tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5013768528807903362.post9013348161389246668..comments2023-05-04T08:38:45.160-07:00Comments on Gridlock: Can Our System Address America’s Big Problems?: Orrin Hatch: Too Moderate for Voters?karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11242198015369699322noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5013768528807903362.post-80299062115830351282012-04-18T10:04:29.101-07:002012-04-18T10:04:29.101-07:00Orrin Hatch provides a unique case study where he ...Orrin Hatch provides a unique case study where he seemingly embodies everything that is wrong with congress, while also being pushed out on allegations that he is overwhelmingly moderate, a stance that could potentially aid in overcoming gridlock. I think this exposes third party interest groups, such as FreedomWorks, as the engine that demands a partisan stance from our representatives. Theoretically, as mentioned in the post, the “old boys club” of congress can be pointed to as the source for gridlock and unwillingness to compromise. However, Senator Hatch is being eviscerated because of his approach that resembles the antithesis of unwillingness, but instead reeks of moderation. It would be interesting to see how his campaign would fare in the arena suggested, the open primary. With such a hyper-partisan American demographic, would voters be willing to meet in the middle and elect a notoriously moderate candidate?John Culliganhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13422713963004060889noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5013768528807903362.post-73820013592626671592012-04-17T21:33:29.133-07:002012-04-17T21:33:29.133-07:00It is truly an example of the polarization of Wash...It is truly an example of the polarization of Washington as a response to a polarized electorate. Here the electorate is being presented with a moderate candidate and yet are choosing to move farther to the right. That said, it would be interesting to see what would happen if an open primary system were to take hold in which the groups critical of Hatch have proportionally less of a voice.Colin Wardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16944337324600903999noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5013768528807903362.post-33019452842708959572012-04-17T20:59:40.261-07:002012-04-17T20:59:40.261-07:00I really agree with you as to how irrational prima...I really agree with you as to how irrational primary voters and political organizations are - it's surprising to me that electability is so often an afterthought, rather than at the forefront of the conversation. I do wonder if this is more of an issue for Republicans rather than Democrats, though. Are Republicans just more inclined to stick to their guns, as we heard from Representative Price? Or is compromise as a universal value being sacrificed in favor of strict faith to the party? I think open primaries would return the issue of electability to voters- with traditional primaries, issue-specific organizations and PAC's have too much of a say and favor more polarizing candidates.Samantha Lachmanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03927022163016863932noreply@blogger.com