EPIC TURNOUT FOR DEMS -- We Are Out of Ballots!
Posted on 01/08/2008 12:11:53 PM PST by jdm
Turnout for the first primary election of the season has gotten so large that some precincts have run out of Democratic ballots. That bodes ill for both Hillary Clinton, who may see a rerun of Iowa's caucuses in a large independent turnout. It could also spell trouble for a Republican:
New Hampshire Deputy Secretary of State Dave Scanlan told ABC News that turnout is "absolutely huge, and towns are starting to get concerned that they don't have enough ballots."
Scanlan voted Tuesday morning, and said the line in his polling location in Concord, the state capital, was "out the door."
Turnout was particularly high in Portsmouth and Keene -- both of which are overwhelingly Democratic, as well as Republican-leaning Hudson -- And some towns were running out of Democratic ballots, with independents favoring that contest over the GOP race.
At this point is heavier than it was four years ago -- a positive sign for Obama and Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., both of whom are depending on large numbers of independent voters to back them in their primary races.
It certainly spells trouble for Hillary. She polls better than Barack Obama among the party's base, but Obama shines among independents and younger voters, the latter of whom rarely turn out in large numbers. If the youth vote gets activated as it did in Iowa, it means a big day for Obama and a potentially embarrassing finish for the long-time Democratic frontrunner. It could even threaten her with another third-place finish, as Edwards also polls better among younger voters than Hillary.
Conventional wisdom has McCain benefitting from a big turnout -- but in this open primary, that depends on the behavior of independents. If most of them decide to cast their votes in the Democratic primary, McCain could find himself struggling. He appeals more to independent Granite State voters, who appreciate his maverick tendencies. If he can't get a big enough boost from independents, he may slip out of the lead while Romney collects the Republican votes. It could change the entire dynamic of McCain's rise over the last few weeks -- which may wind up benefiting Obama instead.
>>Conventional wisdom has McCain benefitting from a big turnout — but in this open primary, that depends on the behavior of independents.
Who might take a Dem ballot and vote for Obama to stick
it to Hillary.
KINKOS anyone?
I have some stuffed in my socks
If I was a republican in NH I might be tempted to vote for obama or edwards to make sure the beast is not nominated.
just wondering if a lot of that is happening
I think that Obama is doing so well because Independents and Republicans are voting for him in order to keep Hillary off of the ticket in November. I believe many in her own party detest her as much as the VRWC does.
Good point. The Obama vote might be more an anti-Hillary vote.
I agree. I think the spell has been broken and they are voting more against Hillary than for Obama.
It’s kind of amazing to watch.
Vote early, vote often... great for winter tourist season too...
Conventional wisdom has McCain benefitting from a big turnout — but in this open primary, that depends on the behavior of independents. If most of them decide to cast their votes in the Democratic primary, McCain could find himself struggling. He appeals more to independent Granite State voters, who appreciate his maverick tendencies. If he can’t get a big enough boost from independents, he may slip out of the lead while Romney collects the Republican votes. It could change the entire dynamic of McCain’s rise over the last few weeks — which may wind up benefiting Obama instead.
Thats my best guess as to whats actually happening in New Hampshire today. McCain was the ‘it’ Candidate for NH in 2000.
Obama is the ‘it’ candidate this time around. The fact that they ran out of Democrat ballots tells me Independents are swarming the dem primary to vote for Obama/Against Hillary.
That means John McCain - never a darling of the GOP base at any point in time - is left looking for a seat tonight when the music stops.
When The Evil One gets the nomination due to the superdelgates, a very large number of these hopeful/excited independants will STAY HOME!
The Democratic debate on Saturday was watched by 2 million more people than the Republican debate.
Clouds on the horizon . . will the Huck-a-boom help?
Somehow, I don't think we're making "herstory" today.
It would be nice to see both Hillary and McAmnesty to get spanked in the same primary.
The Hildabeast and the AmnestyBeast slayed in the same day
I think Hillary will lose big in New Hampshire, and her campaign manager will spin it something linke this: “Due to a lack of ballots, a majority of her supporters did not have a chance to vote.”
So I expect them to play the “not-enough-ballots” card to cover the embarassment in losing to Obama.
Cheer up, I think Obama will win by 15.
...and when they end up with a vote count larger than the population?.../s
Independant breaking big towards Dems..
Goodbye McCain...you may win, but this development, if true, is an albatross around your neck going forward.
It would be nice to see both Hillary and McAmnesty to get spanked in the same primary.
The Hildabeast and the AmnestyBeast slayed in the same day
Then, when the data is in, it's been no different than previous elections.
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