tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6926413038778731189.post7733160205548998408..comments2023-10-16T07:13:12.123-05:00Comments on A plain blog about politics: Nominations and PartiesJonathan Bernsteinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15931039630306253241noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6926413038778731189.post-49663751351956699452010-08-08T15:01:23.364-05:002010-08-08T15:01:23.364-05:00Zic,
I'm not saying, and I don't think N...Zic, <br /><br />I'm not saying, and I don't think Neil is saying, that direct primaries are the same as multiparty elections; Neil is just saying that they perform a similar function, even if they do it somewhat differently. As for closed primaries...the barrier to entry for participation very low. Yes, someone who chooses to opt out of participation in party politics will be excluded, but as I said, so? That's a choice to not participate, not external exclusion.Jonathan Bernsteinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15931039630306253241noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6926413038778731189.post-33876001957229318142010-08-08T10:52:59.522-05:002010-08-08T10:52:59.522-05:00Jonathan, you've promoted the idea that a prim...Jonathan, you've promoted the idea that a primary functions like a multi-party system. I'm only correcting your view -- it may function that way in states with open primaries. <br /><br />In states with closed primaries, it cannot function that way, because the multitude of candidates are still only available to those registered in one of two parties. And since the majority of potential voters are not affiliated with a party, this means there is no 'multi-party' effect from primaries.<br /><br />Any harm to democracy? I didn't indicate such a thing, though I do think there's great harm in the limits of our two-party system. The republican platform and nominee for governor in my state (Maine) might be a good case in point.zicnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6926413038778731189.post-83688729359299638182010-08-08T01:52:26.064-05:002010-08-08T01:52:26.064-05:00Thomas is correct about ideologies.
Zic,
So? ...Thomas is correct about ideologies. <br /><br />Zic,<br /><br />So? If you want to get involved, register with a party, and get involved. Or, don't, and don't get involved. I don't see any harm to democracy either way.Jonathan Bernsteinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15931039630306253241noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6926413038778731189.post-24996830672568117922010-08-07T20:09:41.184-05:002010-08-07T20:09:41.184-05:00And we lose the constituency connection. Politicia...And we lose the constituency connection. Politicians are always going to focus their attention on who gets them the gig.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6926413038778731189.post-23143815189924437682010-08-07T18:58:35.625-05:002010-08-07T18:58:35.625-05:00This might be true in states with open primaries; ...This might be true in states with open primaries; but what about states where you have to register with a party to participate in the primary process?zicnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6926413038778731189.post-7363121872648737002010-08-07T15:44:12.615-05:002010-08-07T15:44:12.615-05:00One reason primaries "don't really serve ...One reason primaries "don't really serve as rallying points for ideological factions" is beacuse the vast majority of americans dont have ideologies. They have husbands, wives, parents, children, friends, co-workers, neighbors, most of whom may be a bit to the left or a bit to the right of where they themselves are. And peoples' prime political interest is the most "local" one imaginable - they want to get along with these people that they live with. This is what the Becks, Coulters, Limbaughs (and their counterparts on the left) don't understand - or more likely, don't care about, because to acknowledge it would be to delegitimize themselves.Thomas Parkernoreply@blogger.com