Ralph Nader ballot access attorney Bruce Afran

The Democratic Party leadership suppresses challenges from within. The control the resources to get on the primary ballot. Only someone naive to the political process could suggest as you have.

Also the same people who donate to primary candidates also belong to corporations that are TV advertisers, thus suppressing that access too.

Do you really believe that the actions of the party occur without the candidates' knowledge and consent? "Wasn't me"? Party manipulation of ballot choices should be a political topic to be addressed. Candidates come to tiny groups in tiny towns across Iowa practically drooling for registered voters to promise to caucus for them. Pass the buck, and you've revealed your true character.

I was a Democrat for nearly 20 year, active in a Democratic club, run for party office, involved in Democratic presidential campaigns, countless local races. The "machine" controls resources down to the most active neighborhood associations who get their funding and support from local elected officials who are part of that machine.

Been there, done that, first hand for far too many years. You can not beat the Democratic Party "machine" (except in very rare cases).