Quote:
Originally Posted by Cali Coug
Of course having a contested primary is adding voters to the polls. But you are a fool if you think that is the sole (or even biggest) factor right now driving people to vote. Look at the turnout in the primaries in 2004 or 2000 for the Democrats which were contested and compare that turnout to 2008. Get back to me on your results. Take a look at the turnout in Michigan and Florida too, even knowing their votes wouldn't count at all! Sure, the turnout would have been higher if those states were contested, but with no contest, no advertising, and assurances that their votes would be meaningless, a total of 2.34 million people voted in the Dem primary in those states (compared to a total of 914,000 in 2004). You have blinders on in this election, Tex. It isn't going to go well for Republicans. Boehner and the House Republicans know it, and I think you do too but don't want to say so.
Compare the Dems turnout at any point in time during this primary season to that of Republicans as well. You simply have to conclude, if you are being honest, that the Democrats have a ton of passion and energy this year that independents and moderate Republicans are latching onto, as well as groups that previously haven't been involved at significant levels in the political process
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Heh, the elections of 2000 and 2004 were
not "contested" elections by the definition we're using here. I'm amazed "if you are being honest" that you'd even bring them up. I don't remember the last time the Democrat party had a nomination contest last throughout the entire primary season, but it wasn't those.
I don't disagree that Democrat turnout is generally higher, the contest notwithstanding. The current political climate lends itself to that. But if Democrat turnout in November (or voter turnout in general) greatly exceeds the '04 turnout (as a percentage of the population) I will be surprised, and I expect it to be less. I think 2004 saw the greatest voter turnout since 1968.
And I still don't see why we're bringing Republican turnout into this debate. As far as my argument is concerned, it has nothing to do with them.