Survey USA just released poll results that show Proposition 14 is “positioned to pass” tomorrow. I know the Flash Report contributors have been vocal about the dangers posed by Proposition 14 and its “top two” primary system. Although the measure is being sold as way to lessen the influence of “special interest”—especially the political parties—Proposition 14 will actually create even more of the backroom political deals that voters despise.
The latest political scandal creating headlines is the allegation by Democrat U.S. Senate candidate Joe Sestak that the White House privately pressured him to end his challenge against incumbent Arlen Specter. Amazingly, Sestak actually rebuffed the emissary sent by the White House: former President Bill Clinton. In the end, it worked out pretty well for Sestak when he defeated Specter in the Pennsylvania Democrat primary. Voters are tired of this type of “dirty politics”—where party bosses mettle and try to control the outcome of races. But what California voters need to realize is Proposition 14 will create more of these types of scandals.
A Sacramento Bee article last week pointed out, Washington State’s open primary system penalizes parties for putting forth several qualified candidates:
That scenario created "an incentive for the major party organizations to discourage ‘too many’ candidates from entering the primary contest for a particular office with that party’s label," economists John H. Beck and Kevin E. Henrickson wrote.
This means Republicans and Democrats will have fewer options when they vote to send their best candidate to the general election.
Washington State Democrats Chairman Dwight Pelz said that dynamic created "more backroom politics" in a system proponents said would bring more openness to primary politics. "I, as party chair, have to go and talk people into not participating, and I think that’s really unfortunate," he said.
When they go to the polls tomorrow, California voters should consider whether they want Democrat and Republican party leadership choosing their candidates for them. In our current primary system, we can have lively competitions where voters get to truly choose, not party bosses.
Don’t buy the arguments that Proposition 14 will end party influence; it will actually end our opportunity to choose from a larger field of qualified candidates. If Proposition 14 wins, voters lose.
June 7th, 2010 at 12:00 am
Ms. Turney created a most tortured argument to defeat Prop 14 but let’s look at the bright side of it.
Let us not forget that California Republican party registration has been on the decline for over a decade paralleling Department of Finance documented white flight from California. At the same time, heavily Democrat Hispanic and Asian voter registration has been rocketing up the charts. That means our Republican candidates have declining backing.
Like a knight on a white horse, Prop. 14, which copies the Louisiana election system, comes along allowing candidates to drop the negative Republican registration i.d. on the ballot. This partyless ballot (at the candidates’ option) allows our Republican candidates greater consideration from Democrat and decline-to-state voters.
And for proof of this logic I offer Louisiana where the governor, one senator and several congressmen are elected Republicans in a heavily Democrat state.
Frankly, the only thing I find really bad about Prop. 14 is that Maldonado pushed it onto the ballot.
Look! Prop 14 is going to pass so we should take advantage of it.
Former Chairman, Assebly Republican Policy Committee
June 7th, 2010 at 12:00 am
what an exciting time….Rinos are drooling on their country club lobster bibs!