[legion]

http://news.yahoo.com/s/realclearpolitics/20071019/cm_rcp/jindal_likely_to_take_seat_for

The state's primary system is unique: The preliminary round of voting includes candidates from all parties, and the top two vote-getters, regardless of party, advance, provided none makes it past 50%.

The process, according to political watchers in the state, means voters form fewer allegiances to parties and more connections to individual candidates. "It's degraded the party connection that you see in other states," said the Democratic operative. That means candidates cannot rely on a base vote, like they would in other states. "What you see is that voters are really voting personality and voting the people," the independent professional said.

Hmmm....I don't see "voters form[ing] fewer allegiances to parties" as a bad thing. Maybe this format could be exported to other states? God knows Illinois is corrupt to the core, and much of that core comes from Chicago...