Potomac News has a story on the upcoming primaries and conventions (here). They complain about the confusion, but they what they do not mention is the absurd number of elected offices we have to fill (see here).
The most useful part of the article are some quotes from Tom Kopko.
Here is the best part.
Prince William County Republican Committee Chairman Tom Kopko said that conventions are his preferred way to choose a candidate.
“At a convention, the party is in control over who can participate as a Republican,” he said. “The party gives up all control over the nomination process in an open primary since there is no party registration and there are no restrictions.
“It’s a ridiculous situation.”
Incumbents can appeal to all voters and they don’t have to answer to the party they are representing. Their voting records in relation to party views are not on the table, Kopko said.
“If there were closed primaries [limited to only members of the party], we would probably choose them more often,” he said.
When incumbents are able to choose a primary, they usually do so, because it can work in their favor, Kopko said.
For example, “an incumbent Democrat could put forth policies that cater to Republicans and completely upset his party,” Kopko said. “In a primary he would try to go out and get as many Republicans as he can to vote for him. The party completely loses control over its nominee.”
Primaries are also more expensive, Kopko said, and incumbents usually are able to raise more money than their opponents.
“This is why we jokingly call it the ‘Incumbent Protection Act’ and it’s pretty close to the mark,” Kopko said.
