In today's Hill Times, former Jean Chretien Cabinet minister Sheila Copps makes a case for parties to scrap "lieutenants" and reinvigorate local party democracy.  Ms. Copps has personal experience with the gerrymandering that takes place from party elites in the nomination process, and she speaks from a position of wisdom on this matter.

Regardless of someone's party stripes, what Copps says makes good sense.  Just ask Conservatives in the UK, where they recently held that country's first open primary, greatly increasing their chances of winning the seat.