From Balzer’s blog titled “Journal Politics”
Posted by Mark Balzer on June 13, 2007, 8:55 am
in General ( Journal Politics)
By Mark Balzer
Senator Stennett’s recent post about the closed primary election has once again demonstrated the lack of understanding some people have about political the political process. Some of what Mr. Stennett has said is true; most of it is red herring and non sequitur argument only made to confuse the reader.
By Mark Balzer
Senator Stennett’s recent post about the closed primary election has once again demonstrated the lack of understanding some people have about political the political process. Some of what Mr. Stennett has said is true; most of it is red herring and non sequitur argument only made to confuse the reader.
The Grass Roots of the Republican Party of Idaho has indeed voted to close the primary process. It is true that this would require you to register to vote as a Republican if you desired to vote in the primary elections in May. That is the extent of the truth in Mr. Stennett’s column.
The primary election is a selection process for the party to decide who will represent it on the general ballot in November. Federal courts have ruled in the past that this process belongs to the party, not to the general population. The candidate selected in the primary process is then placed on the November ballot for consideration by anyone of any party who wants to vote for them.
Mr. Stennett’s position on a minority of voters electing the representative of a certain district only supports the argument made by the grass roots of the Republican Party. In districts where the Republican primary is the only primary then it is true the November election would be over in May.
However Mr. Stennett’s contention that this would prevent democrats, Green Party and independents from having a choice in the primary is false in its basic premise. Nothing in the proposed closed primary prevents any other party from fielding a candidate. If these parties feel that their position one that needs to be heard then they should field candidates and give the people of Idaho a choice.
If the people of Idaho are as fiercely independent and Mr. Stennett and I believe (the one issue that I believe we can find agreement on) then these other parties should be able to make a case. The very fact that this is even an issue is proof that even Republicans in Idaho do not march lock step together.
What it does prevent is a person who does not share Republican ideals from electing someone who also does not share Republican ideals and who only placed and R behind their name on the ballot as a matter of expediency.
Contrary to the arguments made against the closed primary, this should invigorate the political process not provide a hindrance. Those voters who wish to remain independent can do so and “Vote for the man” during the November election after all political parties involved have made their choice about who to place on the general ballot for the people to choose from.
I have lived and worked in states with a closed primary system, in fact Idaho is the first state I have lived in with an open primary. I have seen no instance where any retribution was taken against anyone for their political beliefs. There has been good natured ribbing on all sides and vigorous discussion but no retribution for jobs or business opportunities.
If any church would make party affiliation a requirement of membership then their tax free status should be revoked. I have met stiff resistance to my ideas in class at ISU from professors. However, my grades have never suffered because of my political views.
I have written a column every week for the paper, with my picture attached to the column, and identified myself and a member of the Republican Party in this state. In a county that is controlled by the democrat party. Yet no one has refused to serve me in restaurants no one has not sold me gas, or in any way discriminated against me.
The only time I had any trouble like that was in Oneida County when I had a confrontation with the local education association. That situation had nothing to do with politics though.
Now if my expressing my political views has never been the cause of any action against me why would someone take the time to call the Secretary of State and check on my political affiliation just to take some type of financial action against me, or anyone for that matter?
In fact the only situation recently that I can find where anything like this has happened is in Broward County Florida. Radio station WIDO 610 AM has had a contract with Broward County to air hurricane information for years. Now the county commissioners, democrats all, are not going to renew the stations contract because the station airs Rush Limbaugh’s program.
The DEMOCRATS are placing their politics above emergency management and the safety of the citizens of Broward County. I am sure that Mr. Stennett and others of his ilk would tell you that it is Bush’s fault.
Mark Balzer is the head of the Republican Party in Southeast Idaho.
