When I'm at work, I try very hard to not talk politics. It's a bookstore. I don't want somebody walking out and saying, "Well I'm not going there again, that place sucks." The more people read, the more they have a chance of learning some things.
So today, I really had to bite my tongue. A customer came in asking if we still carried automotive manuals. I noticed right off his hat with a patch on it that read, "Don't step on my freedom".
"Hmmm", I thought, "Better stay on the subject of automobiles."
While we were talking, another customer came up to pay for his books, looked at the dude with the MAGA inspired hat patch and said, "I really like your hat. Yesterday was a great day in America."
"You bet it was," the dude with the hat replied. I sat there biting my tongue, imagining blood running down my face and shirt from biting so hard, but I kept my cool.
But now I'm home and can speak my mind freely so, excuse me, but I really need to say what I wanted to say to those two dudes;
WHAT THE FUCK ARE YOU THINKING!!!
Reminds me of a bookstore in my town that recently closed. It had been focused on kids for years, probably wasn't doing the greatest...maybe breakeven if lucky. It went up for sale and someone else bought it. They kept most of the kid theme but added a lot of adult books....unfortunately they were mostly right wing books from Limbaugh, Hannity, etc. Not a good way to greet your new clientele when most of the people coming to the bookstore lived in the downtown area and were more than likely left leaning.
I think they lasted about a year....probably long enough to wait out their lease, then they closed. It's an antique store now.
His implication leaves out the fact that not everyone in a state voted for one or both Senators. It also ignores how people felt about this particular issue.
Not today Sir, Probably not tomorrow.............................................. bayfront arena st. pete '94
you're finally here and I'm a mess................................................... nationwide arena columbus '10
memories like fingerprints are slowly raising.................................... first niagara center buffalo '13
another man ..... moved by sleight of hand...................................... joe louis arena detroit '14
Not today Sir, Probably not tomorrow.............................................. bayfront arena st. pete '94
you're finally here and I'm a mess................................................... nationwide arena columbus '10
memories like fingerprints are slowly raising.................................... first niagara center buffalo '13
another man ..... moved by sleight of hand...................................... joe louis arena detroit '14
Had to register for either Rep or Dem to be eligible to vote in November here in NY ...
what? I can understand about primaries but an actual election? wtf?
Do I need to enroll in a political party?
You do not need to enroll in a political party to vote in general elections. However, registering as a member of a political party allows you to vote in that party’s primary elections, to help decide who will be that party’s candidates for the general election. https://www.nyccfb.info/nyc-votes/faq
When I'm at work, I try very hard to not talk politics. It's a bookstore. I don't want somebody walking out and saying, "Well I'm not going there again, that place sucks." The more people read, the more they have a chance of learning some things.
So today, I really had to bite my tongue. A customer came in asking if we still carried automotive manuals. I noticed right off his hat with a patch on it that read, "Don't step on my freedom".
"Hmmm", I thought, "Better stay on the subject of automobiles."
While we were talking, another customer came up to pay for his books, looked at the dude with the MAGA inspired hat patch and said, "I really like your hat. Yesterday was a great day in America."
"You bet it was," the dude with the hat replied. I sat there biting my tongue, imagining blood running down my face and shirt from biting so hard, but I kept my cool.
But now I'm home and can speak my mind freely so, excuse me, but I really need to say what I wanted to say to those two dudes;
WHAT THE FUCK ARE YOU THINKING!!!
Reminds me of a bookstore in my town that recently closed. It had been focused on kids for years, probably wasn't doing the greatest...maybe breakeven if lucky. It went up for sale and someone else bought it. They kept most of the kid theme but added a lot of adult books....unfortunately they were mostly right wing books from Limbaugh, Hannity, etc. Not a good way to greet your new clientele when most of the people coming to the bookstore lived in the downtown area and were more than likely left leaning.
I think they lasted about a year....probably long enough to wait out their lease, then they closed. It's an antique store now.
Not today Sir, Probably not tomorrow.............................................. bayfront arena st. pete '94
you're finally here and I'm a mess................................................... nationwide arena columbus '10
memories like fingerprints are slowly raising.................................... first niagara center buffalo '13
another man ..... moved by sleight of hand...................................... joe louis arena detroit '14
0
brianlux
Moving through All Kinds of Terrain. Posts: 42,308
When I'm at work, I try very hard to not talk politics. It's a bookstore. I don't want somebody walking out and saying, "Well I'm not going there again, that place sucks." The more people read, the more they have a chance of learning some things.
So today, I really had to bite my tongue. A customer came in asking if we still carried automotive manuals. I noticed right off his hat with a patch on it that read, "Don't step on my freedom".
"Hmmm", I thought, "Better stay on the subject of automobiles."
While we were talking, another customer came up to pay for his books, looked at the dude with the MAGA inspired hat patch and said, "I really like your hat. Yesterday was a great day in America."
"You bet it was," the dude with the hat replied. I sat there biting my tongue, imagining blood running down my face and shirt from biting so hard, but I kept my cool.
But now I'm home and can speak my mind freely so, excuse me, but I really need to say what I wanted to say to those two dudes;
WHAT THE FUCK ARE YOU THINKING!!!
Reminds me of a bookstore in my town that recently closed. It had been focused on kids for years, probably wasn't doing the greatest...maybe breakeven if lucky. It went up for sale and someone else bought it. They kept most of the kid theme but added a lot of adult books....unfortunately they were mostly right wing books from Limbaugh, Hannity, etc. Not a good way to greet your new clientele when most of the people coming to the bookstore lived in the downtown area and were more than likely left leaning.
I think they lasted about a year....probably long enough to wait out their lease, then they closed. It's an antique store now.
I hope someday Limbaugh and company and their thinking become antiques as well.
"Pretty cookies, heart squares all around, yeah!" -Eddie Vedder, "Smile"
"Try to not spook the horse."
-Neil Young
0
brianlux
Moving through All Kinds of Terrain. Posts: 42,308
Had to register for either Rep or Dem to be eligible to vote in November here in NY ...
what? I can understand about primaries but an actual election? wtf?
I was wrong i thought i couldn't vote in midterm elections i just went back and looked and i can but now i registered as a democrat i'm just gonna leave it and change it back to Independent after November , i know for sure i was turned away from the primaries a couple of yrs back as i was not registered as a D or R ...
jesus greets me looks just like me ....
0
brianlux
Moving through All Kinds of Terrain. Posts: 42,308
When Nixon ran for president, I registered Republican so I could vote against him in the primaries. I never thought Trump had a chance or I would have done that in 2016.
"Pretty cookies, heart squares all around, yeah!" -Eddie Vedder, "Smile"
Had to register for either Rep or Dem to be eligible to vote in November here in NY ...
what? I can understand about primaries but an actual election? wtf?
I was wrong i thought i couldn't vote in midterm elections i just went back and looked and i can but now i registered as a democrat i'm just gonna leave it and change it back to Independent after November , i know for sure i was turned away from the primaries a couple of yrs back as i was not registered as a D or R ...
Does that not make perfect sense though? Why should someone not in the party get to vote who is that party's representative? Everyone gets to vote in the final election.
Had to register for either Rep or Dem to be eligible to vote in November here in NY ...
what? I can understand about primaries but an actual election? wtf?
I was wrong i thought i couldn't vote in midterm elections i just went back and looked and i can but now i registered as a democrat i'm just gonna leave it and change it back to Independent after November , i know for sure i was turned away from the primaries a couple of yrs back as i was not registered as a D or R ...
Does that not make perfect sense though? Why should someone not in the party get to vote who is that party's representative? Everyone gets to vote in the final election.
so you are saying those unaffiliated with a particular party should only be allowed in half the process? fuck that.
Not today Sir, Probably not tomorrow.............................................. bayfront arena st. pete '94
you're finally here and I'm a mess................................................... nationwide arena columbus '10
memories like fingerprints are slowly raising.................................... first niagara center buffalo '13
another man ..... moved by sleight of hand...................................... joe louis arena detroit '14
When Nixon ran for president, I registered Republican so I could vote against him in the primaries. I never thought Trump had a chance or I would have done that in 2016.
I've often wondered about that in 2020. There's at least a decent chance Trump gets primaried. What's the strategy if your politics are left-of-center? Take the R ballot and vote for a challenger or choose among the D candidates?
When Nixon ran for president, I registered Republican so I could vote against him in the primaries. I never thought Trump had a chance or I would have done that in 2016.
I've often wondered about that in 2020. There's at least a decent chance Trump gets primaried. What's the strategy if your politics are left-of-center? Take the R ballot and vote for a challenger or choose among the D candidates?
The strategy is who cares, let the country get what it deserves
Had to register for either Rep or Dem to be eligible to vote in November here in NY ...
what? I can understand about primaries but an actual election? wtf?
I was wrong i thought i couldn't vote in midterm elections i just went back and looked and i can but now i registered as a democrat i'm just gonna leave it and change it back to Independent after November , i know for sure i was turned away from the primaries a couple of yrs back as i was not registered as a D or R ...
Does that not make perfect sense though? Why should someone not in the party get to vote who is that party's representative? Everyone gets to vote in the final election.
so you are saying those unaffiliated with a particular party should only be allowed in half the process? fuck that.
Well yeah. If you aren’t apart of the party you shouldn’t be picking their candidate. I understand what you are saying but it’s really not that big of a deal to register and re-register party affiliate.
I personally would prefer it if independents could vote in 1 primary of their choosing though.
Had to register for either Rep or Dem to be eligible to vote in November here in NY ...
what? I can understand about primaries but an actual election? wtf?
I was wrong i thought i couldn't vote in midterm elections i just went back and looked and i can but now i registered as a democrat i'm just gonna leave it and change it back to Independent after November , i know for sure i was turned away from the primaries a couple of yrs back as i was not registered as a D or R ...
Does that not make perfect sense though? Why should someone not in the party get to vote who is that party's representative? Everyone gets to vote in the final election.
so you are saying those unaffiliated with a particular party should only be allowed in half the process? fuck that.
Well yeah. If you aren’t apart of the party you shouldn’t be picking their candidate. I understand what you are saying but it’s really not that big of a deal to register and re-register party affiliate.
I personally would prefer it if independents could vote in 1 primary of their choosing though.
That's how it works in Massachusetts. I'm registered Independent and can choose my ballot in a primary. If you're registered with a party, you're locked into that party's ballot.
Had to register for either Rep or Dem to be eligible to vote in November here in NY ...
what? I can understand about primaries but an actual election? wtf?
I was wrong i thought i couldn't vote in midterm elections i just went back and looked and i can but now i registered as a democrat i'm just gonna leave it and change it back to Independent after November , i know for sure i was turned away from the primaries a couple of yrs back as i was not registered as a D or R ...
Does that not make perfect sense though? Why should someone not in the party get to vote who is that party's representative? Everyone gets to vote in the final election.
so you are saying those unaffiliated with a particular party should only be allowed in half the process? fuck that.
Well yeah. If you aren’t apart of the party you shouldn’t be picking their candidate. I understand what you are saying but it’s really not that big of a deal to register and re-register party affiliate.
I personally would prefer it if independents could vote in 1 primary of their choosing though.
well we do have that in Ohio. no need to change registration.
Not today Sir, Probably not tomorrow.............................................. bayfront arena st. pete '94
you're finally here and I'm a mess................................................... nationwide arena columbus '10
memories like fingerprints are slowly raising.................................... first niagara center buffalo '13
another man ..... moved by sleight of hand...................................... joe louis arena detroit '14
0
brianlux
Moving through All Kinds of Terrain. Posts: 42,308
When Nixon ran for president, I registered Republican so I could vote against him in the primaries. I never thought Trump had a chance or I would have done that in 2016.
I've often wondered about that in 2020. There's at least a decent chance Trump gets primaried. What's the strategy if your politics are left-of-center? Take the R ballot and vote for a challenger or choose among the D candidates?
Good question. I think a lot depends on who the dems come up with.
"Pretty cookies, heart squares all around, yeah!" -Eddie Vedder, "Smile"
Had to register for either Rep or Dem to be eligible to vote in November here in NY ...
what? I can understand about primaries but an actual election? wtf?
I was wrong i thought i couldn't vote in midterm elections i just went back and looked and i can but now i registered as a democrat i'm just gonna leave it and change it back to Independent after November , i know for sure i was turned away from the primaries a couple of yrs back as i was not registered as a D or R ...
Does that not make perfect sense though? Why should someone not in the party get to vote who is that party's representative? Everyone gets to vote in the final election.
so you are saying those unaffiliated with a particular party should only be allowed in half the process? fuck that.
Well yeah. If you aren’t apart of the party you shouldn’t be picking their candidate. I understand what you are saying but it’s really not that big of a deal to register and re-register party affiliate.
I personally would prefer it if independents could vote in 1 primary of their choosing though.
That's how it works in Massachusetts. I'm registered Independent and can choose my ballot in a primary. If you're registered with a party, you're locked into that party's ballot.
I’ve seen that in a few states. Don’t know which ones. When I was in Iowa you had to be registered for a party.
Had to register for either Rep or Dem to be eligible to vote in November here in NY ...
what? I can understand about primaries but an actual election? wtf?
I was wrong i thought i couldn't vote in midterm elections i just went back and looked and i can but now i registered as a democrat i'm just gonna leave it and change it back to Independent after November , i know for sure i was turned away from the primaries a couple of yrs back as i was not registered as a D or R ...
Does that not make perfect sense though? Why should someone not in the party get to vote who is that party's representative? Everyone gets to vote in the final election.
so you are saying those unaffiliated with a particular party should only be allowed in half the process? fuck that.
Well yeah. If you aren’t apart of the party you shouldn’t be picking their candidate. I understand what you are saying but it’s really not that big of a deal to register and re-register party affiliate.
I personally would prefer it if independents could vote in 1 primary of their choosing though.
well we do have that in Ohio. no need to change registration.
Had to register for either Rep or Dem to be eligible to vote in November here in NY ...
what? I can understand about primaries but an actual election? wtf?
I was wrong i thought i couldn't vote in midterm elections i just went back and looked and i can but now i registered as a democrat i'm just gonna leave it and change it back to Independent after November , i know for sure i was turned away from the primaries a couple of yrs back as i was not registered as a D or R ...
Does that not make perfect sense though? Why should someone not in the party get to vote who is that party's representative? Everyone gets to vote in the final election.
so you are saying those unaffiliated with a particular party should only be allowed in half the process? fuck that.
If that process is to put forward a nomination, yes. Why should someone who is not affiliated with any group have a say who their nominee is? You can still vote, no one is saying if you aren't part of a party you can't vote. But why should a democrat help decide who the republicans put forward as a nominee? Most people who do just vote for the worse candidate just to make their look better anyway.
I think you should be registered to a party to vote in that primary. Perhaps in days past there was a gentlecarbonbasedlifeform's agreement that you would not interfere with a party you don't plan on voting for, but those days are long gone.
I think you should be registered to a party to vote in that primary. Perhaps in days past there was a gentlecarbonbasedlifeform's agreement that you would not interfere with a party you don't plan on voting for, but those days are long gone.
Exactly. Those who vote outside their party aren't voting for someone, they are really voting against someone else. Interfere was a good word, they are attempting to put someone else on the ballot than who they believe the party will vote for.
Had to register for either Rep or Dem to be eligible to vote in November here in NY ...
what? I can understand about primaries but an actual election? wtf?
I was wrong i thought i couldn't vote in midterm elections i just went back and looked and i can but now i registered as a democrat i'm just gonna leave it and change it back to Independent after November , i know for sure i was turned away from the primaries a couple of yrs back as i was not registered as a D or R ...
Does that not make perfect sense though? Why should someone not in the party get to vote who is that party's representative? Everyone gets to vote in the final election.
so you are saying those unaffiliated with a particular party should only be allowed in half the process? fuck that.
If that process is to put forward a nomination, yes. Why should someone who is not affiliated with any group have a say who their nominee is? You can still vote, no one is saying if you aren't part of a party you can't vote. But why should a democrat help decide who the republicans put forward as a nominee? Most people who do just vote for the worse candidate just to make their look better anyway.
If that's so bad, then why is it ok to donate money to a party then run against that party at a later date? Certainly big money has more impact than a single vote?
Trump gave tons of money to the dems and Clintons when he believed it could help him out when they were in power. Then he switched to GOP when he realized he could con them to vote for him by attacking Obama's citizenship
Seems to me if I am an independent and want to cast a single vote in either of the primaries, that would be far less damaging to our country
Had to register for either Rep or Dem to be eligible to vote in November here in NY ...
what? I can understand about primaries but an actual election? wtf?
I was wrong i thought i couldn't vote in midterm elections i just went back and looked and i can but now i registered as a democrat i'm just gonna leave it and change it back to Independent after November , i know for sure i was turned away from the primaries a couple of yrs back as i was not registered as a D or R ...
Does that not make perfect sense though? Why should someone not in the party get to vote who is that party's representative? Everyone gets to vote in the final election.
so you are saying those unaffiliated with a particular party should only be allowed in half the process? fuck that.
If that process is to put forward a nomination, yes. Why should someone who is not affiliated with any group have a say who their nominee is? You can still vote, no one is saying if you aren't part of a party you can't vote. But why should a democrat help decide who the republicans put forward as a nominee? Most people who do just vote for the worse candidate just to make their look better anyway.
If that's so bad, then why is it ok to donate money to a party then run against that party at a later date? Certainly big money has more impact than a single vote?
Trump gave tons of money to the dems and Clintons when he believed it could help him out when they were in power. Then he switched to GOP when he realized he could con them to vote for him by attacking Obama's citizenship
Seems to me if I am an independent and want to cast a single vote in either of the primaries, that would be far less damaging to our country
It was just explained. Those who vote in the primaries in another party usually have no intent on voting for that person again. It is to sabotage the other party's nominee, so they put forth a less qualified one. And that is the purpose of such voting laws, to prevent that. So that registered repubs don;t go vote Bernie Sanders in believe they have a better chance beating him, they should be allowed to vote on who they think is best, not who the other party thinks is worse. Why shouldn't the dems and repubs have their own say in who they nominate?
Had to register for either Rep or Dem to be eligible to vote in November here in NY ...
what? I can understand about primaries but an actual election? wtf?
I was wrong i thought i couldn't vote in midterm elections i just went back and looked and i can but now i registered as a democrat i'm just gonna leave it and change it back to Independent after November , i know for sure i was turned away from the primaries a couple of yrs back as i was not registered as a D or R ...
Does that not make perfect sense though? Why should someone not in the party get to vote who is that party's representative? Everyone gets to vote in the final election.
so you are saying those unaffiliated with a particular party should only be allowed in half the process? fuck that.
If that process is to put forward a nomination, yes. Why should someone who is not affiliated with any group have a say who their nominee is? You can still vote, no one is saying if you aren't part of a party you can't vote. But why should a democrat help decide who the republicans put forward as a nominee? Most people who do just vote for the worse candidate just to make their look better anyway.
If that's so bad, then why is it ok to donate money to a party then run against that party at a later date? Certainly big money has more impact than a single vote?
Trump gave tons of money to the dems and Clintons when he believed it could help him out when they were in power. Then he switched to GOP when he realized he could con them to vote for him by attacking Obama's citizenship
Seems to me if I am an independent and want to cast a single vote in either of the primaries, that would be far less damaging to our country
It was just explained. Those who vote in the primaries in another party usually have no intent on voting for that person again. It is to sabotage the other party's nominee, so they put forth a less qualified one. And that is the purpose of such voting laws, to prevent that. So that registered repubs don;t go vote Bernie Sanders in believe they have a better chance beating him, they should be allowed to vote on who they think is best, not who the other party thinks is worse. Why shouldn't the dems and repubs have their own say in who they nominate?
I suspect someone intent on showing up to vote against a candidate would just switch their party affiliation ahead of time. It's not difficult.
I really like having the option as an Independent. Especially in a Presidential primary - by the time Massachusetts' was held in 2016 several candidates had dropped out. I took the D ballot but probably would have taken the R if it was a couple months earlier.
Had to register for either Rep or Dem to be eligible to vote in November here in NY ...
what? I can understand about primaries but an actual election? wtf?
I was wrong i thought i couldn't vote in midterm elections i just went back and looked and i can but now i registered as a democrat i'm just gonna leave it and change it back to Independent after November , i know for sure i was turned away from the primaries a couple of yrs back as i was not registered as a D or R ...
Does that not make perfect sense though? Why should someone not in the party get to vote who is that party's representative? Everyone gets to vote in the final election.
so you are saying those unaffiliated with a particular party should only be allowed in half the process? fuck that.
If that process is to put forward a nomination, yes. Why should someone who is not affiliated with any group have a say who their nominee is? You can still vote, no one is saying if you aren't part of a party you can't vote. But why should a democrat help decide who the republicans put forward as a nominee? Most people who do just vote for the worse candidate just to make their look better anyway.
If that's so bad, then why is it ok to donate money to a party then run against that party at a later date? Certainly big money has more impact than a single vote?
Trump gave tons of money to the dems and Clintons when he believed it could help him out when they were in power. Then he switched to GOP when he realized he could con them to vote for him by attacking Obama's citizenship
Seems to me if I am an independent and want to cast a single vote in either of the primaries, that would be far less damaging to our country
It was just explained. Those who vote in the primaries in another party usually have no intent on voting for that person again. It is to sabotage the other party's nominee, so they put forth a less qualified one. And that is the purpose of such voting laws, to prevent that. So that registered repubs don;t go vote Bernie Sanders in believe they have a better chance beating him, they should be allowed to vote on who they think is best, not who the other party thinks is worse. Why shouldn't the dems and repubs have their own say in who they nominate?
I suspect someone intent on showing up to vote against a candidate would just switch their party affiliation ahead of time. It's not difficult.
I really like having the option as an Independent. Especially in a Presidential primary - by the time Massachusetts' was held in 2016 several candidates had dropped out. I took the D ballot but probably would have taken the R if it was a couple months earlier.
Thats true, it really isnt difficult. But the intent of the rule is still the same. Its to keep the integrity of the election. Yes, some will always find ways around it. Its like all the senior class voting for the ugly girl for prom nominee for the jr class, so their senior girl can easily win in the final vote.
Comments
Not today Sir, Probably not tomorrow.............................................. bayfront arena st. pete '94
you're finally here and I'm a mess................................................... nationwide arena columbus '10
memories like fingerprints are slowly raising.................................... first niagara center buffalo '13
another man ..... moved by sleight of hand...................................... joe louis arena detroit '14
Not today Sir, Probably not tomorrow.............................................. bayfront arena st. pete '94
you're finally here and I'm a mess................................................... nationwide arena columbus '10
memories like fingerprints are slowly raising.................................... first niagara center buffalo '13
another man ..... moved by sleight of hand...................................... joe louis arena detroit '14
https://www.nyccfb.info/nyc-votes/faq
I don't understand
Not today Sir, Probably not tomorrow.............................................. bayfront arena st. pete '94
you're finally here and I'm a mess................................................... nationwide arena columbus '10
memories like fingerprints are slowly raising.................................... first niagara center buffalo '13
another man ..... moved by sleight of hand...................................... joe louis arena detroit '14
-Eddie Vedder, "Smile"
-Eddie Vedder, "Smile"
-Eddie Vedder, "Smile"
Why should someone not in the party get to vote who is that party's representative?
Everyone gets to vote in the final election.
Not today Sir, Probably not tomorrow.............................................. bayfront arena st. pete '94
you're finally here and I'm a mess................................................... nationwide arena columbus '10
memories like fingerprints are slowly raising.................................... first niagara center buffalo '13
another man ..... moved by sleight of hand...................................... joe louis arena detroit '14
I personally would prefer it if independents could vote in 1 primary of their choosing though.
Not today Sir, Probably not tomorrow.............................................. bayfront arena st. pete '94
you're finally here and I'm a mess................................................... nationwide arena columbus '10
memories like fingerprints are slowly raising.................................... first niagara center buffalo '13
another man ..... moved by sleight of hand...................................... joe louis arena detroit '14
-Eddie Vedder, "Smile"
Why should someone who is not affiliated with any group have a say who their nominee is?
You can still vote, no one is saying if you aren't part of a party you can't vote. But why should a democrat help decide who the republicans put forward as a nominee?
Most people who do just vote for the worse candidate just to make their look better anyway.
If that's so bad, then why is it ok to donate money to a party then run against that party at a later date? Certainly big money has more impact than a single vote?
Trump gave tons of money to the dems and Clintons when he believed it could help him out when they were in power. Then he switched to GOP when he realized he could con them to vote for him by attacking Obama's citizenship
Seems to me if I am an independent and want to cast a single vote in either of the primaries, that would be far less damaging to our country
Those who vote in the primaries in another party usually have no intent on voting for that person again. It is to sabotage the other party's nominee, so they put forth a less qualified one.
And that is the purpose of such voting laws, to prevent that. So that registered repubs don;t go vote Bernie Sanders in believe they have a better chance beating him, they should be allowed to vote on who they think is best, not who the other party thinks is worse.
Why shouldn't the dems and repubs have their own say in who they nominate?
I really like having the option as an Independent. Especially in a Presidential primary - by the time Massachusetts' was held in 2016 several candidates had dropped out. I took the D ballot but probably would have taken the R if it was a couple months earlier.
Its like all the senior class voting for the ugly girl for prom nominee for the jr class, so their senior girl can easily win in the final vote.