The Buzz: Early vote leaning Obama's direction? (Florida)

Tampa Bay Tribune ^

[Chet 99]

After four days of early voting last week, it looked likely that Barack Obama had taken the lead in ballots cast in Florida. We don't know how they voted, of course, but Democrats had cast 653,573 votes — 316,853 absentee mail votes and 336,720 votes at early voting locations. Republicans had cast 652,648 votes — 457,395 absentee and 195,253 early votes.

A St. Petersburg Times-Bay News 9-Miami Herald poll found that among voters who said they intended to vote on Election Day, John McCain had a 10-point advantage.

"We understand the Democrats are going to try to run up the score on early votes. In 2004 certainly Democrats had an advantage during the early vote period, so we anticipate that may happen again,'' said senior McCain adviser Mike DuHaime. "But I feel that our numbers in the absentee ballots, as well as the number of people who are going to turn out and early vote and the number of people that are going to turn out on Election Day, will more than compensate."

[Chet 99]

After four days of early voting last week, it looked likely that Barack Obama had taken the lead in ballots cast in Florida. We don't know how they voted, of course, but Democrats had cast 653,573 votes — 316,853 absentee mail votes and 336,720 votes at early voting locations. Republicans had cast 652,648 votes — 457,395 absentee and 195,253 early votes. A St. Petersburg Times-Bay News 9-Miami Herald poll found that among voters who said they intended to vote on Election Day, John McCain had a 10-point advantage.

I'm no math whiz.. but don't these numbers (if true) actually suggest a McCain blowout win in FL????

[Reagan69]

Gee, I look at those numbers and think BO is in trouble. Only 1000 more Dems early voted?

AND, by the way, I changed my registration from R to -D- during operation chaos, here in FL. I early voted so I’m one of the Democrats’ early voted but I DIDN’T VOTE FOR BO!!!

I VOTED FOR SARAH !

[Proudcongal]

Yes, I actually think this looks good for McCain. Absentee ballots will start really flooding in this week and Republicans are more inclined to stand in line on election day.

[Rumierules]

I’m no math whiz.. but don’t these numbers (if true) actually suggest a McCain blowout win in FL????
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I agree.

[6SJ7]

The headline does not fit the story content. I realize that’s nothing new with modern MSM style reporting.

[rep-always]

Yes, that’s called we work and they are home doing nothing. My entire family, 24 of us in total and countless friends still have not voted and will vote Republican either early or on election day.

[AmericaUnited]

Plus, Obama’s voters always vote early since they would get the DT’s if they had to wait till election day to get that promised bottle of Mad DOG 20-20.

[snarkytart]

Yes, and that’s not unreasonable to believe when you look at the HUGE older white and Cuban population that will not vote for Obama.
After Castro’s endorsement, Cubans in FLA will come out heavy against Obama. I mean, they’re already conservative, but that will bring huge numbers out to vote.

[Reagan69]

Chet, are you in FL?

[TypeZoNegative]

I was going to highlight that. The Puma and the Operation Chaos movement are in those Democrat totals who voted, so this might break in HUGE favor for us.

[GoMonster]

I live in Florida as does both my sisters and brother in laws as well as my mother and father. We all have yet to vote. We are waiting for election day. So that is 8 more Republican votes.

[rep-always]

Well, I can proudly say that I was able to convince my liberal, Jewish, Democrat co-worker and her husband to, for the first time ever, cross party lines and vote McCain. They already did (absentee).

[randita]

Doesn’t FL get a lot of military absentee ballots? Those should break 3 to 1 for MacPalin.

[jessduntno]

The Republican voters have to work.

[impeachedrapist]

Okay, forget about who crossed over. Let's assume equal support for each. Out of 1.3 million votes cast, Obama has an edge of about 900 votes.

Not exactly an overwhelming level of support for the Obamessiah, is it? Yet the pollsters are still assuming a massive turnout advantage for Democrats. [giggle] And I was reminded again and again and again how badly The One outspent McCain down in Florida. Oops.

As each day goes by I'm more convinced of victory. But keep pushing. We need to deliver some House/Senate/Gov races as well!

[latina4dubya]

I'm no math whiz.. but don't these numbers (if true) actually suggest a McCain blowout win in FL????

they have the nerve to celebrate a 1,000 vote lead? they are putting on a game face... they are not happy about this...

[rep-always]

For info, we are in Miami. Americans of Cuban descent.

[GoMonster]

look i am giving you an honest story. My good friend and his dad who loved Bill Clinton and are true and true Demorats hate Obama. They are Jewish as well and are 100% voting McCain. If they are voting for McCain there has to be more as they are as Democrat as you get.

[Captain Peter Blood]

Well at the chance I sound a little racist, I have noticed that a lot of Blacks are doing a lot of early voting/ No doubt most of them are going for Obama. But keep in mind that is early voting.