Opponents not rushing to spend against 'top two' primary system

Sacramento Bee ^ | 3/11/10 | Torey Van Oot

[SmithL]

Critics of Proposition 14 are eager to assail the ballot measure that would change California's primary system as a "backroom deal" that would derail the democratic process.

But with less than three months until voters decide whether to abolish party primaries, there is no major campaign to fight the measure, which the Legislature placed on the ballot as part of last year's budget package.

It's starting to look like opponents, including the state Democratic and Republican parties, aren't too eager to put their money where their mouths are.

"What do I care?" asked California Democratic Party Chairman John Burton, a vocal critic of the measure. "The Legislature put it on the ballot. If they think it's a bad idea, I think they ought to fight against it."

Proposition 14 would replace the current party primaries with a "top two" system in which the two candidates who receive the most votes in an open primary, regardless of their party affiliation, advance to a runoff election.

Supporters, including Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and Republican Sen. Abel Maldonado, bill the measure as a pathway to electing more moderate candidates and easing partisan gridlock in Sacramento. Critics counter that eliminating party primaries and write-in candidates would sideline independent and third-party candidates and curtail voter choice in general elections.

Plenty of opponents

The opposition has unified both political parties and interest groups that rarely see eye to eye on political issues, such as teachers and nurses unions and anti-tax groups.

"The Republican Party will work with anyone else who is similarly interested in preserving choice and openness in the political nominating process in California," said state Republican Party Chairman Ron Nehring, who hasn't yet committed any money to the party's effort.

Nehring said the party will likely adopt a rule change at this weekend's party convention preparing...

[antiRepublicrat]

If a group of people wants to get together to nominate someone for an elected position, then that’s their business, that they should use their own time and money to accomplish.

So why does my state and county spend money to run primary ballots? That’s a hell of a racket the main two parties have to unload many of their expenses onto the taxpayer at all levels.

[GeronL]

Stoopid

[MovementConservative]

Pity the 3rd party attention whores. Sell yourself to the public, not the party apparatchik. That’s how we end up with assclowns like Dede Scuzzawhatsherface.