The Flyer editorial: Primaries need moderate voters (backdated)

Originally printed in The Flyer on Feb. 19, 2008.
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During this election season, as both parties have struggled to identify their presidential nominees, there has been increased media attention on state primaries and caucuses. These elections are organized by both parties so that party members in each state have a say in which candidates each party nominates to campaign in the general election. In the case of presidential primaries, the voters in the primaries elect delegates to go to the national party convention, who, in turn, vote for the nominee for president. Although the current primary system was created in order to give the everyday party member the ability to influence the party, the system has been subject to abuse by the parties’ most active members. Only if moderate voters participate in the primaries and caucuses will the parties stop emphasizing partisanship and ideology and instead focus on practicality, electability and the ability to actually get things done in Washington.... (Link to article.)