Coming Down to the Wire on California Open Primary Proposition 14

OPEN PRIMARIES

• Louisiana Open Primary Law Would Make Cao Re-Election Uncertain (BayouBuzz, By Christopher Tidmore) Hence the problem for Congressman Cao--who represents one of the most Democratic district in the nation. An unspoken, but key part, of the re-election strategy of the first Republican to ever represent the 2nd District was an assumption that a prominent African-American candidate would run as an Independent and divide the vote away from the Democratic nominee (currently likely frontrunner State Rep. Cedric Richmond). Several potential African-American Democrats have entertained the notion, not willing to suffer a bruising primary.
• Idaho GOP warns of non-Republicans crossing over in primary elections (By Brad Iverson-Long, Idaho Reporter)

PROP 14

• Top Two Primary Measure Looks Like a Winner, Unless ... (By Joel Fox, Fox & Hounds) Independents are stronger, with much more influence, than fourteen years ago. The movement of independent minded voters who want to buck the establishment has already churned up the political process by rejecting old hands Arlen Specter in Pennsylvania and Robert Bennett in Utah while jumping on newcomer Rand Paul's bandwagon in Kentucky..... If turnout is low and mostly hard-core party voters come to the polls, they may take their party's recommendation and vote No. From my vantage point, that may be the best hope for the No on 14 forces to prevail.
• Thomas Elias: Now's the time to push for reform (Appeal Democrat)

FLORIDA

• Crist Leads, With Dem Help (By Reid Wilson, National Journal/Hotline) Crist's support comes from a broad coalition of partisan and non-partisan voters, the poll found. He has support from 39% of independent voters, 38% of Dems and 26% of GOPers. 

NYC CHARTER REVISION

• Like It or Not, the Issue of Term Limits Is Back (By CLYDE HABERMAN, NY Times)
• City Charter Commission Meets at Borough Hall Tomorrow Evening: All Invited (Brooklyn Heights Blog)
• Community boards spared further cuts (By Patrick Rocchio, Bronx Times-Reporter)
• Now, City Party Bosses Do Little Moving and Shaking (By SAM ROBERTS, NY Times)

NEW YORK

• Cuomo Adds Former GOP Officials To His Campaign Team (By: Josh Robin, NY1) Since launching his campaign over the weekend, Cuomo has emphasized reaching out to Republicans and independent voters, saying he wants to focus on rebuilding Albany.
• Andrew Cuomo, Reconsidered (By DANNY HAKIM, NY Times/City Room) “What is needed is someone who is willing to do what it takes to right the ship of state,” Mr. McKeon said in a press release from the Cuomo campaign, which announced his role in an effort to reach out to Republicans and independent voters.
• Bloomberg Aide Is Key Witness - Mayor's Assistant Helped Arrange Cash (By MICHAEL HOWARD SAUL, Wall Street Journal)