Republicans Crossing Over to Vote in Democratic Contests

[DeepModem Mom]

NYT: Republicans Crossing Over to Vote in Democratic Contests
By LARRY ROHTER
Published: May 3, 2008

....Since the start of the primary and caucus season in January, Republican voters have been crossing over in increasing numbers to vote in Democratic contests — supplying up to 10 percent of the vote in states that allow such crossover voting — and they are expected to play a pivotal role in the fiercely contested primary here. What is less clear, however, is the motivation for their behavior: are they genuinely attracted by the two Democratic candidates? Or are they mischief-making spoilers, looking to prolong a divisive Democratic fight or support a candidate Mr. McCain can beat in November?

Local Republican Party leaders in Indiana concede the attraction of the Democratic candidates to some of their party members. And interviews with roughly a dozen Republican voters in central Indiana suggest that they are driven mainly by concerns about the economy, with discontent over Bush administration policies driving their involvement in the Democratic race....

The drift has given some comfort to Democrats worried about the searing divisions in their party. Surveys of voters leaving the polls and official vote tabulations indicate that both Mr. Obama, of Illinois, and Mrs. Clinton, of New York, have benefited from the Republican crossover vote, though to different degrees and in patterns that vary by state. Initially, Mr. Obama seemed to be getting the bulk of the vote, attracting moderate Republicans who quickly came to be known as Obamacans and lacing his stump speech with references to them. But more recently, Mrs. Clinton’s share of the crossover vote has grown....

***

Clouding the picture, however, is a campaign by Rush Limbaugh, the radio talk show host, urging his listeners to cast their ballots for Mrs. Clinton “if they can stomach it,” in order to prolong the Democratic race and weaken the eventual winner....But Republican voters interviewed here said that Mr. Limbaugh was not a factor in their decision to vote in the Democratic primary, and that it was the issues that propelled them. “I disagree with the Democrats on things like abortion and immigration, but I feel that the Republican Party I grew up in is out of touch with the middle-class family,” said Dave Nichols, 40, the owner of a small memorabilia business in Fort Wayne, who has heard of Mr. Limbaugh’s effort and is supporting Mrs. Clinton....

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/05/03/us/politics/03crossover.html?ref=todayspaper&pagewanted=all

[mac2]

1. The party should not allow it since they want the candidate

to win be the most beatable by their party candidate. Or we end up with a "moderate" who is not moderate at all but a Republican.

Who listens to Rush anymore but corporate whores who are propagandizing?

[EmeraldCityGrl]

2. Don't Be So Sure Their Intentions are Honorable

In WA. State they nominated their candidate primarily thru caucus, while Repugs do so in the primary leaving the primary
for Dems mainly a beauty contest. Don't think it didn't cross my mind to register and vote for Huckabee in the primary.
I didn't...just saying it crossed my mind.

[DeepModem Mom]

3. Good point, EmeraldCityGrl -- welcome to DU!

[mac2]

4. Caucus is a undemocratic way of picking a candidate.

Democratic party leadership has to become more self interested and "democratic" in picking candidates for office.

[EmeraldCityGrl]

5. Bullpucky

It provides a format for the average voter to make an argument in their candidates favor, not unlike we do on this board.

Many Clinton supporters switched over to Obama during the final tally due to listening to their neighbors debate the issues
rather than relying on the MSM's slanted reporting. Participating in a caucus is an empowering experience and the early ones
were the launching pad for Obama's campaign. The old party rhetoric does not play well in this format.

[mac2]

6. Debate candidates in a town hall or meeting.

Don't do it at the last minute and then vote. Republicans can join the debate and have their say to destroy the chance of a Progressive candidate. Can't be too this or that can we?