UPDATED, 1:46 p.m., with comments from Risch.
Many of the state's top GOP officials are shucking and ducking about a proposal that would allow party committees to vet would-be candidates before their names appear on a primary ballot.
But not state schools superintendent Tom Luna.
He doesn't like the idea.
"I'm a strong supporter of closed primaries. I'm not a supporter of closing the ballot access to any candidate," Luna told the Statesman editorial board this morning. "If someone wants to run as a Republican, they can put their name on the ballot with 15 other people, and I have no problem with that."
Authored by former state Sen. Rod Beck of Boise, the plan calls for the state GOP central committee, county committees and legislative district committees to select no more than two candidates for a primary ballot.
The idea could come up before the state GOP central committee next week.
In advance of that meeting, top Republicans are saying little about the idea. U.S. Rep. Mike Simpson was uncharacteristically guarded last week, when he was asked about the idea. "My basic feeling is the closed primary has been adopted by the Legislature and we ought to let it work, see how it works," Simpson told the Statesman editorial board. "I wouldn't try to make too much change too fast."
(For more about Simpson's comments, here's a link to a Dan Popkey blog post.)
I've asked for comments from other top Republicans, and Gov. Butch Otter and Sen. Mike Crapo have again declined comment. "We have not been in discussion with any of the folks who have been proposing this," Crapo spokesman Lindsay Nothern said. "I think we'll just wait and see what develops."
Here's what Sen. Jim Risch had to say, through spokesman Kyle Hines:
"As you know, the party just recently changed its rules to have a closed primary and the legislature changed the law this session. Senator Risch’s intent is to watch the new process in the 2012 election cycle to see how it works. More importantly, based on his legal background, he believes that any effort by the party to go back to court and again change the system probably wouldn’t get very far, when the court and Legislature just gave the party everything it asked for."
No word from Rep. Raul Labrador, who has so far been silent on the issue.
So, give credit to Luna for staking out a stand. And give him bonus points for being on the right side.
I'll take a closer look at this primary proposal in my Thursday column. And I'll have more from our interview with Luna this week.
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Closed primaries - path toward intimidation?
Hi Kevin.
I'd be interested in your thoughts on a more nefarious outcome of requiring people to declare their party affiliation in order to vote in primaries: intimidation and favoritism. If it becomes a matter of public record as to what party you have declared your affiliation, could "registered" Democrats find themselves blackballed (especially for public sector jobs in this state - including teachers). Conversely, couldn't "registered" Republicans receive special consideration? This concern is contingent upon public access to how one registers, but even if not made public, there is always the risk that nothing remains confidential in a one-party state. Just look at how quickly McGee has his career saved without any evidence to support his "concussion" accusation. But I digress.
It's a done deal
Idaho's GOP already has access to registration information. It's beyond "favored donor" lists. Now it's a "with us or against us" list. It's hard to decide which disgusts more … the turpitude of Idaho Republicans or the stupidity of Idaho's electorate.
How Many Forget that....
Many people seem unaware that the reason the Idaho DNC has a caucus is because the national DNC refuses to seat any delegates that are elected from an open Primary. So even the DNC is not in favor of open primaries.
As to the abuses of registration status, this is possible. As are the many other forms of abuse and cronyism already evident in the public sector.
You aware of the tremendous difference between delegates
chosen by caucus and primary candidates chosen by committee? No comparison...except in your mind perhaps.
"No his mind is not for rent, to any god or government." Neil Peart
Yes
Yes I am aware there is a difference. But this was to bring up the point that "oh nohs, those evil GOPers have a closed primary now!1!11!" is a false argument if from someone self aligned with the DNC (because the DNC has the same rules on a national level).
I"m not a huge fan of Luna, but at least he had the nerve
to clearly say he doesn't like the idea. Good for him. The others are all dancing around the issue and giving the extremists yet more power and influence. Take your party back, boys!
Indicates to me
that he's not planning to run again, so it's immaterial to him.
Wait a minute...
Idaho is still part of the United States of America isn't it? The ultra right GOP leaders in this state want to limit the number of primary candidates to TWO people hand picked by party leaders and limit the number of options available to the voters???
UN...believable.
ignorance
These "party leaders" are precinct committee members, elected for areas the size of a single neighborhood. It could be your neighbor. It could be your boss. And it could be you. But off course this would require people to get up off their butts and participate in politics, and not just sit by on the sidelines and complain like Statler & Waldorf. What a shocking thought.
Not exactly "party insiders and big wigs" that the scare tactics of many posts / articles on this site would have you believe.
Despite the FUD, I am also against this idea, voiced my opinion as such at the county central committee meeting, and was a voice among many that tabled the issue entirely.
Wait another minute...
"Authored by former state Sen. Rod Beck of Boise, the plan calls for the state GOP central committee, county committees and legislative district committees to select no more than two candidates for a primary ballot."
Rod Beck... That and GOP central party headquarters says it all. I wonder if ol' Rod can see Russia from his back door because he sure believes in a fascist form of government.
In case you dont know...
Fascists advocate the creation of a totalitarian single-party state that seeks the mass mobilization of a nation through indoctrination, physical education, and family policy including eugenics. Fascists seek to purge forces, ideas, and systems deemed to be the cause of decadence and degeneration and produce their nation's rebirth based on commitment to the national community.
That's too much for Republicans to understand. Despotism...
now that's a little easier concept for them to grasp and aspire to.
"No his mind is not for rent, to any god or government." Neil Peart
Candidates approved by central committee? . . .
This is very much the Iranian electoral system. No candidates for office unless they are pre-approved by the Council of Guardians. Goodbye sanity, welcome Mr. President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.
More TEA IDIOCY
Don't go patting two-faced Luna on the backside just yet.
Remember this is the same guy that ran on, "the schools are doing great look what I have done." Then a month later, "The schools are broken let me fix them by using the East Coast reform plan."
So don't be surprised if after it is moving that direction he comes out and says, "Too many candidates in a primary are a bad thing. We should do this."
Of course I only have character evidence to support this possible outcome.
Hey GOP, why bother with primaries?
Just go to your back room and choose your candidate, then tell all the faithful sheeple to vote for the "R" and shut up and like it.
That's the best idea yet ...
I think it will be that way in 2-3 years ..
Oh, you mean like how.....
Idaho democrats select their presidental choice??
I agree with you
as a democrat I'd rather we had a primary for presidential choice as well. But lets face it, the democratic party (national) doesn't care about Idaho since there's about as good a chance of Idaho voting democrat for president as there is of Tom Luna getting a Master's degree in education (unless he buys one online of course).
Congratulations!
Admitting that you are a sheep who votes for the candidate that your master's select for you is a good first step.
The DNC
The reason Idaho's Democrats cannot have a primary is because of the (previous) open primary rule. The DNC refused to seat any electors from Idaho if those electors were chosen in an open primary.
Now that the open primary has lost in court, Idaho's Democrats may indeed have the chance to change to a primary system instead of the caucus system. Attend your county central committee meetings to find out and voice your opinion to your party.
Ignorant Much?
You do realize that anyone can show up to central committee meetings and voice their opinion, even if they aren't a voting (precinct committee member) member?
One argument for this idea that Rod gave is that the candidates would then be essentially be spreading their elections into two phases; the first targetign specifically the central committee members (the ones with votes in this proposed rule change) and, then if they win, at the general election.
Of course the problem almost everyone at the Ada County Central Committee voiced was that the party has more than two sides / angles and needs more options. One proposed amendment to this rule involved expanding the pool to include a larger number of candidates, but ultimately the entire issue was tabled due to overwhelming opposition (75% by my rough observation).
Give Luna cedit?
No, no - you can give him credit if you wish, Kevin - he gets NO credits from me... he's just another politician.
Funny
Rod beck got voted out of office in one of the more conservative districts in Boise (I voted against him at the time). Yet, somehow, this unelectable fool sets a lot of the GOP's policy in the state now.
The non-tea-party GOP members are cowards. They are letting the Tea-party and John Birch-ers set the agenda. You can judge the intelligence of the citizenry if there is not a diminishing return of this action. It is scary that the fringes of political thought have taken over both parties. Unfortunately, fascism is the correct description for where this country is headed.
In Soviet Idaho
Central Committee elects YOU.
Primary Ballots
Authored by former state Sen. Rod Beck of Boise, the plan calls for the state GOP central committee, county committees and legislative district committees to select no more than two candidates for a primary ballot.
Fine- they can "select" their candidates, but they can't stop anyone from filing to run!
Around 25 states
have closed primaries or caucuses, Dimocrats included.
Rockin Rodney
How did an unelectable piece of dung like him get to be kingmaker?
Give Luna Credit?
Richert, I think Luna has already received enough credit--he already has his online degree after all
I know Rod Beck
And he's a great guy. Why are you pinheads making the issue about him? Not about him at all but rather the Idaho GOP. If they want to have a little more influence on who is on the ballot, what's wrong with that? I've never understood why taxpayers have to pay for politicians to fight amongst themselves. Let the party pick whomever they want for the general election. If they make a stupid choice, they will not win in November! You Democrats should love that!
our ignorance and bias is showing
So you Dumbocrats are OK with the dem's doing this, but, not the GOP... Lame.. The tactic has been tried before, try to spread out the votes to get your candidate in...
I'll simplify it for you.. If allowed the Dem's would submit 15 people for a position so the vote would be split, while all along planning on voting for a pre-selected person..stack the vote for them and their
candidate wins... It's just like the lame claims of not wanting photo id to vote..oh it disenfranchises the poor.. they don't have ID.. BS.. they have to have it to cash their welfare checks...