A reason for Closed Primaries-Does anyone remember Limbaugh's Operation Chaos?

[Gothmog]

Does anyone remember 2008 and Limbaugh's Operation Chaos? McCain wrapped up the GOP nomination very early and so GOP voters could vote in Democratic primaries that were open. Limbaugh pushed a project to try to hurt President Obama that he called "Operation Chaos" where GOP voters voted in the Democratic primary to try to keep the contest open for as long as possible. There is some evidence that this program may have worked in Indiana http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/05/07/AR2008050703932.html

Even as Barack Obama's campaign celebrated Tuesday's primary results, aides charged yesterday that they would have had an even stronger showing were it not for meddling by an unlikely booster of Hillary Rodham Clinton: the popular conservative radio host and longtime Clinton family nemesis Rush Limbaugh.

The impact of Limbaugh's "Operation Chaos" emerged as an intriguing point of debate, particularly in Indiana, where registered voters could participate in either party's primary, and where Clinton won by a mere 14,000 votes. As he had before several recent primaries, Limbaugh encouraged listeners to vote for Clinton to "bloody up Obama politically" and prolong the Democratic fight.

Limbaugh crowed about the success of his ploy all day Tuesday, featuring on-air testimonials from voters in Indiana and North Carolina who recounted their illicit pleasure in casting a vote for Clinton. "Some of the people show up and they ask for a Democrat ballot, and the poll worker says, 'Why, what are you going to do?' He says, 'Operation Chaos,' and they just laugh," Limbaugh said Tuesday.

But Limbaugh called off the operation yesterday, saying he wants Obama to be the party's pick, because "I now believe he would be the weakest of the Democrat nominees."

He added: "He can get effete snobs, he can get wealthy academics, he can get the young, and he can get the black vote, but Democrats do not win with that."

Democrats should get to pick the Democratic nominee. Limbaugh threatened a new version this year but that effort fizzled

[Skink]

1. That's really all you got

This tax payer disagrees.

[rhett o rick]

2. And a reason for open primaries

http://www.democraticunderground.com/1280178315

[Gothmog]

6. That claim is simply wrong and lacks any logic

The party should get to select its own nominee and why do we want GOP voters voting to select the weakest candidate. As it is, the GOP, Karl Rove and others doing their best to help Sanders be the nominee because Sanders is a very very weak general election candidate

[TheCowsCameHome]

3. Sure do.

and I still prefer open primaries.

[morningfog]

4. Semi-open primaries prevent that (non)issue.

Independents or unaffiliated voters would be permitted to vote in the Dem primary. Registered repubs would not.

I think that way makes the most sense. Welcome the independents and new voters. We should also have same day voters registration. That should be an issue every Democrat supports.

I like that Bernie's run has us talking about it.

[jillan]

5. Yes - let's deny the largest voting group a vote because of Limbo.

Great thinking.

[brush]

8. If you're not a member of the party why should you have a say in who the party runs?

You didn't phone bank, canvass, do signage, register voters, fund raise — nothing, no work at all.

Why would you think that even makes sense?

You get to vote in the general election because you didn't put in any time to work for a candidate, either Bernie or Hillary.

[Bluenorthwest]

7. It was Republicans saying they'd vote for Hillary to stop Obama, or Rush's fantasy about that....

Are they voting for Hillary again? Is that what you are saying?