Obama is about to take stage at DNC!

[steven787]

super_etecoon said:

izaaz101 said:

super_etecoon said:
In order to vote in many state's primaries (where we decide on our party's nominee) we have to declare a party. So if you want to choose between two Democrats for the nomination you have to be registered a Democrat.

Many states are actually foregoing this tradition....and many voters in states where this is still true have registered as Independents, which gives them the right to pick from any party.

Is this something that has been around for a long time (and if so, do you know why it was initially started)?

Most of our election system has been in place since the conception of our country.  It's completely archaic and the powers that be know it's what keep them safe from what they would perceive as mob mentality.

We argue and fight for democracy abroad....but come home to a republic.

 

Actually, the public primary wasn't the way candidates were selected.  The first binding primary was 1968, it was a disaster, with riots and the assassination of Robert Kennedy - it wasn't the due to primaries, but the time was too chaotic.  Primaries worked and secured their future in 1988.

Primaries are for the selection of the party candidate.  In states where people can vote in any primary, people do abuse it and vote for the candidate who they think will be easier to beat; instead of the one they think will make the best president.

Also elections have changed very much.  From the number in the electoral college and how the electoral college was selected - method is by each state, it wasn't until 1872 that every state held popular elections.