Split votes in primaries, split votes in generals, neither is good. If the parties wanted to really solve this problem, they'd use something other than basic FPTP voting. I'm fond of IRV, but even simple approval voting would be better than this recurring mess.
However, using anything else in the primaries might cause the electorate to realize they should use something else in the general, and risk putting an end to the two-party system. We'll probably only see one of our current two major parties do something like that if they believe themselves to be permanently declining in relevance and being replaced, like the Federalists or Whigs.
> Trump’s candidacy was a seismic event for the American left; it left a deep imprint on our brains.
I don't think the GOP--neither the base nor the party apparatus--*wants* it to not be Trump. They know they get historic turnout with Trump on the ballot, they know many of their voters can't be bothered to get to the polls for SuburbanDad McWhitey. The effective GOP strategy isn't going to be stopping Trump, it's going full steam ahead again.
Biden vs Trump is like choosing between being strangled or shot to death. Please, no!
Jeff’s analysis is spot on. I think there’s a bigger never trump presence in the Republican Party than it appears, but it might just be me being optimistic.
Split votes in primaries, split votes in generals, neither is good. If the parties wanted to really solve this problem, they'd use something other than basic FPTP voting. I'm fond of IRV, but even simple approval voting would be better than this recurring mess.
However, using anything else in the primaries might cause the electorate to realize they should use something else in the general, and risk putting an end to the two-party system. We'll probably only see one of our current two major parties do something like that if they believe themselves to be permanently declining in relevance and being replaced, like the Federalists or Whigs.
> Trump’s candidacy was a seismic event for the American left; it left a deep imprint on our brains.
Aye, like that iron rod did to Phineas Gage.
I don't think the GOP--neither the base nor the party apparatus--*wants* it to not be Trump. They know they get historic turnout with Trump on the ballot, they know many of their voters can't be bothered to get to the polls for SuburbanDad McWhitey. The effective GOP strategy isn't going to be stopping Trump, it's going full steam ahead again.
Honest question, why are there only two political parties in the U.S.?
Biden vs Trump is like choosing between being strangled or shot to death. Please, no!
Jeff’s analysis is spot on. I think there’s a bigger never trump presence in the Republican Party than it appears, but it might just be me being optimistic.