate makes the term RINO seem inadequate.

[RobbyS]

John McCain

[GonzoGOP]

The Laut?

Cancer, I don't even wish that one on my worst enemies.

[manc]

all of our primaries should be open to just republicans

I am fed up of those who are not having a say in our primary, look at NH, if it were just republicans we would nto have had amnesty

[b4its2late]

U.S. Sen. Frank Lautenberg is diagnosed with cancer

[US Navy Vet]

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2454963/posts

[Grunthor]

“AZ-Sen. 2010: State GOP looking to close its primary to independents”

I’m guessing that backstabbing prick with the fat cow of a daughter is NOT happy with these developments!

[US Navy Vet]

I would.

[rabscuttle385]

Payback’s a real b-tch, ain’t it, McCain?

[Titus Quinctius Cincinnatus]

I think this is a great move. If you don’t want to join the Party, then don’t think you get to help make decisions for the Party. Simple common sense, people. I don’t get to help the Elks or the Masons decide who their officers will be.

[stephenjohnbanker]

Amen!

[Interesting Times]

This has to happen all across the country, if conservatives are to wrench control of the Republican Party away from the RINOs.

[Above My Pay Grade]

This would clearly help Hayworth and hurt McCain. Sounds like it is up to the state officials or courts to make the decision as to whether the change can be made.

In general, I think it is NUTS for either party to allow non-members to vote in primaries. I guess there MIGHT be something to the idea that allowing independents to vote in them, helps you in the general election, but I don’t think that justifies it.

Leaving it up to the parties to decide is one thing but certainly no state should ever require open primaries.

[AuntB]

"Forget a third party. We need a SECOND one. "

LOL..Indeed!