05-08-2008, 07:05 PM | #61 | |
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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.
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"Have we been commanded not to call a prophet an insular racist? Link?" "And yes, [2010] is a very good year to be a Democrat. Perhaps the best year in decades ..." - Cali Coug "Oh dear, granny, what a long tail our puss has got." - Brigham Young |
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05-08-2008, 07:36 PM | #62 | |
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And we are bringing Republicans in because MY explanation for the high turnout is that it is due to energy on the Dem side in opposition to Republicans. If it was a simple function of there being a contested race, then the Republicans would have also seen an equivalent turnout in their contested primaries (through Florida) as the Democrats. They didn't see even close to the same turnout because the contested election isn't the reason people are voting in droves (like you want it to be). Again, check Michigan and Florida where the election wasn't contested at all (and where the votes literally didn't matter at all) and compare to 2000 and 2004. |
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05-08-2008, 07:57 PM | #63 | |
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On second thought you're right, it is more than the fact it's a contested election. We have two highly polarizing individuals running, one who thinks she should be coronated and the other who thinks he's the Messiah. Moreover, we have a race run not on issues, but on identity politics. As a consequence, their followers (read: YOU) are highly agitated and motivated. Dean's were like this too. Kerry's weren't. Gore's are now, but probably weren't then. I don't think either Romney's or McCain's reached this kind of fever pitch. So you're right, this cycle is especially unique. I think you'd have to go far back in either party to find the like ... probably Reagan/Ford or maybe McGovern/Humphrey (?). The point is, I don't think it carries over. One of your guys wins, Obama (likely) or Clinton, and these "record turnouts" fade into standard election-year trends.
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"Have we been commanded not to call a prophet an insular racist? Link?" "And yes, [2010] is a very good year to be a Democrat. Perhaps the best year in decades ..." - Cali Coug "Oh dear, granny, what a long tail our puss has got." - Brigham Young Last edited by Tex; 05-08-2008 at 08:01 PM. |
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