WSJ - How The POT Vote Can Save The Dems

[kpete]

Democrats Look to Cultivate Pot Vote in 2012
Party Considers Legalization Efforts in Swing States Amid Signs California Measure Is Exciting Young, Liberal Voters

Can Marijuana Save the Democrats?

Can the Democrats smoke their way to victory in 2012? Democrats in California are generally polling ahead of Democrats in other states, and some party strategists think it’s because the state’s marijuana-legalization initiative is energizing young voters. Now party strategists are considering pushing for similar measures in swing states in 2012 in hopes that it will boost young-voter turnout. Nevada, Colorado, and Washington are all on the list. Polls are predicting higher youth-voter turnout in California this year than in other states.

THE REST:
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703298504575534321493828944.html
http://www.thedailybeast.com/cheat-sheet/item/can-marijuana-save-the-democrats/who-knew/?cid=newsflash

[mdmc]

1. I always thought the GOP would come out first

Pot would be right up their ally-
More Freedom
Less Taxes
More resources to fight violent crime

FREEDOM!FREEDOM!

k/r

[RainDog]

4. if they were smart they would have - but they have to placate the anti-science base

that doesn't believe evidence if it bites them on their collective ass. (c.f. evolution, global warming)

The truth is that politicians can point to studies that show a reduction in the use of drugs when nations deal with drugs as a health issue rather than an aspect of society to discipline and punish.

I don't expect America's dysfunctional political system to deal with this at the federal level any time soon - other than rescheduling, which would be a natural response to the current use of cannabis as a prescription drug (Sativex) in Canada, Germany and the UK.

[EC]

6. Well, kinda

the WSJ is a rightwing rag now...so why are they giving this issue to the Dems?

[Kievan Rus]

7. It would drive the Talibaptist social conservative vote away if they did that

[JuniperLea]

2. I think they just want to link Dems with Pot...

Because honestly, would you vote for Fiorina over Boxer? Whitman over Brown?

Sour grapes... first CNN, now WSJ... very telling.

[bemildred]

8. Yep, we're all hippies, that is the message. nt

[JuniperLea]

9. Dirty hippies...

Can't forget the dirty. Without dirty, we're just all about the peace and love, man!

[RKP5637]

13. Well, even damn dirty hairy hippies! Guess I better grow all my hair back! This country

sure needs a lot of peace and love, a whole lot.

[JuniperLea]

15. I encourage hair growing!

I support this!

:D

[RKP5637]

3. I can see the RW headlines now, "The Democrats want to hook you on drugs!" n/t

[RainDog]

5. 70% of American support medicinal marijuana - and have for more than a decade

I think politicians are really, really behind the majority of the American people on this issue.

Anyone who continues to spout the sort of reefer madness you mention would look as buffoonish as Tom Coburn's spasms of fear over roving lesbian gangs taking over Oklahoma high schools.



probably could add reefer madness there too.

[RKP5637]

12. I hope so, the laws are absolutely insane. And Tom Coburn is insane IMO. n/t

[BzaDem]

10. Democrats do not even need to support the initiative. Boxer is not supporting the initiative. They

just need to have it on the ballot, so people ALREADY predisposed to vote Democratic come to the polls (who otherwise wouldn't), for this strategy to work.

[RainDog]

14. This is the reality

People don't really care whether democrats or republicans oppose or back this initiative. Just like in Arizona, D.C., etc. - people just don't want the politicians to get in the way of the will of the people.

People want to overturn this prohibition across the political spectrum. It's almost like the pols are operating in their own little beltway reality and don't recognize that so many people view marijuana like alcohol, in terms of a recreational substance - and support the use of cannabis for medicine and research into its use b/c of its remarkable properties concerning shrinking of cancer tumors... and people want hemp to be legal b/c its a crop that farmers from North Dakota to KY want to be able to grow as a cash crop unrelated to what we term "marijuana."

The social conservatives are just far, far behind the curve on this one.

[Demeter]

11. That's not a very good idea, but it's the best they can come up with?

sigh. What about the Bill of Rights and habeas corpus? Aren't these a bit more important?

[bobbolink]

16. And this is the most important issue they can find...? It appeals to those who LIKE being called

whiners and retards, I guess.

RIP, Democratic Party. :cry: