A lot of liberals screaming for “open primaries in 2016 may have gotten a surprise lesson in “be careful what you wish for.” Granted, what they are all seeing transpire this year has been going on since 2012, this is the first time it has been a page one story.
The way primaries operate in California is that everyone’s name — of every political party — has their name put in a giant pot. People are given one vote for Governor and Senator.
In this unofficially named “Jungle Primary,” two top vote-getters face each other in a “jungle runoff.” In a progressive state, this commonly ends with two liberals facing off against one another. While this makes for a higher-quality general election, it does deal out unintended hands. I’ll discuss two that may be playing out this year.
1. No one polling has modeled Lt. Gov Gavin Newsom anywhere other than first place. Former L.A. Mayor Anthony Villaraigosa had been a solid 2nd. If he were to be a jungle 2nd, the probability of Trump-republicans Getting Out the Vote dips significantly. They are territorial, and they are programmed to refuse participation in Democratic activities. This is an unintended gift for progress. But, Trump-republican strategists adjusted their defense.
Trump coalesced his support behind an endorsement of the Trump-republican candidate, Johnny Cox. In recent polls, Cox is trending over Villaraigosa for 2nd. If he gets on the ballot, it will aid the alt-right down ballot. So, maybe a bit of support, late, for Tony?
Still, GO GAVIN!
2 In Orange County, the unintended consequences may really hurt the Resistance. Trump-republican party right wing officials there are confident that they have the Blue Wave defended.
“The ‘red wave,’ is the one you’ll see in June,” ~Fred Whitaker, chair of the trump-Republican Party of Orange County.
Whitaker is confident because he knows that the liberal resistance to trump and the rabidly obstructionist and destructive congress has inspired a super-saturation of competing candidates in this “jungle primary. None of the liberal candidates are finding traction, which could lead to all-Republican general elections in seats that would otherwise be ripe for flipping Blue.
This could affect the Democratic chances of subverting Fascist rule with a people-powered Blue Wave. It’s not all doom and gloom, though.
California primary election: OC Democrats eye congressional seats, hope to take back House
http://abc7.com/politics/orange-county-democrats-hope-to-take-back-house/3564213/
All I have to say is I hope that Democrats over-perform like has never been seen in Orange county!
In California. Go big blue. It’s up to all of us. Just get up and get out the vote!