To prevent future Donald Trumps, Republicans call for closed primary seasons

Swallowing the Donald Trump pill has been rough for many in the Republican establishment, leading to a discussion about shutting out independents and Democrats from helping to pick future nominees during the primaries, Politico reports.

"We now have a progressive, Trojan horse candidate that manipulated the open primary process to hijack the GOP nomination," Colorado GOP activist Kendal Unruh explained.

In states with closed primaries, Ted Cruz often beat Trump — a fact that has not gone unnoticed. Even Republican National Committee Chairman Reince Priebus argued that "only Republicans should vote in Republican primaries." Some others have made a case for softer rules — let the states decide — but pointed out the advantage to having a closed primary system.

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"If you're not a Republican, then you can wait for the general. Democrats shouldn’t have a role in choosing our nominee," Colorado Rules Committee member Guy Short told Politico.