Doesn't the top two primary make Rossi even MORE vulnerable than a closed primary? Murray could get 55-60% of the vote, opening the possibility that the #2 candidate could move onto the general election with just 20 or 25%.

The football dude is making my pants tight.

@1

No.

In a closed primary, only Republicans would vote for Republicans. Since the Tea Bagger/ far right movement is a significant portion of the GOP, they would have a much bigger influence. They are not that big of the overall electorate however.