Michigan Dems make mischief in Repuke Primary

[Laura PourMeADrink]

http://www.politico.com/blogs/burns-haberman/

Via Aaron Blake, Michigan Democrats sent out an email urging supporters to go out and vote next Tuesday...in Michigan's Republican primary.

The Michigan primary is open, meaning Democrats and independents can vote in it, and many political watchers have assumed the Democratic Party might make such a play in a bid to impact the outcome, and keep the race churning forward.

That's what happened in the 2000 Republican primary in Michigan, when John McCain won over eventual nominee George W. Bush.

In this case, Democrats - while not saying it explicitly in the email - are hoping for a Rick Santorum win over Mitt Romney, which would deal the native Michigan candidate a serious blow, and keep the fight on.

UPDATE: JMart sends along the video the Michigan Democratic party has sent out.

[kenfrequed]

1. Eh...

I doubt it is statistically significant.

Democrats really aren't all that lock-step and usually can't be bothered to organize enough to pull something like this off. What is the source for the supposed Democrats pushing for McCain to win in the 2000 primary?

[LisaL]

4. We better not end up with President Santorum

because of these idiotic machinations.

[kenfrequed]

8. Doubtful

It is highly unlikely that anyone will motivate a sufficient number of Democrats to actually make it out to the polls to vote for republican in a primary. It is even less likely that that will have much impact nationally.

[tokenlib]

11. Actually a large number of dems went out in 2000 for McCain

Governor Engler as popular as arsenic to Dems had promised the primary to W at the time. Although there was some sort of organizing it was said in the Detroit area--it was more a "common group think" that sent a lot of us to the polls for McCain. I apologize I don't have data to prove it--but a lot of us believe it happened and took part in it.

And if the Rmoney/Santorum race is as close as the polls indicate--don't discount the possibility. Gov Snide-er is about as popular as Engler with Dems snd has endorsed Rmoney. I want to go vote myself..but can't decide between the culture warrior and Willard..they both give Obama opportunities.

[kenfrequed]

15. Hmm

I would need to see some numbers to accept this possibility. I wouldn't doubt a few pranksters wouldn't give it a shot, but it just doesn't sound plausible to me.

More likely, this is just a charge used as spin by the losing candidate against whoever happens to win. Hell, at this point it is possible that this kind of talk being tossed around now is just expectation management so that if Romney manages to win his campaign will claim it to be some sort of major victory and if he loses it will be results poisoned by 'Democratic infiltrators' who are trying to 'soften up Obama's opposition.'

[JI7]

20. i remember this and Dems did do this in 2000 because the Gov at the time endorsed Bush

and that Governor was very unpopular among Democrats, especially black voters. so they went out and voted for McCain but it was more of a vote against the Governor who had endorsed Bush. had nothing to do with mccain or bush.

that Kevorkian Lawyer also got involved in some way. i don't remember exactly, maybe running ads or robocalls .

but McCain ended up winning only because of the Dem turnout.

i don't think as many Dems will come out this time because in 2000 there was a known common enemy that got them to come out. but i'm guessing Santorum will do better than McCain among Republican voters so even a smaller turnout among Dems could maybe help him win over mccain.

[Old and In the Way]

2. I see nothing wrong with this.

If it's open and that's the rules. We have a vested interest in who becomes the next POTUS...and I might vote for the lesser of the 2 evils..or, if I thought it would help get Obama re-elected, the greater of the 2 evils.

[LisaL]

3. I personally think it's stupid.

I don't see anything that suggests Santorum will be an easier opponent than Romney. Nobody knows what will be happening 9 months from now.

[Liberal_Stalwart71]

16. This is just my opinion, but the goal is not to make Santorum the candidate.

The goal is to drag this thing out for as long as possible. Most of us understand that Mitt Romney will ultimately be the nominee.

[LisaL]

17. Dangerous games to play since you don't know the outcome.

And there are other two you can vote for instead of Santorum if you really just want to mess up Romney's chances.

[Liberal_Stalwart71]

21. True. Maybe the Democratic voters in MI will think long and hard about that strategy

and instead vote Third Party or for lesser known candidates. Santorum isn't that far behind Romney in the one-on-one match ups with Obama. However, after his dismal performance last night, he may be further behind.

[Ikonoklast]

23. Santorum would lose in a landslide.

He wouldn't even carry the Catholic vote.

[Laura PourMeADrink]

18. agree 1000% nt

[RandySF]

5. Payback for 1972.

Republicans voted in the 1972 primary and helped George Wallace win.

[palin2013]

6. I certainly think that people from Michigan have a duty to go out and vote for Santorum next week...

the longer this drags out, the more the GOP will be drug down

[MichiganVote]

7. Oh the GOP will be "drug down" alright. Just wait and see.

[LisaL]

10. Or it gives them the chance to pick someone entirely new in a brokered convention.

People shouldn't play stupid games if they don't know how these games will turn out.

[Vincardog]

12. Are you calling people exercising their constitutional right to vote a "stupid game"?

[LisaL]

13. What would you call voting for someone like Santorum?

[Vincardog]

14. If you can make it illegal for people to do stupid things no one would

vote Republican

[Laura PourMeADrink]

19. very funny !! nt

[WI_DEM]

22. Daily Kos is pursuing this mischief, too. I'm not so sure

let them pick their own nominee--we can beat any of them on the issues.

[Renew Deal]

24. How is it mischief if it's completely legal and republicans have invited Dems to vote?

That makes no sense.

[LisaL]

25. Republicans have invited Dems to vote?

Why?

[Renew Deal]

26. Why?

Because they wanted their primary paid for with public money.

[tokenlib]

27. A rec for the "mischief makers"!!

Seeing Willard lose the MI primary would be highly entertaining.. The pundits will have something to talk about. Willard still has the money and the establishment. I've seen a lot of smirks and smiles since the Mich Dem Party email yesterday assuring us we can vote in the GOP primary and still caucus as Dems...

So I think we're gonna have some fun here next week with Frothy. How to go to the polls with a straight face will be a challenge... Those of you who take this too seriously or want to discount the mischief--go ahead... But a lot of us are going to have a little fun....

[LisaL]

30. I just hope all this fun doesn't lead to president Santorum.

[surrealAmerican]

28. I would have thought the real trouble makers ...

... would be voting for Ron Paul.

[LisaL]

29. That would certainly make much more sense than voting for Santorum.