Is The Old Guard Marginalizing Most Americans? Why They Hate Primaries.

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Programming Note:

Livestream Show Wednesday 9/3 7pm: Thrilled to have Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal as a guest to discuss fighting back and what actually works! Link: https://open.substack.com/live-stream/54644?utm_source=live-stream-scheduled-upsell

Next Week’s columns: Labor, Independent Media, and a Surprise

https://open.substack.com/live-stream/54644?utm_source=live-stream-scheduled-upsell

It is not an overstatement. When Old Guard party players of both major parties try to squelch primaries or rig them, it marginalizes voters. This must end.

Democracy advances, grows stronger, and is better represented through the primary process. Primaries prevent the status quo from creating regressive inertia and inaction among our representatives.

Quite simply, our country is stronger and more democratic with primaries.

The best example is how Democrats swept out Old Guard Dixiecrats—those old-time Southern Democrats who were racist and came to power in the 1800s-1950s. Through a series of primaries, Democrats pushed out racist incumbents and candidates, replacing them with more moderate or non-racist alternatives (perhaps not completely, but significantly better) from 1955 to 1980. The Dixiecrats eventually moved to the Republican Party or became lobbyists.

We face another kind of Old Guard that needs replacing, and it can be done. Currently, these Old Guard leaders act like deer in headlights, refusing to be proactive or plan ahead.

The origins of primaries date back to the early 1900s when party bosses, akin to old Russian royalty, controlled nominations. Before the primary movement, nominees were often selected behind closed doors by a small, influential group of party leaders, allowing political machines to dominate, who many saw as corrupt.

Progressive reformers like Wisconsin Governor Robert M. "Fighting Bob" La Follette championed the direct primary as a way to return control of nominations to the voters. Wisconsin led the way, passing a law in 1903 for direct primary elections for state offices, which voters endorsed in a referendum. Wisconsin’s success inspired other states to adopt similar reforms.

This created a pilot program that spread nationally...

State-level adoption: By 1917, nearly every state had adopted direct primaries for some or all statewide offices.

Weakening party power: The new system allowed candidates to appeal directly to voters rather than seek approval from party elites, shifting power away from party bosses to individual candidates.

National conventions weakened: Presidential primaries began in the early 1900s but wielded little influence until the late 1960s. Party leaders maintained control of national conventions through tactics like “favorite-son” candidates and unpledged delegates.

Rise of the modern primary: After World War II, primaries became the dominant method for presidential nominations, though party leaders still kept control until the 1970s.

Party pressure and growth: In the 1950s, political pressure led more states and parties to use primaries to select nominees.

Full adoption after 1968: The presidential nomination process opened up significantly following the tumultuous 1968 Democratic Convention. By the 1970s, most states had adopted primaries, making them the standard method.

The reason primaries grew so powerful is simple: they work.

A primary allows candidates to tell their story, campaign hard, persuade voters, and most importantly, promise to be their constituents’ authentic voice and votes. It ensures they listen and act accordingly.

Some call it the survival of the fittest, but it’s even more powerful—an assurance that your representatives will truly partner with you and heed your concerns.

Right now, the Old Guard is blocking primaries within the Democratic Party, arguing something like: “Oh no, we can’t fight or have opinions, because it might offend the MAGA movement. We need vanilla candidates to win against MAGA types.”

Let me compose myself and stop laughing—because that’s truly hilarious.

MAGA cares about one thing: MAGA. It’s an identity, not a policy platform.

We need fighters—people who know their districts and constituents inside out, who will stand up and fight for what their communities want. We will never convince the 33% of Americans who identify as MAGA that there’s a better way. Stop worrying about labels and party lines—focus on providing real solutions that work, and your constituents will respond positively.

What do Americans want from their representatives?

• Boldly fight for new ideas to address the affordability of everyday goods, groceries, housing, healthcare, gas, and education.

• Boldly fight for safety—against fascism, authoritarianism, illegal deportations, city takeovers, climate change, gun violence, and criminal enterprises.

• Boldly fight to curb the overwhelming influence of billionaires and create a fair economy.

The keywords for Americans seeking solutions:

“BOLDLY,” not a passive or vanilla approach.

“FIGHT,” not leaders who hide or give up.

“NEW IDEAS,” not recycled or outdated solutions.

Primaries rid ineffective leaders and bring in new, effective ideas.

Support primary challengers and incumbents who embrace innovative actions.

Don’t believe the Old Guard nonsense about “sticking together”, “it’s not the right time” or “being bold is risky.” Because it ain’t so folks. We need our best and brightest for this fight against fascism and violence.

Demand your party leaders stay out of primaries and stop them from automatically supporting the incumbent. Don’t let them marginalize your voice

Remember the incumbents us brought to this place.

We, the people can get us out of it, if we choose wisely.

Have a great weekend,

M

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