Recent debates at another site bring up the idea of closing Democratic Party Primaries. Why should those who won’t sign on to the National Party be allowed a say in its candidate.
To paraphrase, -The role of the Democratic Party is to build the Democratic Party.- Great because building a Political party just for the sake of building a party does nothing.
The purpose of the Democratic Party is to serve the Nation and its non-millionaire citizens. And the best way it can do that is to win elections; local, state and federal.
The purpose of the Democratic Party is not to serve, build and enhance the institution of the Democratic Party; but since the 1930’s, its role is to help those citizens of the US who don’t have armies of lawyers, tax accountants, and public officials on the payroll.
It is not to strengthen the self associated group called the Democratic Party who may, or may not reflect the interests of those non-millionaires.
It has been argued that the Party did not reflect those interests effectively and it is such Institutional thinking that has brought the disaster of 2016. Scorn has been heaped on those who joined the Party in name only to vote or run as a Democrat. Well, guess what. You have a better chance of advancing Democratic non-millionaire goals with them on board than not.
Shutting them out of a primary does nothing but apply a negative stigma to the Party in their mind. By allowing a “registered” independent to vote in an open Democratic primary, engages them in the process and increases the likelihood that will look on the eventual candidate favorably. Unless they are a complete failure like some.
And you know, with the increase of technology, one’s public political party registration is easily found and is used as a sub-rosa filter for jobs, credit, housing, employment advancement. Many who rely on the public for their income register as independent so as to appear neutral. So that “registered” independent may have grown up in a Democratic home, been attracted by its policies, etc.. but due to personal/economic reasons cannot be known as such on the voting rolls.
So, if its your stated goal to build a self perpetuating Fortress Democratic Party which only allows and rewards insiders and long timers who follow a rigid policy dogma; checking off each approved position in the approved manner, you will get the result of 2016.
If you want a big tent broad enough to win a majority of states with a safe margin, then that will have to include “registered” independents. Blocking them is just another tool of solidifying influence and policy positions in an increasingly smaller and smaller Democratic Party.
Ridge