OPEN-PRIMARY SYSTEM PRODUCES SKEWED RESULTS

Open primaries are gaining renewed attention as the Republican race between John McCain and George W. Bush heats up. McCain is winning primaries with crossover votes from independents and Democrats.

But here's the real question: Are Democrats voting for McCain because they want him as president? Or is he getting large number of Democratic voters because they feel he's the weaker candidate and could more easily be beaten by the Democratic candidate in November?

If the majority of people are voting for any candidate just because they want to beat him, the open-primary system is a sham. It's unfair to the parties and to the candidates.

This is not a new development. People have always crossed party lines to vote in primaries. Take the Michigan primary. Bush was supported by two-thirds of Republicans. McCain was supported by two-thirds of the Democrats and Independents casting ballots in the GOP primary. Open to all comers, Michigan's Republican primary drew more non-Republicans than party members.

Part of the problem was that Michigan had no Democratic primary on the same day. If Gore and Bradley had been going head-to-head, more Democrats would have paid more attention to their own primary.

Not all states have open primaries. Some require that only registered Democrats and Republicans get ballots from their parties. But key states like California changed from a party-only primary to open primaries because of the success of Ronald Reagan in attracting support across party lines.

Missouri is an open primary state and is gearing up for its first presidential primary since 1988. It is part of Super Tuesday (March 7) when 11 states hold primaries.

There may be less crossover voting in Missouri because five political parties are on the primary ballot. On the Republican side, it's winner take all. Thirty-five delegates and the same number of alternates will be bound to vote for Missouri's GOP primary winner on the first convention ballot.

Missouri Democrats will choose delegates based on the percentage of votes each candidate receives. In all, Missouri will send 92 Democratic delegates and 13 alternates to the national convention.

Many voters like primaries. They are seen as a way to involve more voters in deciding nominations as opposed to caucuses. But it's also important that primaries help parties decide who is the best candidate not who is the best candidate to beat.

Primaries aren't cheap. In Missouri, the March 7 voting will cost an estimated $3 million. Typically, a primary is the only issue on the ballot for most states, so the cost can't be spread out among other issues.

Each state's parties should watch this presidential primary season closely. If the primaries aren't electing a party's choice, then a revamp of the system may be needed in four years.

Many voters are weary of spin doctors and political campaigns that twist the facts. Let's hope this negative approach doesn't damage the open primary system that most states have embraced.