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Re: On Prioritizing the Popular Vote (none / 0)

From as early as last fall there has been many statements and declarations in the media and elsewhere that the MI situation would eventually be resolved and there might even be a later primary or caucus in compliance with the calendar. Although MI has an open primary, voters must choose to participate in either the Dem or the Rep contest but not both in any given election cycle.

Democrats knew this and by voting in the Republican contest they knew they would not have the opportunity to participate in a later Democratic revote. Also the brains at DailyKos decided to push their MI readers to vote for the unelectable Romney to put the Republican Primary into chaos. By playing these games they knew that they were opting out of participation in the Jan Democratic Primary or any later revotes.

It should also be noted that the Democratic Primary in MI had record turnout. Any suggestion that Democrats stayed home so the results were skewed are specious. Also Obama campaigned in MI by having surrogates tell his supporters to vote uncommitted. Hillary followed the DNC rules to both the spirit and letter. If anything there is an argument that gave Obama an advantage in turning out his supporters that Hillary hadn't.


Jon Winkleman
by Jon Winkleman on Fri May 16, 2008 at 10:29:46 AM EST
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Re: On Prioritizing the Popular Vote (2.00 / 1)

First off, I live in Ann Arbor, a bastion of progressive politics in this state.  I also teach adults who live in Metro Detroit who are overwhelmingly Democratic voters.  I assure you that no one I knew thought there would be a re-vote at any point.  Many stayed home.  Most people I discuss this with oppose counting that contest as such, even some who are Clinton supporters.  The group I refer to includes retirees, school teachers, clergy, academics, undergraduate and graduate students, business people, lawyers, and health care professionals.  None of us "knew" what you claim we did.  A few voted Clinton and a few voted uncommitted.  Most did not participate at all.  You may argue this is not a representative sample, as it is anecdotal, but you will need provide data to counter this perception.  But again, please do not presume to tell us what we knew.


The future is unwritten
by Strummerson on Fri May 16, 2008 at 10:40:34 AM EST
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Re: On Prioritizing the Popular Vote (none / 0)

It should also be noted that the Democratic Primary in MI had record turnout. Any suggestion that Democrats stayed home so the results were skewed are specious.

False. Turnout has been up all over the country this year. That doesn't mean that many people in Michigan didn't stay home because they knew that the election was illegitimate.

If you don't think that knowing that the election wouldn't count for anything would keep lots of people from wanting to vote, I have some oceanside property in Kansas I would like to sell you.


by chicagovigilante on Fri May 16, 2008 at 10:42:08 AM EST
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oops forgot a fact here. (none / 0)

Michigan was one of the few states were the Republican vote was more than the Democratic vote.  As I remember the states were.

Utah-as conservative a state you can get

Arizona-Favorite son factor

and the only other two states were Florida and Michigan. Seems to be pretty clear that there was an effect on the voter turnout.

Remember, you must judge something in context of the environment, not just as a stand alone


"You might well think that. I couldn't possibly comment"
by xenontab on Fri May 16, 2008 at 01:22:01 PM EST
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