Whatever the outcome of Tuesday’s crowded congressional and statewide contests in California, the results are unlikely to heal a longstanding national schism: Political parties in the Golden State have never played the same role as their counterparts in the East.
California has a proud tradition of independent voters and weak, often irrelevant political parties. The parties do not (with rare exceptions) run machines, anoint candidates, produce strong leaders, turn out big votes or elicit great loyalty. Instead of gnashing teeth over the uncontrollable “jungle primary,” national pundits might do better to understand the fundamental reality of politics in California. CONT.
Miriam Pawel, New York Times