Why should Republicans and other non-Democrats be permitted to vote in Democratic primaries?

[Nye Bevan]

Do we really want to allow Republicans to manipulate our selection process by deliberately voting for the Democratic candidate that they think the Republican will be more likely to beat in November?

Is it really too much to ask someone to join the Democratic Party if they want to have a say in who the Democratic candidate will be?

[revbones]

1. Yeah! Screw the independents! Who needs them? Oh wait... nt

[Xipe Totec]

2. Zing!

[TMontoya]

12. Is this the Independent primary?

No? Then they should have no say in in selecting another party's candidate. If they want a say within the party join the party.

[revbones]

15. Ridiculous to exclude independents.

Republicans yes. Independents no.

Independents have a right to participate in a presidential selection process. Unfortunately by hook or by crook there have remained only 2 viable parties. Excluding them from the selection process and just saying here are your two choices at the end is no better than the smoke filled rooms and Tammany Hall - just on a national level.

[Andy823]

52. If independents were voting for Hillary

You, and the rest of your crowd, would be "demanding" that they not be allowed to vote in the "DEMOCRATIC" primaries. You know it and I know it.

[revbones]

54. Did you mean to respond to my comment with that? I think we agree... nt

[scscholar]

32. Oh please

They shouldn't be able to dictate to the Party who the Party has as a candidate.

[revbones]

48. Well if you don't like the rules, you can leave the party... nt

[Hydra]

108. Oh, you don't want my vote in Nov?

I'm an Indy that votes Dem. My state has closed Repug primaries/caucuses. If I were Right leaning I'd be insulted that I have to change my affiliation to them and back afterward to have a say in who the best candidate to run for GE is.

The Dem party is now smaller than the Indies, and will be even smaller in a few months after Hillary's scorched earth antics. I don't think you want to disinvite us all at this point.

[Algernon Moncrieff]

3. No - membership matters

Candidates should also be required to join the party. Just sayin'

[angrychair]

5. What candidate hasn't joined our Party?

Wondering

[Algernon Moncrieff]

7. Per Senate.Gov, Bernard Sanders remains I-VT

http://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm?OrderBy=party&Sort=ASC

[dogman]

8. If you are on the Democratic ballot you are a Democrat.

I'm not saying what kind though.

[Algernon Moncrieff]

29. No - registering to vote as a Democrat makes you a Democrat

Hence, Senator Sanders remains I-VT in the Senate.

[dogman]

41. You better hurry and tell the Democratic National Committee.

They have really goofed. You have to realize that I has more meaning, intelligence and integrity. Things we should look for in all our candidates.

[Algernon Moncrieff]

60. They goofed when they let non-Democrats run as Dems

Water over the dam at this point.

And yes, I'll vote Sanders if he's the nominee.

[JRLeft]

61. You must be talking about Patrick Murphy.

[99Forever]

45. Got a news flash for you brainchild:

There is no party affiliation attached to a voter's registration here or in many other states.

If you don't like it, tough shit. You aren't the fucking Grand Pooba.

[Algernon Moncrieff]

57. Canard

Pat Leahy D-VT
Howard Dean D-VT
Peter Welch D-VT
Peter Shumlin D-VT

Bernard Sanders I-VT

[kristopher]

116. Misinformation

Do I have to register as a Democrat, Republican, Independent or some other party in Vermont?
No. There is no party registration in Vermont.

All registered voters can vote in the primary election—but can only vote on one ballot. You will be given a ballot for each of the major parties. You mark one of the ballots and put the remaining unvoted ballots into a discard bin. Which ballot you chose to vote is private and not recorded (except during the presidential primary, where voters must publicly take one ballot or the other, and their choice is recorded on the entrance checklist).

https://www.sec.state.vt.us/elections/frequently-asked-questions/voter-registration.aspx#

[Algernon Moncrieff]

117. Then the VT Sec State should explain why the congressman, senior senator, an governor are all D-VT

..and Bernie Sanders is not.

[angrychair]

4. It's not about that

Both parties have open primaries and caucuses.
Having closed primaries or caucuses means you could exclude left-leaning Independents. The more voters, the better. It also breeds brand loyalty and trust by making them part of our process.
Having open primaries and caucuses is good for our Party, not bad.

[Algernon Moncrieff]

31. Dear left leaning independents - join the Democratic Party

Otherwise go be Greens, P & Fs, Socialists, or Communists and go vote in their primary.

[TM99]

37. Dear Democrats

We now out number you even on the left side of the spectrum.

If you want to win a fucking national election again, how about stop being jerks. You need us, not the other way around.

[bunnies]

40. This creepy ass loyalty shit is freaking me out.

These are people who would vote for Liebeman (D) over Sanders (I). Party over princibles, I suppose. That's fucked.

[TM99]

42. It is adolescent mentality.

It is red team or blue team. It is irrelevant the issues, the positions, the ethics, the congruency, it is just about my team winning or losing.

This lack of mental maturity will be the death of this nation.

[bunnies]

55. Exactly. And it's horrifying.

I never would have known it was this bad had Bernie not run. The whole "he's not a democrat!!!" tantrum has been a real eye opener.

If his values are not Democratic values then neither are mine. I've wasted a lot of years, time and money on a party that thinks I'm shit.

[Algernon Moncrieff]

49. Dear left leaning independents.

FDR hired J. Edgar Hoover; Truman broke a coal miners strike; JFK threatened Russia with nuclear war. True Democrats are tough and practical. I fear you all are too wedded to ideology to lead effectively. Join us or not. It's your call.

PS: The Kennedys and Roosevelts were 1%ers.

[LonePirate]

89. By all means, field your own candidate and see how he/she does.

There is at least one Independent candidate in every presidential election. How have they been faring since John Anderson?

[TM99]

92. So tiresome the lack of knowledge here.

So the fuck what? You are just another team player, and your rules just don't apply any more. Sorry to break it to ya.

[Autumn]

107. You don't think Independents are needed in the GE?

[Hydra]

110. Official disinvites for us Indys

Because we're disrupting the coronation. It has to be us, right? It can't be that the candidate they are putting a thumb on the scale for is the problem...

[Autumn]

112. If they think they don't need us they are fucking crazy

http://www.people-press.org/2015/04/07/a-deep-dive-into-party-affiliation/

The share of independents in the public, which long ago surpassed the percentages of either Democrats or Republicans, continues to increase. Based on 2014 data, 39% identify as independents, 32% as Democrats and 23% as Republicans. This is the highest percentage of independents in more than 75 years of public opinion polling.

I was a registered democrat for over 40 years and left the party last Jan, changed back to caucus for Bernie here in CO and left the democratic party the day after.

[dchill]

105. In other words, open primaries are best at gauging...

The November electorate. Party isolation is for losers.

[angrychair]

113. Yes😄

That is correct.

As with everything else, the more inclusive we are the better we are.

[dogman]

6. If you use a Democratic ballot and follow the law you are a Democrat for that vote.

Votes are spent one at a time. The owner gets to spend them as they wish.

[HereSince1628]

11. I WI it's all one ballot...you have to bubble in party and then make sure

that -all- your choices are that party, or your ballot isn't valid for the primary candidates.

But, yes, here in WI a majority people who identify as democrats don't usually belong to the state party.

[SFnomad]

9. Closed primaries are the way to go

It keeps out the Republicans that just want to commit "Operation Chaos" confusion.

And it keeps out the independents that only feel the need to be a part of the process once every four years and attempt to subject us to someone that actual Democrats wouldn't have voted for otherwise. If they want a say, be a part of the party all the time and try to make changes from within, quit just being interlopers.

[litlbilly]

14. anyone can join any party they want and vote anyway they want. end of story.

If you don't like it, leave.

[SFnomad]

18. Not in every state you can't

Some states have sensible rules that help keep out the riffraff. If you don't like the rules, tuff.

[litlbilly]

19. I couldnt fucking care less what you think. I was and indie, joined the dems to vote for Bernie

Get over it.

[SFnomad]

22. And I couldn't fucking care less what you think either.

Your shitty attitude is part of the problem.

[litlbilly]

25. its just my attidude toward you Hill shills. You have no substance. Hillary using 26 dead kids

now as a political prop against Bernie should make you shutter in your boots, I'm guessing it doesn't. That's all I need to know.

Off to the ignore list you go. Have fun

[SFnomad]

27. Buh-bye ... you won't be missed. n/t

[bunnies]

43. Remember that in November.

I've been a Democrat since I was 18 and statements like yours make me embarrassed to admit it.

[SFnomad]

47. The person has no intention of voting for Clinton anyway

And I'm tired of having to coddle people like that. Sorry that embarrasses you.

[bunnies]

65. "The person" is millions of people.

I'm sure you can spare the loss.

[SFnomad]

66. The PUMAs thought they were that important 8 years ago

The few that really were PUMAs didn't make enough of a difference .... did they?

[TM99]

72. Pssst...

kid...PUMA means Party Unity My Ass.

Independents who won't vote for the Clinton just because she has a D after her name can never logically be called PUMA's. We are not a part of the party to begin with.

[SFnomad]

77. And that's exactly why you're not worth the trouble. n/t

[TM99]

79. Ah, bowing out because

things got to hot and juicy?

[SFnomad]

80. Actually, your post was tame and bland and I gave it the response it deserved n/t

[TM99]

82. Indeed it was.

I have no animosity for you peronsally. I just despise your politics.

[SFnomad]

96. And I despise yours n/t

[TM99]

38. Nope, that is bullshit.

In every state, whether there is a closed or open primary, an independent if they do so before the stated cut-off time can change their party affiliation to either of the major two parties and then be qualified to vote. We can return to our unaffiliated and independent status right after if we so choose, and as of this spring 47% of the voting electorate have done so.

I mean come on people. Didn't y'all ever have a civics class? This is remedial information. The D's and the R's can not 'stop' any citizen from permanently or temporarily registering to vote as a D or an R in order to vote in the primary. Period.

[SFnomad]

44. It's not bullshit .. it's exactly what you stated.

Some states have cut-off times (the rules I was talking about) ... and in some states that time is significant, not just a week or 30 days. I believe there is at least one state that when you change the party affiliation, you can't vote in the upcoming primary, but have to wait until the next one. And just like I said, it keeps out those that really aren't part of the party. And I don't believe that is a bad thing.

[TM99]

46. Nope still wrong.

Read what I wrote. Look at the State voting requirements.

It does not do as you purport that it does. I have been an independent for almost 30 years. I have always voted in the primaries and in the general. Get a fucking clue!

[SFnomad]

56. Another know it all Bernie cheerleader

Get your own fucking clue. There are states with closed primaries. If you're not registered with the party, you're not voting in the primary ... period. Your state may allow it, but then it isn't a closed primary.

And in those states with closed primaries, the cutoff for registering with the party differs. To me, the longer you need to be with the party, the better.

[TM99]

62. Do you guys even read what you post?

You don't get that millions of American citizens have for a long time remained independent of the two party system, and yet still vote in open and closed primaries. All that is required is to change party status by the deadline. But just because I was registered for all of two months this year in Arizona as a Democrat in order to vote for Sanders, that does not mean I am a FUCKING GOD DAMNDED DEMOCRAT!

I am once more non-affiliated as are millions of us. It doesn't matter if that length of time was for a few weeks or a few months, no state requires consistent party affiliation in order to vote in primaries.

Why is this so fucking difficult for y'all to understand?! Only 23% of registered voters are consistent, long term Democrats. 23 FUCKING percent. Get it?!

[SFnomad]

64. And do you know what that date was in NY to change your affiliation?

October 9th, 2015 ... 6 months ago. If you're registered as an independent (or Republican), you had to change your affiliation 6 months ago or you are out of luck.

If you're not a FUCKING GOD DAMNED DEMOCRAT .. then don't vote in our primaries.

I'm really tired of you people trying to tell the rest of us we have to bow down to you. If you want to have a say in the Democratic Primary ... BE A DEMOCRAT. If you don't want to be a DEMOCRAT ... BUTT OUT.

[TM99]

67. Sorry kid, it just doesn't work that way.

This is not a high school glee club.

If an independent wants to change their registration every four years for six months in order to vote in the Democratic or Republican party in NY, they can. You do not get to do one fucking thing to stop it. It has been happening for some time, and it will happen more and more as time marches on.

I am a leftist. I have every god damned right to have a voice in who the leftist candidate in the GE is going to be. Tough shit if you and other loyalists don't like it. And I have every right to say, well, that candidate that won does not represent me so I will vote for someone else even if that is a third party.

Isn't democracy a grand thing?

This attitude is going to ensure future losses not wins. 47%. That is the number. That is the math!

[SFnomad]

68. Re: Sorry kid, it just doesn't work that way.

Like I said, in some states it does.

More states should be like New York.

[TM99]

71. No it doesn't.

And no New York is not special. Independents still register even if for six months to vote in the primary of their choice and then return to their status afterwards.

[SFnomad]

97. You say "no it doesn't" ... then admit that it does. Could you be any more confused?

And I doubt there are many independents (or Republicans) that would change their registration 6 months before a primary ... to just switch it back after the primary ... to do it all over again a year later.

[TM99]

99. Your doubts are thankfully

not reality.

Primaries only occur once every four years.

Really go read a book, get off the internet (if your shift is over of course), and you might find out the truth of electoral politics. I will give you a hint - 47% of voters are independent of either party.

[SFnomad]

103. No, primaries happen every 2 years

The House of Representatives elect every 2 years and there are primaries for those.

And 1/3 of the Senate is elected every 2 years and there are primaries for those as well.

You seem to know as little about elections as you do about grammar.

[Karma13612]

81. New Yorker here-

Absolutely DISAGREE WITH EVERYTHING YOU'VE SAID.

I say shorten our affiliation deadline, and open the flood gates to let left leaning voters vote in our primary.

What NY is doing is pure unadulterated disenfranchisement.

Dems can't win the election without indies, and indies won't vote in the General if the candidate sucks.

If the dem party wants to survive it's eroding base, it must be more inclusive, not less.

NO, more states should NOT be like NY.

[sadoldgirl]

53. But thank you so much for calling the indies "riffraff".

That will make them feeling great to vote in the GE
for the Dem nominee!

[SFnomad]

58. After reading their posts here for the last couple of months

I really don't care if I hurt the Sanders cheerleader's feelings ... I don't feel that many of them are worth the trouble.

[TM99]

70. Are you even a real person?

I mean yes, I am sure behind the screen there is somebody there.

But this account is another one from 2008 that had literally next to no activity for almost 8 years but sprung to life 90 days ago with hundreds of posts. These accounts all seem to be Clinton supporters, strong supporters of party loyalty, etc.

I am not accusing (frankly because swarms love to find excuses for juries), but as I do keep noticing this phenomena here, I am genuinely curious as to what is really going on.

You can never be to sure these days that astro-turfing and paid media manipulation is not going on after all.

[SFnomad]

75. Yawn ... what a boring troll ... now accusing me (without any evidence) of being a paid shill

I could question the Sanders cheerleaders that spout off right wing talking points all day long like they're from Lucianne or Red State too. And ask them how much the Koch Brothers are paying them per post. But why waste our time?

[TM99]

78. So you call me a troll

and say you could say something but won't.

But I didn't accuse. I asked. Where have you been for eight years. I have never seen your posts. Have you ever posted in say the TV forums or Activism?

Did you really mean to say with that last sentence 'my' time? Because you wrote - "But why waste our time"? Is it hip these days to talk in the third person plural?

[SFnomad]

83. If you want to sound like you're smart ... "our time" is first person plural.

Third person plural would have been "their time".

I used first person plural because I thought you would value your time as well and not waste it on something so boring. If I was mistaken, I'll rephrase it.

But why waste my time?

[TM99]

85. You are correct.

You still said our instead of my time.

Nice deflection with a side of insult though.

[SFnomad]

93. Hardly deflection ... I meant what I originally typed

But you were being pedantic and were wrong in your grammar lesson, quite a combination.

[TM99]

94. So you are a plurality?

Exterminate! Exterminate! Exterminate!!!

[SFnomad]

95. Nope ... I explained myself, I'm sorry if you can't keep up. n/t

[TM99]

98. Keep spinning kid.

This is making my night.

[SFnomad]

100. I'm glad you're so easily amused

But no spin here ... it's clear you're as bad with your comprehension as you are with your grammar.

[TM99]

102. Bye bye

you little....

[SFnomad]

104. Buh bye n/t

[Algernon Moncrieff]

69. Agree 100%. Well Said (nt)

[Wilms]

10. Keep this in mind.

http://www.gallup.com/poll/180440/new-record-political-independents.aspx

[TM99]

39. Indies are now pushing 48%.

And D's were done to 23% last October prior to primary season. The numbers rose to 28% the end of February. I predict they will sink back to 23% or even lower by this summer.

[Karma13612]

84. Agree. And I am still blown away by the stats 48 vs 28. My gosh! Eom

[TM99]

86. It is a big deal

that I think the establishment elite know is very real but are too entrenched to face it in a healthy manner.

They are doubling down on the control, not letting up and find compromises with the new reality. Change is the only constant.

[Karma13612]

87. Sadly true. Eom

[Armstead]

13. Registered Republicans no...Independents yes

[nadinbrzezinski]

16. SNORT... I hope your party does this in CA

that way they can have even more trouble keeping the lights on. There are reasons why both parties are bleeding members. Perhaps it is time for BOTH parties (and if the republicans survive they will do that, a matter of survival) to have a nice heart to heart as to why the youth and an increasing number of older voters have had it with both parties.

[beedle]

17. If you want a party that selects a nominee

that has the best chance of winning in the GE ... why would you want to exclude getting the input of over 40% of the people who could vote for (or against) you in the GE?

Tribalism is what destroys societies and is the real cause of al wars ... every opportunity to eliminate tribal thinking can only be a good thing.

[Nye Bevan]

20. Because Republicans can deliberately vote for who they think they can beat in November? (nt)

[nadinbrzezinski]

23. By your logic I can do that too. I can register as a Republican and vote

for the weakest candidate.

[Nye Bevan]

24. There have been threads here encouraging DUers to do just that (nt)

[nadinbrzezinski]

26. And the evidence that this has happened for real *is very thin*

Most people do not cross to do that, well except conservadems in general elections when the D candidate is perceived to be bad for them. Ask Reagan and Bush how that works.

And that includes Michigan this year by the way.

[beedle]

28. Possibly, but so what?

Do you think they couldn't register as a Democrat and do the same thing?

The benefits of allowing independents IMO outweighs any risks.

[bigwillq]

21. I support open primaries

The system should encourage folks to vote early and often in any and every election. I would like to be able to vote in both the R and D primaries. I don't think it's manipulation. If an R is going to win an election, I would like to have a say in who that R is.

[potone]

33. Well, no, that defeats the purpose of primaries.

But I do think that they should be open. It was different when the majority of the populace was divided between the two parties, but now that Independents make up the largest voting group, it seems wrong to exclude them unless there is same day voter registration at polling sites. Too many states make it as hard as possible to vote now that the voting rights act was gutted, so we need to make changes to make the process as inclusive as possible. The more hurdles that people have to jump through to vote, the more discouraged and cynical people will be. That serves the interests of the PTB, but it doesn't serve the country's interests. We need and informed, engaged citizenry or our democracy-what's left of it-will lose all legitimacy. That, at least, is my view now.

[bigwillq]

35. I agree

Too many states make it as hard as possible to vote now that the voting rights act was gutted, so we need to make changes to make the process as inclusive as possible. The more hurdles that people have to jump through to vote, the more discouraged and cynical people will be.

[angrychair]

76. A+ 👍👍

Very well said. THANK YOU!

[OhioBlue]

106. I agree, I think all primaries should be open

At the national level, I think it would improve the conversation. We know the Ds go left and Rs go right in the primary and then pivot to the middle in the general. I think open primaries would allow candidates to just speak from where they are and lessen the pandering. I think it would be good for our Democracy.

At the local level, some races are decided in the primary. If you live in a very red area, but identify as a Dem, it would still be nice to be able to vote for your preferred choice for County Commissioner or Mayor, etc.

I think closed primaries result in voter disenfranchisement.

[jillan]

30. Hell YES!! We want a candidate who can win in the GE. No one can win without the swing voters.

Is this your first GE? Because if you have paid attention to elections in the past you would know that.

[daleanime]

34. Only two parties have pretty much cornered the market in America....

if they plan on serving everyone they should be required to serve everyone.

[SidDithers]

36. They shouldn't...

Good post.

Sid

[Lucinda]

50. +1

[votesparks]

51. Because unequal and unfair ballot access

duh

[Andy823]

59. The problem is

Exactly as you stated. A whole lot of republicans are "claiming" to be independents so they can manipulate the Democratic primaries to help them win in November. If Hillary were getting all those "independent" voters, the Bernie bros would be irate as hell and complaining day in and day out. Their hypocrisy is disgusting.

[angrychair]

88. Wow

Does it really come that easy to make absurd, nasty comments with no proof? Good job keyboard warrior!
So sick of that "Bernie bro" comments with no challenge or consequences.
There are times when I would love to call people that say that things like that "assholes" but not in this case. I thought it but decided I wouldn't call you an "asshole". I mean calling you an "asshole" just doesn't seem right. Even though some people would consider you an "asshole" I decided to take the high road and not call you an "asshole" for saying "Bernie bros" though I think some might not be as nice as me and think you have a shitty attitude and think you are an "asshole".

[WhenTheLeveeBreaks]

63. What would be fun

is that if all 4 ran for President (vs parties, primaries and nominees)

I wonder what the result would be?

[Cheese Sandwich]

73. How do you feel about same day voter registration?

Because that's pretty much the same thing in some states.

You walk in, change your party registration, and then vote.

[HooptieWagon]

74. Why should lobbyists be superdelegates? Nt

[LoveIsNow]

90. I'm okay with saying no Republicans

But having an engaged cohort of left-leaning independents is healthy for the party.

[Warren Stupidity]

91. Why are these grapes so sour?

[phleshdef]

101. Basically, you want only card carrying Democrats to vote. You are supporting voter suppression.

I say that as a card carrying Democrat.

[loyalsister]

109. Because it isn't an 8 yrs old's clubhouse?

Nor is it a fraternity. Superficiality is an ugly quality for institutions that align people with similar political philosophies.
In reality, we want people to join us. Pretending to be an exclusive club does not work to that end.

[strategery blunder]

111. Because the alternative allows incumbent political machines to rig primaries.

If the Maricopa County registrar and Arizona secretary of state had had a D after their names instead of an R, the stuff that went down would have been a perfect example.

If a corrupt incumbent Democrat such as DWS was in charge of a voter registrar? Modern datamining practices make it relatively easy to identify likely supporters of the other candidate before the actual primary. If someone like DWS had access to a national voter registrar in a national closed primary, Bernie supporters would have their registrations flipped to Republican faster than you could say "closed primary."

Democrats wouldn't be able to vote for Democrats if they supported the "wrong" primary candidate and the people running the election were corrupt enough to put their thumbs on the scale for the primary's incumbent.

Better to risk the (small) chance of Operation Chaos than risk disenfranchising actual Democrats through this kind of voter suppression, oops I mean "administrative error" IMO.

And yes, sad to say both New York and Chicago have a long history of these kinds of political machines--though last couple decades Florida has been giving Chicago a run for its money in the corruption department.

[Lazy Daisy]

114. Then maybe the DNC should pay

for their closed primaries, instead of the tax payers of the state.
I'm a democrat, but I think if tax payers pay for something, they should have access to it.

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

115. Because it's more democratic.

[rjj621]

118. Because we have a choice too

I didn't have to register with a party so I didn't. I had just turned 18, it was Bill Clinton running against George Bush and I was voting for Clinton but I couldn't say I was firmly in the Democrat camp. I have always leaned left on most issues but not all of them.

Yes, in open primary states a Republican can go in and vote on the Democrat ballot but cannot then go vote in the Republican one. One person, one vote. Suppose it's a moderate Republican who doesn't like the choices offered by the GOP?

Independents are part of this political process, in fact, we are the ones that decide the elections. Why can't we have a say in who we wish to represent us? Should the choices be made for us and then let us choose between the lesser of two evils? By keeping the primaries closed, about half the country's voices aren't being heard.

My daughter just turned 18 and voted for Bennie in the Virginia primary. She was excited about her first vote and disappointed that Hillary won. Then as she learned more about our voting process, how the super delegates can ignore the will of the people. A possible brokered GOP convention where an entirely separate candidate could be selected and put forward. The amount of corporate money and campaign contributions which undoubtedly means owing political favors and going easy on the corporate donors....etc. Does anyone really believe that a politician taking money from oil companies, NRA, banks...etc is really going to crack down on them? Hell no, they will lie and say they are but won't do a damn thing. She feels like she's been lied to gert whole life. Some things I can explain and others...well... You've been lied to and most politicians don't give a damn about you or anyone else. It sucks to have her go from excited to disgusted with the whole process.

Edited for autocorrect

[Ken Burch]

119. Republicans AREN'T voting in Democratic primaries.

In virtually every state, you are not allowed to vote in a Democratic primary if you participated in a Republican primary or caucus in the same year.

With the Republican race as contested as it is, virtually no Republican voters are going to try to influence the Democratic race.

And there are no victories Bernie has scored anywhere this year that can possibly be traced to Republican crossovers.

[Ken Burch]

120. In Washington, Alaska, and Hawaii are all closed caucus states.

In those states, everyone has to re-register as a Democrat to participate.

And in each of them, Bernie won in a landslide, with strong support from women and POC's.

In each, the results would have been the same if they had been closed primaries instead of closed caucuses.

[Contrary1]

121. Then don't ask for their vote in the General...

Pretty simple.