Michigan seeks to ban Independents and Democrats from Republican primary in 2008

Michigan GOP Chairman Saul Anuzis, has appointed a commission to come up with a new primary system that will ensure that Republicans pick their own standard-bearer. The state GOP leaders want the new system to give grassroots activists a greater role in the selection process which could include either barring Independents and Democrats from the GOP primary or the return of caucuses or a nominating convention to the state.

TYL believes every American should have the opportunity to vote in either party’s Presidential primary. Individual voters should have the opportunity to vote for the individual candidate in any election that s/he feels would best represent him/her. The move by GOP leaders in Michigan to either remove moderate and independent voices from the primary vote or to move to a caucus system will have a polarizing effect on politics and lead to the continued disenfranchisement of the 40 percent of Americans who call themselves independents.