[EL] fewer moderates in US Senate next year; Rick Hasen list of changes

[Richard Winger]

Rick Hasen noted this morning that the US Senate in 2013 will be quite different than the current US Senate, because of the absence of moderate senators.  Rick mentions moderates Conrad of North Dakota, Hutchison of Texas, Lugar of Indiana, Nelson of Nebraska, and Snowe of Maine, all of whom won't be there next year.

It is worth nothing that all five states named above have open primaries or semi-open primaries.  In all five states, independent voters may vote in major party primaries.  So this year's primaries, which defeated some moderates and perhaps caused other moderates to decide to retire, cannot be blamed on closed primaries.

I mention this because some people believe that closed primaries are responsible for extreme candidates winning major party nominations.  These people seem not to be informed about which states have what type of primary.  A majority of members of the Tea Party caucus in the US House are from states with open primaries, for example.

Richard Winger

415-922-9779

PO Box 470296, San Francisco Ca 94147
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