Republicans continue to shatter turnout records; Democrats are WAY down compared to 2008

[davidn3600]

Republicans continued to shatter turnout records in their presidential primaries and caucuses Tuesday, while Democrats lagged behind in what analysts said was a clear indication of an enthusiasm gap heading into the general election.

Virginia’s GOP primary tallied more than 1 million votes, shattering the record set in 2000 by more than 50 percent. Democrats, meanwhile, were 200,000 votes shy of their own record, set in the contested 2008 primary.

In Tennessee, GOP turnout crossed the 800,000-vote mark, leapfrogging the previous record by nearly 50 percent.

Records were also likely to be set in Georgia, Texas, Alabama, Arkansas, Oklahoma and Massachusetts.

Democrats, though, were struggling, seeing turnout drop by massive levels in all of their races Tuesday night. That included Vermont and Arkansas, where their two candidates had home-state advantages of sorts, yet still couldn’t match the enthusiasm of the 2008 contest.

http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2016/mar/1/donald-trump-drives-republican-turnout-to-record-d/

[grasswire]

1. perhaps we should not be comparing vote totals to 2008...

....because that was such a transformative election. Once in a lifetime election.

Perhaps we should compare to 2004, when Kerry was running against Bush. That might be a more proper comparison for turnout.

[hfojvt]

24. exactly

you cannot always beat your best year.

In 2008, the media made the story about Obama vs. Hillary with the winner quite likely to be the next President.

This year the media has made the story about Trump vs. the world. Look at the way even WE obsess over it in GDT (General Discussion Trump).

[closeupready]

2. I suppose many Dem voters are, like me, in very blue states

which are going to go blue no matter what, so it really doesn't matter if we vote or not.

[RussBLib]

15. at least show up in the General Election

[Skittles]

3. ...

Hillary and Bernie look like they could be in a Cialis ad - Triumph the Insult Comic Dog

[HassleCat]

4. Voters may be listening to the media

They're hearing, "It's all over for the Democrats, boring Clinton beats boring Sanders. Yawn!" But they describe the Republican contest as an exciting battle between interesting candidates. Might have something to do with it.

[Ford F-150]

5. This primary race was over

January 20th, 2009

She's next in line ya know...the coronation and all...

[mucifer]

6. It doesn't feel good. Seems right now like we are gonna be stuck with prez trump.

[artislife]

7. Hopefully, he gets bored a few months in

and he has slightly less wacko people to actually run the country.

[ReallyIAmAnOptimist]

8. Three factors...

1. Apathy secondary to the "inevitability" propaganda.
2. Plus HRC's unfavorability numbers (which are higher than any candidate since Carter).
3. Finally, the GOP are whipped up after 8 years of Obama, like the Dems were after 8 years of W.

[Ford F-150]

9. Points 1 & 2 I agree with...

however on 3, I think it's the beginning of the GOP stampede to the polls to make sure Hillary does not win...

[ReallyIAmAnOptimist]

14. Exactly...

...the GOP reaction to the inevitability 'storyline'.

[Kingofalldems]

10. I see the Moonies are concerned about us.

Why would you post this?

[Octafish]

13. David Brooks of the New York Times is a Moonie.

Now he's everywhere.

http://www.apj.us/20060508Scoobie.html

Can't stand the guy.

OP is doing us a service, pointing out what the Reich is working.

[marmar]

16. Regardless, it's true.

[TipTok]

17. Why do you bother interacting...

Last edited Wed Mar 2, 2016, 12:15 PM - Edit history (2)

If you just want a rah rah circle jerk?

I rarely see you question if something is true or not. It's usually something along the lines that it's inappropriate or not from a list of approved sources or just a bummer.

The intellectually honest man will look for all facts and not pick and choose the ones that confirm his biases.

[Kingofalldems]

19. Like the Moonies, I do not care what you think either.

BTW, the polls say either Bernie or Hillary beats Trump in the GE.

I bet that doesn't sit well with some.

[TipTok]

20. Just trying to help you become a bit more grown up and well rounded...

... so the rest of the group can benefit.

As for polls between either Bernie or Hillary vs Trump...

Yes... What's your point?

[Kingofalldems]

21. You're not trying to help me do shit.

[TipTok]

22. I think that's an excellent example of what holds you back...

Emotional overreaction blinds you to acceptance of objective fact...

Either way... Good luck...

[Kingofalldems]

23. Yeah, that's what ol' Rush says.

Yep--the good old 'you're emotional' card.

[TipTok]

25. I would posit that Rush is more like you are now...

... and a quality example of someone so driven by ideology that he can't form a coherent and honest argument since he doesn't consider all the facts.

Just the ones that appeal to him...

[Kingofalldems]

28. Fail.

This is DU, not free republic. You know absolutely nothing about me by the way. Just throwing out personal insults. Keep it up.

[TipTok]

30. No insults here...

At least from my side...

Just an observation and a friendly suggestion that would help you out.

[Kingofalldems]

34. Not asked for and not welcome.

Posted my opinion on the OP--you jump in with personal insults.

Here are your words:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1014&pid=1364628

Try living by them.

[TipTok]

35. From the link that you posted...

http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1014&pid=1364628

"I would have others respect my right to free speech...

... as I do for them with no expectation that I am shielded from something I might find offensive"

What do you object to in that statement? I'm curious...

[leftyladyfrommo]

11. Just wait until people come out to vote against Trump

The numbers will go way up.

[Iggo]

12. Thanks, Debbie !!!

[Shankapotomus]

18. I was afraid we'd lose momentum

I'm supporting Bernie but I've had worries that in the quest to raise Bernie it would hurt Democratic momentum toward the presidency if Hillary had more momentum. I don't have a problem with people supporting Bernie (I do myself) but if the momentum is turning to be with Hillary more than with Sanders and some liberals are making Hillary seem like an immoral choice, that is going to damage Hillary's momentum against the republican candidate.

And I warned about this way before anyone announced their candidacy and the Sanders supporters (of which, again, I'm one) were saying "Don't worry. I'm going to vote for Hillary if she is nominated."

But now you hear some democrats saying I won't vote for Hillary if she's nominated because she's been so demonized by the Sanders campaign.

I argued here way back that politics was about slow evolution and the Sanders supporters assured me it was about revolution. And in some cases that may be true. But now we may be getting a nominee whose momentum may be damaged. That has to be repaired.

[beachbum bob]

26. the conservatives have a lot more hate and anger fueling them

primary turnout doesn't equate to general election turnout....

[revbones]

27. But I keep hearing about how excited people are to vote for Hillary!

[Democat]

36. Why don't you say Hillary and Sanders?

This is an article about turnout and excitement for both candidates.

[whatthehey]

31. So? The Kardashians get more viewers than Meet the Press

It's just the train wreck appeal. That clown car atmosphere will be gone by the GE, leaving either a Cartman caricature or a hated pariah (or I suppose at the outside a jumped up student council president) running against a politician for a political office. It's one thing to follow the celebrity personality cult when it doesn't matter, and another when the launch codes are up for grabs.