Political parties are private clubs. The best way to prevent outsiders from messing with party stances are closed primaries. As long as that is the system by which we nominate Presidential candidates, voters have only a few of choices:
- Join the club and work from within for your vision of what it should be
- Start your own club
- Stay home and let others run things
If your club gets beat, you make changes or break it up and form other parties. In the past this has resulted in Federalists, Anti Federalists, Whigs, Republicans, Bull Moose, Democratic, Socialists, Progressives and even wholesale trade of positions between parties as with the “Southern Strategy”.
Bernie and his followers found out the hard way, that the political parties are highly resistant to outsiders trying to break-in to the club without filling out a membership card. The Democrats may adopt some of his positions for later issues, but he and they can forget about a nomination. Barring any totally unforeseen dramatics, it will be Hillary Clinton
The Republicans are having a rougher time of it courtesy of a total assault on the ramparts backed by the torches and pitchfork crowd they have encouraged with ignorance, fear and hatred for decades. Barring a well deserved lightning strike from on high, it will be Donald Trump.
One of them will win the World Series. Which one will depend on those outsiders. Do they pick a major team and vote? Do they pick a minor leaguer and mess up the results? Do they stay home and do nothing until given a chance to bitch about it all in 2020.
3 responses to “Outsiders”
Exactly, good post. I have been a Democrat my whole life and its not that hard. Sanders supporters when faced with the choice Trump or Hillary will go Hillary.. Bernie is no Obama! Trump is an excellent motivator..
Jamie… how right you are that Congress is the key. I wonder how many Bernie supporters even know what a mid-term election is… let alone vote in one.