Can GOP Voters Spoil the Dem Race?

In recent weeks, conservative talk radio stars Rush Limbaugh and Laura Ingraham have urged loyal listeners to vote for the much-despised Clinton in open Democratic primaries so as to prevent Obama from sealing the nomination, and there are some indications that their calls have already been heeded in states like Texas and Mississippi.

Even in the crucial swing state of Pennsylvania, where the April 22 primary is closed to independents and Republicans, there are signs that some Republicans are going so far as to switch their party registration by the March 24 deadline to participate in what Limbaugh has dubbed "Operation Chaos."

Aside from the point that calling for anything like this is completely against the American ideal of fair play, it's for situations like this that state governments should stop footing the bill for the political parties' beauty contests.

As staunch supporters of lower taxes and judicious spending at state and local levels, I know both of these lick spittle media whores will support any movement to limit the use of taxpayer money for party-affiliated expenses.

State and local governments should get out of the business of the nominating process and force the parties to decide their candidates on their own dime.