February 25, 2000

Such votes are what it takes to be elected

Some Republicans, especially those who support George W. Bush for president, have lamented the primary votes by independents and Democrats for John McCain.

They complain that primaries should be decided by registered party members, despite laws in some states that allow crossover voting.

There is irony in their concerns. Drawing votes from independents and members of the other party &emdash; admittedly most important in general elections &emdash; is what it takes to get elected.

Those are the kinds of votes that would be cherished by any nominee &emdash; Bush, McCain, Al Gore or Bill Bradley &emdash; when November arrives.

After primaries in which Bush was favored by a majority of Republicans and McCain attracted most of the independents and Democrats voting the Republican ballot, the real question is this:

If nominated, would McCain be more likely to get the support of Republicans who now favor Bush, or could Bush be expected to gain the votes of independents and Democrats who now back McCain?

We'll never know, because only one will be nominated.

The good news is this. The choices being offered by the main candidates of both parties in the primaries have attracted the public's interest and swelled the numbers going to the polls.