On Sun, 5 Jan 2003 15:58:46 -0800 (PST) Alex Small wrote:
Dave Ketchum said:Bad enough for the major parties - could destroy smaller parties such as the Greens, where there are more available outsiders than members - giving the outsiders control over who gets nominated to "represent" the Greens.How would a privately-run closed primary give outsiders control over the party?
I was responding to the first half of a previous paragraph, where the topic was open primaries.
You originally objected that a privately-held primary wouldn't workSending volunteers to voter groups with known biases also destroys ability to see what party members desire.
because a national party can't get all of its members to the convention. I pointed out that party activists could distribute ballots among involved
party members.
I never said a privately held primary could not work.
I said that a statewide convention of all members would be impractical in a big state.
I believe major parties do manage statewide private primaries in some states. Minor parties might manage to do this via mail ballots.
If it is supposed to be a decision of the ENTIRE party, then ALL the members need to be allowed to be in on the decision.
The part about sending volunteers to core constituencies was more of a jibe at the parties than a serious suggestion. The GOP complained in 2000 because I, an independent at the time, had the audacity to support a conservative Republican veteran who opposed letting Bill Clinton rent out the Lincoln bedroom. If they are concerned about being corrupted by any hint of outside thought then they can restrict the primaries to people with known biases so they never again face the awful prospect of different ideas.
I repeat what I said about all party members being in on a party decision.
--Alex
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Dave Ketchum 108 Halstead Ave, Owego, NY 13827-1708 607-687-5026
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If you want peace, work for justice.
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