Wisconsin has an open primary, meaning the voter does not have to declare party affiliation to vote

[ElsewheresDaughter]

Since McCain has seemingly wrapped up the GOP nomination, I see the potential for mischief among Republicans today and in Texas. They could muddy the Democratic waters by voting (however insincerely) on the Dem side of the ballot. While criticism of the existence of super-delegates is warranted, those party members can offset GOP shenanigans in open primary states. A hundred years ago, there were no primaries. The party bosses chose the candidates without input from the general public.

and that's just the way it works folks.

[GodlessBiker]

1. How do you prove that there were insincere votes?

[sjdnb]

6. I thought it was an urban legend, but Repug mischief cited in Milwaukee news blog

"John Urban, a 40-year-old anesthesiologist, said he voted for Obama because the Republican race already seems decided and he doesn't want to give Hillary Clinton a chance in November." (Brookfield - GOP Suburb just west of Milw Co.

"Take Audrey Murray, a 74-year-old registered Republican. She said she voted for Barack Obama at Glenwood Elementary School in Greenfield (Milw. Co. suburb) - but not because she likes him.

"I don't want to see Barack Obama get elected president," said Murray, a retired banker. "I don't want to see Hillary Clinton anywhere near the election."

Murray said she believes a lot of Republicans are voting in the Democratic primary in order to weaken the challenge to McCain."

"Mike Burlingame, a 48-year-old corrections officer, is a Mike Huckabee supporter who voted for Hillary Clinton at Lincoln Elementary School in Cudahy.

Here's his reasoning: He really doesn't want Barack Obama. He thinks his vote would be wasted on Huckabee, so he's crossing over and voting for Clinton though he plans to vote for McCain in November. Bottom line: "I want to knock Obama out."

Personally, I don't think the GOP stands a chance in the GE whether it be BO or HC -- but, I guess some Republicans can't give up the illusion they are still in control quite yet. Sad, but true.

One appeared sincere ...

"At West Allis Central High School, Paul Haseler, 86, and his wife, Evelyn, 87, who both voted for George W. Bush in the last two elections, said they, too, both voted for Obama.

"I think we're just fed up with what they (the Republicans) have been offering us," Paul Haseler said. "It's time for a change."

[ORDem]

7. I wonder if there is any evidence from exit polls that this sort of

thing happens. I've been tempted occasionally to do just that, but I never did, and I suspect most people wouldn't be this insincere with their vote. I know the argument gets made that Candidate A or B benefited from opposite party meddling, but I suspect this is way overblown, a red herring. Might matter in a close race, but I don't think WI is going to be close, frankly.

:dem:

[damntexdem]

21. Every vote is a sincere vote, even if it's a sneaky one.

I say: get those Republicans used to voting Democratic Party.

[HeraldSquare212]

27. And how do you determine which candidate they voted for?

Anecdotally, it seems both candidates are getting votes.

[TwilightGardener]

2. It's supposed to be a very tight race between Obama and Hillary--

It may turn out in her favor--would you object if Indies and Repubs crossed over to vote for her? Why not wait and see the results first.

[ElsewheresDaughter]

11. Yes I would

[scheming daemons]

3. Lowering expectations already.... and got their built-in excuses ready....

...

[ShortnFiery]

15. No worries, not even RushBo could get right wingers to vote for "Hillary."

They viscerally despise her. Yes, much more than Obama. :evilgrin:

[tekisui]

4. RW radio hosts in WI were telling their listeners to cross-over and vote Hillary.

And Fox was telling their viewers to cross-over and vote Obama.

Maybe they will cancel each other.

[islandmkl]

14. or maybe the cross-direction will make their heads explode

from the confusion...if you believe two brain cells colliding can cause much of any kind of reaction

[ElsewheresDaughter]

22. so your insulting Dems stating, "they only have 2 brain cells".....CICADA BUSTED

[islandmkl]

26. you don't seem to track the posts very closely, do you?...

uhhh...RW...2 brain cells....

[ElsewheresDaughter]

28. nah you can't clean this one up

[ginnyinWI]

20. that's what I'm thinking, too

they really can't decide who they hate/fear the most.

Also on the religious right station callers were saying they were voting either for Huckabee or Ron Paul. So some of them are still trying to protest-vote against McCain.

[rinsd]

5. Obama, winning the Democratic nomination one GOP vote at a time!

GopBama!

[GodlessBiker]

9. Winning the general election that way, too.

[rodeodance]

18. do you honestly believe that Repugs would vote Dem come nov?

[GodlessBiker]

19. A repug is someone who is registered as a repug. Yes, I think some will.

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

29. Yes.

Take a listen.

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=19055513

[tekisui]

16. Every state that he has won, he won with the majority of the Democratic vote.

The Indys and pukes gave him a small cushion.

[John Q. Citizen]

8. I have heard Hill is getting a lot of support from The American Nazi Party. (ANP) Have you heard

that also?

[ShortnFiery]

10. Oh let me guess? If they don't DECLARE a party, then they are not TRUE Democratic voters.

Well gee, if they "vote democratic" then IMO, they're DEMOCRATIC VOTERS. :crazy:

Now that is truly desparate. :thumbsdown:

So now, during the primaries, we are strictly "The United States of The Democratic Party?" and not "The United States of America." Gotcha! And should HRC win, good luck with that General Election thingy? :eyes:

[ElsewheresDaughter]

12. can you read?

[jackson_dem]

13. Damn, so we know Obama is going to win now since rethugs and rethug "indies" love him

[MonkeyFunk]

17. Yep

I'm not a fan of open primaries. We had 'em here in CA and I didn't like then.

I think Democrats should elect our nominee.

[Viking12]

23. Yawn.

[LTR]

24. Wingnuts are not that motivated to vote for candidates they don't like

Let me count the ways:

1. I live in Wisconsin. I can attest that it is friggin' cold outside (about 10 degrees). Most people aren't going to go out and drive on icy streets to the local school or whatever and stand in a long line during the dinner or lunch hour to vote for people they don't give a shit about, no matter what radio goofballs like Charlie Sykes or Mark Belling order them to do. If they do, it will be in smaller numbers than most people think.

2. You overestimate how many Republicans are going to vote just to get a better opponent. You give them way too much credit. There are no hard numbers, but I'm sure it's a very small number, unless you have proof otherwise. I'm sure many are indifferent. Most people are passive.

3. Even if they did vote for some sneaky, dastardly reason, who cares? It's a free country, let 'em do what they want. The process should be open to everyone. I detest this whole party snobbery thing.

4. The Democrats have two strong candidates. Win-win.

5. I would be the first to step out and welcome crossover voters who want to support a candidate on the opposite side. I know people who in the past voted GOP, but they are voting for the Dem of their choice because they're fed up with their party.

6. Most people do not align themselves with a political party. They are middle-of-the-road. Many independents are taking a great deal of interest in the election this year.

7. The political process should do all it can to open the voting process to as many people as possible. That also includes young voters just entering the process. An open primary makes it easier.

8. I don't want pollsters assuming what my ballot is. I would like to make that choice myself.

9. "American Idol" is on tonight.

10. I like my open primary.

[jpak]

25. I don't get it - closed caucuses = bad; open primaries = bad

What's "good"??

:shrug:

[gmudem]

34. Only states that Clinton wins

Duh! Any other state doesn't count/has a bad system/is a red state/insert excuse here.

[ElsewheresDaughter]

30. an MSNBC KICK

[Renew Deal]

32. When will you realize that your candidate is a disaster?

And that the same thing would happen in the GE?

[ElsewheresDaughter]

35. only when the fat lady sings

[Roland99]

31. First it was Obama was just winning caucus states. Now it's excuses that he's winning open primaries

[mudesi]

33. More excuses

Clinton is a DLC corporate shill and voted for the war.

That's why she's losing.

[Occam Bandage]

36. You know what else is open?

The general election.

[tammywammy]

37. Only 9% of voters identified as republican

Though they did split 70/30 Obama/Clinton.

[ElsewheresDaughter]

38. all the best words in the world don't mean anything without actions

[LittleClarkie]

39. All the Republicans I know said they'd vote for Hillary

because she was the weaker of the two candidates and McCain could beat her.

[ElsewheresDaughter]

42. that isn't what a DU Obama supporter that worked the WI poll said.

[Cass]

40. I don't like these open primaries.

The democratic nominee should be selected by registered democratic voters, period. Why the heck should republicans be allowed to have a vote in the democratic nomination? (Same goes for the other side - registered republican voters should decide their nominee.) I don't understand why its done this way.

[ElsewheresDaughter]

44. agreed...closed primary is the only way to prevent these Rove/Repuke shenanigans

[Medusa]

41. Yet another state that "doesn't count" huh?

Seems to be a reoccuring meme in these parts. :eyes:

[Mass]

43. I was wondering what the excuse would be. Now we know.