It’s a Party, who did you Invite?

Consistency is not a hallmark of the Dems, nor, apparently, the Colorado judiciary when it comes to the purity of party politics. And so it goes, the Colorado Republican Party's attempt to prevent the party equivalent of tourists, those unaffiliated voters, from continuing to crash the GOP primary party has been swatted down by a federal judge. 

Why is this ruling the equivalent of a participation trophy in the race for political coherence? Well, let's indulge in a little thing called logic. If you're not part of a club, you typically don't get to sway its decisions. Imagine, if you will, a vegan deciding what's on the grill at the local steakhouse, it’s absurd, right? Yet here we are, with the largest bloc of voters in Colorado, who can't decide if they're coming or going, being given a say in a party they haven't committed to. It's like letting your neighbor's cousin's friend vote on the family vacation destination. 

Kudos indeed to Dave Williams for advocating for a closed primary. It’s simple, if you want a say in the Republican party, put a ring on it. Join the party. Commit. Don’t just swipe right when it's convenient.

But no, the court says that the semi-open primary system doesn't violate the GOP's constitutional rights. It seems the court finds the concept of keeping things in-house as archaic as a landline. And to those within the GOP who champion this 'open relationship' with unaffiliated voters, we must ask, do you also leave your front door open, hoping a wandering illegal alien will move into your guest room?

The argument that this will lead to more moderate candidates is like saying adding water to whiskey makes a better drink, it doesn't, it just dilutes the spirit. The GOP's spirit, its conservative backbone, is at risk of being watered down by those who haven’t signed up for the full conservative experience.

Now, some within the GOP ranks argue that courting the unaffiliated is essential for victory in a general election. To that I say, since when do we court the middle before we've even decided on our entree? 

So, what's the solution? A return to the caucus system, much like our friends in Iowa, seems like a noble path. It's not without its flaws, but at least it ensures that those who are making the decisions are those with skin in the game, not those who just show up for the game-day snacks.

The Colorado GOP should be able to host its own party without the court mandating a guest list. If unaffiliated voters want a voice in the Republican primary, there's a simple solution, join the party. Otherwise, it's just party-crashing, and everyone knows a party with uninvited guests rarely goes according to plan.