Southern Beale's interpretation of the West Virginia primary is one of the best succinct explanations of why open primaries are an open invitation to screwing up the opposing party. She quotes a story from NBC that should give any real Democrat a reason to oppose open primaries.
A third of those who voted in West Virginia’s Democratic primary say they plan to back Trump in November, according to NBC News exit polls. Sanders won those voters by a wide margin.
In fact, 39 percent of Sanders voters said they would vote for Trump over Sanders in the fall. For Clinton, nine percent of her voters say they plan to come out for Trump in the general election.
West Virginia has an open primary, meaning independents can vote in the Democratic contest. With the GOP nomination wrapped up, it’s possible mischievous Trump supporters sought to damage Clinton, the likely Democratic nominee, by voting for Sanders.
Between their use of the blatantly anti-democratic, vote-suppressing caucuses and the Republicans aiding in a spoiler campaign through open primaries, the Sanders campaign continuing on its course isn't only risking enabling Republicans, it's gaming the worst features of the process, the things that make the super delegates look like a necessary protection of the party.
If the Democratic Party is led to defeat by a life-long independent gaming the system the way it has been this year, we really need to do something about this. Even if Hillary Clinton wins we need to do something about it. I don't know exactly what but we can't live with the crazy quilt of crazy laws and policies that can be used by our opponent and opportunists to defeat us.
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