Republicans Are Crossing Over To Vote For Hillary In State After State

[THUNDER HANDS]

A full 15% of voters who said they will be unsatisfied if she gets the nomination voted for Hillary Clinton. In contrast, only 4% of Obama voters say the same about their candidate.

Looking at other exit polls, we see a similar result. In Ohio, for example (which was also an open primary), 12% of those who would be unsatisfied with Clinton were Clinton supporters, while only 3% of those unsatisfied with an Obama nomination were Obama voters.

In Texas (open primary), 10% of those unsatisfied with a Clinton nod were for Clinton, compared to Obama's 7%.

In Tennessee (also an open primary), 11% of those who would be unhappy with Clinton as nominee were Clinton voters, and only 4% of those unhappy with an Obama candidacy were Obama voters.

The phenomenon doesn't appear to be universal (in Wisconsin, for example, the numbers break down 4% for Clinton and 6% for Obama). But it is prevalent enough to merit a closer look. Why are so many Clinton voters in some states unsatisfied with the prospect of a Clinton nomination? Does that number reflect Republican crossover votes? A little mischief perhaps? After all, Clinton did dominate the Republican vote in Mississippi (75%-25%). Is a certain block of Hillary's "support," in other words, an effort to nominate a candidate they think will be "weaker" in the general election?

Or, on the flip side (and less likely, I think), are some voters picking the candidate they thing will be the "strongest," even if they don't necessarily like that candidate?

The same questions apply to Obama's "dissatisfied" voters, of course, but to a lesser degree.

http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2008/3/12/02257/1544/210/474723

[tekisui]

1. Hillary took 77% of the puke vote(13%--highest crossover, yet).

And, I assure you, Hillary has very little appeal to the puke voter.

[rox63]

2. In MS yesterday

I saw on one of thenews sites (sorry, don't have a link handy) that 12% of the voters in the Dem primary were Republicans, and they voted for Hillary by a 3 to 1 margin. I'll see if I can find that link.

Edit to add link: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21225989

[Inuca]

3. I heard

the about the 3 to 1 on MSNBC this morning. I did not know about the % of repub vote, quite high.

[vi5]

4. "We can't have republicans determine our nominee"

Isn't that what Hillary supporters have been saying about crossover voters and open primaries?

[pdxmom]

5. I think it's become pretty clear that the Repukes want to run against

Hillary and think that is their best chance in the GE. I do believe that they aren't quite sure how they would run against Obama, but have spent years preparing for a run against Hillary and know the direction that would take. Their plan is mapped out and ready to go. The infighting among the Dems is making their job even easier.

[mod mom]

9. In Ohio:

16,000 Republicans in Cuyahoga crossed over and voted Democratic in primary

Source: Plain Dealer

16,000 Republicans in Cuyahoga crossed over and voted Democratic in primary
Sunday, March 09, 2008
Amanda Garrett
Plain Dealer Reporter

A staggering 16,000-plus Republicans in Cuyahoga County switched parties when they voted in last week's primary.

That includes 931 in Rocky River, 1,027 in Westlake and 1,142 in Strongsville. More than a third of the Republicans in Solon and Bay Village switched. Pepper Pike had the most dramatic change: just under half its Republicans became Democrats. And some of those who changed - it's difficult to say how many - could be in trouble with the law.

At least one member of the Cuyahoga County Board of Elections wants to investigate some Republicans who may have crossed party lines only to influence which Democrat would face presumed Republican nominee John McCain in November.


Those who crossed lines were supposed to sign a pledge card vowing allegiance to their new party...

-snip
http://www.cleveland.com/news/plaindealer/index.ssf?/base/news/120505162549970.xml&coll=2


Ohio GOP roots for Hillary
BY HOWARD WILKINSON | [e-mail]

One of the worst-kept secrets of the Ohio presidential primary is that Republican party leaders have a candidate they are rooting for on the Democratic side.

Her name is Hillary Clinton, and they believe that if she wins the Ohio primary and goes on to become the Democratic nominee, she will be the one who unites their dispirited and divided party and give them their best chance of keeping the White House this fall.

It is a belief that the Clinton campaign says is wrong-headed and they will campaign across the state for the next three weeks making the argument that their battle-tested, experienced candidate is the only one who can go toe-to-toe with John McCain, the presumptive GOP nominee this fall.

-snip

http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080213/NEWS01/302130097



A movement is afoot ...

Some Republicans refer to it as "the plot."

It started a few weeks ago when conservative radio powerhouse Rush Limbaugh suggested that his Republican following cross over during the primary to vote for Clinton. Clinton, Limbaugh argued, would be easier for McCain to beat in November.

Soon, local morning radio show host Bob Frantz echoed Limbaugh on WTAM AM/1100, and the buzz began to grow.

-snip

http://blog.cleveland.com/openers/2008/03/crossover_voting_was_heavy_and.html


Turned away at poll? Click here
Some are told to wait - or come back later
BY JESSICA BROWN AND BARRETT J. BRUNSMAN | [e-mail] | [e-mail]

-snip
In that heavily Republican county, officials weren't prepared for the high number of Democratic ballots requested. Some voters waited for more than an hour for new ballots to be delivered; others were asked to come back later or asked to go to the county Board of Elections to vote.

The reason: a wave of "crossover" voting, in which normally Republican voters asked for Democratic ballots. In Clermont County, turnout surged to 43 percent Tuesday - compared with just 31 percent in the 2004 presidential primary.

-snip

Secretary of State Jennifer Brunner said there was also a "crossover problem" in Akron and elsewhere in Summit County where many Republicans and non-enrolled Ohioans voted Democratic.

-snip

Of Clermont County's 128,128 registered voters, 37,714 are registered Republicans and 14,496 are registered Democrats. With all precincts counted, 26,279 people had cast Democratic ballots and 28,032 had cast Republican ballots.

Warren County has 12,440 registered Democrats and 41,377 registered Republicans. With all precincts reporting, that county was reporting 27,855 Democratic ballots cast and 28,683 Republican.

-snip
http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080305/NEWS01/803050380&template=printpicart


GOP voters crossing over in large numbers
Posted by Tom Ott, Michael Scott, Joe Wagner & Maggi Martin March 04, 2008 14:51PM
Categories: At the polls

Poll watchers throughout Ohio are noting large numbers of Republican voters crossing over to vote in the Democratic Primary between Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton.

In the Republican roost of Chagrin Falls, veteran poll worker Liz McFadden was amazed at the number of people jumping the party's ship. Democrats accounted for 70 percent of the voters in her precinct, one of seven at the village's high school.

"That's a complete reversal of what it normally is, even more so," she said. "I've never seen a switch like this."

The defectors had motives both pure and sinister.

-snip
http://blog.cleveland.com/openers/2008/03/gop_voters_crossing_over_in_la.html




EXAMPLE:

An Obama-Hater for Clinton, Temporarily
BY JASON HOROWITZ | MARCH 5, 2008 |


Meet Todd Appelbaum, a 46-year-old from Columbus, who wore a shirt that says “Osama for Obama” to the Clinton campaign’s election-night event in Ohio last night.
The white t-shirt, with an image of Barack Obama dressed in traditional Somali garb, is adorned with a blue Hillary Clinton button, although Appelbaum is not what one would call a real Hillary Clinton supporter.
“I voted for Hillary today,” he said, “because I’m concerned that, God forbid, Barack Obama will beat McCain. The enemy of my enemy is my friend.”
http://www.observer.com/2008/obama-hater-clinton-temporarily

[IsItJustMe]

12. You should start a seperate OP with this. I found it very interesting.,

[mod mom]

14. Thanks I did after the Ohio Primary here and in Election Reform forum. I also

sent to media types in attempt to bring national attention to it. I hope the super delegates are paying attention to this trick and will not allow the nefarious action of some Republicans select the Democrat that the GOP believes they can most easily beat. The movie "American Blackout" specifically deals with this dirty trick.

[IsItJustMe]

13. You should start a seperate OP with this. I found it very interesting.,

[TwilightGardener]

6. I hope the Superdelegates are taking this into account--it's clearly not sudden Clinton love.

[indio55555]

7. Most MS votes she received....

Was from the NE portion of the state...ummm that's a strong republican area.

[mod mom]

8. Limbaugh & Laura Ingraham discuss it here:

▪ What might have actually happened in Ohio and Texas? Tin foil hat?
▪ Clip:
: "Rush, I understand that the Rush Limbaugh audience is mobilizing in Texas for Hillary. Am I hearing that right?"

: "I don't know if the audience is mobilizing or not. I am urging people — I am using a phrase — the Republicans — our nominee is chosen. It's John McCain.

Texas is open. And I want Hillary to stay in this, Laura. This is too good a soap opera. We need Barack Obama bloodied up politically, and it's obvious that the Republicans are not going to do it and don't have the stomach for it.

As you probably know, we're getting all kinds of memos from the RNC saying not to be critical there. Mark MacKinnon of McCain's campaign says he'll quit if they get critical over Obama.

This is the presidency of the United States you're talking about. I want our party to win. I want the Democrats to lose. They're in the midst of tearing themselves apart right now. It is fascinating to watch, and it's all going to stop if Hillary loses.

So yes, I'm asking to cross over and, if they can stomach it — I know it's a difficult thing to do to vote for a Clinton — but it will sustain this soap opera, and it's something I think we need. It would be fun, too."

http://www.thomhartmann.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=609&Itemid=113

[mohc]

10. The crossover vote had a substantial impact on the delegate count in MS

CD1: 5 Delegates 100% Reporting
Clinton 52,682
Obama 49,521
Delegates will go 3-2 for Clinton, (3,162 fewer Clinton voters would have made it 3-2 for Obama)

CD2: 7 Delegates 97% Reporting
Obama 90,513
Clinton 27,290
Delegates will go 5-2 for Obama (2,605 fewer Clinton voters would have made it 6-1 for Obama)

CD3: 5 Delegates 98% Reporting
Obama 62,121
Clinton 31,051
Delegates will go 3-2 for Obama (4,427 fewer Clinton voters would have made it 4-1 for Obama)

CD4: 5 Delegates 100% Reporting
Obama 42,636
Clinton 41,768
Delegates will go 3-2 for Obama

Statewide: 7 At-large and 4 PLEO Delegates
Obama 253,441
Clinton 154,852
PLEO Delegates will go 2-2 (2,788 fewer Clinton voters would have made it 3-1 for Obama)
At-large Delegates will go 4-3 for Obama (Here it would have taken 14,052 fewer Clinton voters to make it 5-2 for Obama)

Total: 19-14 for Obama.

Exit polls suggest around 50,000 voters were Republicans, at 75%-25% preference for Clinton, that would amount to netting 25,000 votes for Clinton. With the exception of CD4 where Obama barely won the extra delegate, Republicans likely caused Obama to lose out on some delegates. The most likely outcome would have been 23-10 for Obama, but could have even been 24-9 if the At-large delegate had flipped too.

[mod mom]

25. This is occurring in other states as well-TX, OH etc

[elixir]

11. AND I'M LOVIN' IT. A TASTE OF YOUR OWN MEDICINE, MY FRIEND.

[spin]

15. That's why I oppose open primarys...

Registered Democrats should vote for the Democratic candidate without interference from Republicans (and vice versa). Just seems to be common sense. Kind of like a Pittsburgh Steelers fan getting a vote on who should be the Cleveland Browns quarterback.

[QC]

16. OK, it was very, very good when Republicans were crossing over to vote for Obama,

but it is suddenly very, very bad when Republicans cross over to vote for Hillary.

One thing about it--no one could ever accuse the Obamatologists of a foolish consistency--or any consistency at all.

[DUyellow]

19. Difference is that they support him. look at the exit polls.

[bigtree]

21. Oh, right. republicans would NEVER lie to the pollsters

:eyes:

[DUyellow]

22. so they lie for Clinton, but tell the truth when it is Obama.

[bigtree]

24. who says they tell the truth at all?

You've never read anything from me which asserts republicans tell the truth. Ever.

Point is, it was fine for Obama to rack up delegates and votes, enabled by republicans in some states when Clinton was pulling in the majority of Democratic votes, but, not for Clinton. It's just fine for Obama to claim overwhelming support as HE'S been enabled by those votes, but, in your view, not Clinton. I think that smells.

[Medusa]

17. They are dying to have her as the Dem Nominee

they know that she is the ONLY Dem candidate who could excite the GOP fundies into turning out to vote for McCain.

[Yurovsky]

31. exactly ...

they know where to dig up the dirt on Hillary and Bill (I'm sure both Chimpy & Bill have the Emir of Dubai & the CEO of Haliburton on speed dial).

Obama is far harder for them to lay a glove on. If they try to cite the "experience" angle, it only highlights how old McCain is, and I don't think anybody (Democrat, Independent, or even Republican) who can recall Reagan's last months in office wants a repeat of that.

[bigtree]

18. when they voted for Obama, supporters told us we should welcome them

crock, meet pot.

[DUyellow]

20. Difference is that they support him. look at the exit polls.

[bigtree]

23. and these republicans would certainly tell the truth to pollsters

'Yup, I support Obama."

How hard was that?

[DUyellow]

26. they are lying when they go to the rallies? And they were lying to me when i went door-to-door.

numbers, math, reality, all lies too.

[bigtree]

30. So you're assertion is that republicans at Clinton's rallies aren't there in support

. . . but republicans at Obama's rallies ARE there in support.

Or that your canvassing should be seen as the beat-all in evidence of your assertion? Is there ANYWAY that you could POSSIBLY be privy to EVERY thought and intention of every republican who participated in our primaries?

[DUyellow]

32. didn't say that, nor did i say that clinton does not have cross over support. what i am saying

is that the numbers do not lie, when 15% of the people who voted for her do not want her has president, you need to start asking what is going on with that. You are saying that the 15% of the people who voted for Clinton LIED when they said that they wouldn't want Clinton as president. I am giving a more logical reason. The republican crossover vote, highest than in any contest yet and went 3 to 1 for Clinton, do not actually support Clinton but just want to mess with the vote.

YOU BRING NOTHING TO THE TABLE, you just say everybody is lying, you have no logical argument.

[Dawgs]

28. Did you even read the OP?

You should really stop making a fool of yourself.

[bigtree]

29. oh, another character attack

are you going to lecture me on racism as well?

[tyne]

27. Oh c'mon people

Please tell us you're just kidding.

It's one thing to have more repub support for the GE and beyond.

It's quite another, to have them doing it so McCain can win.

Please tell us that you understand this. Please.

[ps1074]

33. difference is

In the early states, the crossover vote was 3% and Obama won a substantial part of it. That's his appeal I guess. There is nothing wrong with 3-4% of republicans liking a dem candidate.

In the latest primaries however, the percantage is 10-12 and it favors Clinton by 3 to 1 margin. Yesterday according to the CNN exit poll, 12% of the voters in the democratic primary were republicans and they voted for Clinton over Obama by 75% to 25%.

You see the difference, right?

[tyne]

37. No...I don't think they do.

[paulk]

34. is this the new Obama talking point?

because a couple of weeks ago it was all about what a great thing it was that Republicans were crossing over to vote for Obama.

[BigDDem]

35. republicans vote for Obama - TERRIFIC!!!

republicans vote for Hillary - TERRIBLE!

[aquarius dawning]

36. The Ohio Republicans I know hate Obama and voted for Hillary to keep him out of the game.

they want the contest to be between Hillary and McCain because they can somewhat tolerate either one because they are both moderate enough to appeal to the center (which is where Ohio finds itself politically). They can't live with a Barack Obama presidency and will come out in force against him in November. Given the severity of the division within the democratic party and the probability of Republicans rallying against Barack Obama, I really don't think he'll win Ohio. I think a lot of people are being set up for a heartbreak.