For those of you wondering about the record early voting turnout

[Moonbeam_Starlight]

in states with early voting, wondering if it really does mean good things for us, think about this:

Which is more likely, that the record early voting turnout was because so many people loved the last four years so much that they want MORE or that so many people are so unhappy about the last four years that they want a change?

Seriously, which of those two scenarios do you think is more likely?

Answer that and you'll have your answer as to whether record voter turnout benefits us or not.

In Dallas County, Texas, 195,000 people voted early in 2000.

In 2004, 325,000 people voted early.

130,000 more voters. It almost DOUBLED.

That has happened all over the country.

Which scenario do you think it is from?

[Indiana_Dem]

1. It just HAS to be what you think.

My small town of ~12,000 voters had a 35% increase of early voting--2200 people. A Dem poll worker said today there have been LOTs of young people voting early. It HAS to mean people want this guy out and are jumping at the chance to get him out. I can't see it any other way.

[Moonbeam_Starlight]

2. I can't either

typically an incumbent doesn't inspire heavy turnout.

A republican incumbent ESPECIALLY doesn't.

And I think MOST republicans don't really believe the whole "oh I'd be so terrified if Kerry were president."

I think WE'RE more horrified, by far, at the idea of another four years of bush than they are at the idea of a Kerry presidency.

That alone is motivation to GOTV for us.

[Indiana_Dem]

3. Good point.

My mom said tonight on the phone that she's so afraid Bush will win. He strikes fear in people! People are afraid of what the next four years of bush would bring!

[soggy]

4. i voted 2 weeks ago in dallas county...

and i can sure promise you it wasn't because i wanted four more years of this hell. there was a palpable agitation, if not anger, in the faces of the voters i saw. we're just flat out pissed.

[wrate]

5. You don't stand in line for hours to keep as President a person

who has brought so much shame to America. It just doesn't make sense.

I am 100% certain that the phenomenal turnout is American's answer to Bush's extremisms because the great majority of Americans are "moderate". It is only a very few who are absolutely in love with him or that hate him. And this very few are not enough people to create this exceptional early voting. This is my primary reason for assuming that the "silent majority" wants this guy gone, that many Republicans will cross the lines or not vote and that the Democratic and Independent voters will show up to vote in great numbers.

Bush has pushed too hard and too far this last four years, and to every action there is an equally powerful reaction but in the opposite direction. That is what we are all witnessing. Kerry will win by a landslide.

[Matthew22]

6. Little Rock

People waited in lines up to five hours to vote today. Arkansas still in play.

[Technowitch]

8. Excellent! And welcome to DU, Matthew22!

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

9. Welcome to DU

Let's hope your state turns blue again :thumbsup:

[Technowitch]

7. Exactly what Wrate said--

You don't stand in line for hours to keep an incumbent. Not unless he's really, really beloved and you fear like crazy that the forces of the opposition will bring him down.

Now mind you, this IS the motivation for some of these folks. But there's no way in hell it represents even a majority of the early voters.

Kerry in a landslide, baby.

And before anyone objects, yes we know -- we still need to GOTV. Thing is, we can still feel pumped and optimistic AND know that we need to give our new President-elect the biggest damned mandate since FDR won re-election.

-Technowitch