Primaries vs. the smoke-filled rooms

Back in the 1960s the concern was that the "people" did not have a say in the nomination of candidates for office. Most all was decided in the so called "smoke-filled rooms," by party committees, - Democrats and Republicans. So, with good intent we created a system of people influence, that has backfired.

Most of the people voting in the Primaries are some kind of activists and active on the left and the right - which means that a moderate candidate will not win the primary, - even in a moderate district.

Folks, it is the system that is wrong more than the people. Or you can blame all the non-primary voting moderates in each party. Can you imagine a party nominating committee in either party who would nominate Trump or Biden again? So, maybe we should get back to some system of party nominating committees with grown-ups and reasonable realistic people.

I think it would serve our country to go back to the "smoke-filled rooms" - without the smoke.

Peter Orum

St. Charles