I’ve been hearing about Republicans crossing over and voting in the Democratic primary for Obama. Since I didn’t witness such behavior at my own precinct while I was there (and, in fact, my precinct captain called me later in the evening to say he hadn’t seen any of the usual Republicans at our precinct), I really didn’t give it a whole lot of thought. Hillary lost Virginia. I was ready to move on to help her win in other states.
But then I saw this article. The part that jumped out at me:
Stephen G. Trent, the chairman of the Suffolk Republican Party, who talked with election workers in five precincts, said longtime Republicans were getting Democratic ballots so they could vote against Clinton.
“People who never voted for a Democrat in their lives said they were going to vote in the Democratic primary,” Trent said.
“But if the Democrats think they’ve got something going here in Suffolk, they’re whistling past a graveyard.”
So, while anecdotal, there does to appear to have been some crossover voting for Obama. The question in my mind is why? I see two possible scenarios.
The first is that the Republicans who crossed over did so because they support Obama and intend to vote for him in November. Those are obviously not the folks Trent is talking about here and perhaps he’s just blowing smoke to try to put a good face on things.
The second possibility is the one that I’ve hinted at before: that the Republicans really don’t want to face Hillary. If they truly believed that Hillary Clinton was the one candidate who could unify the Republican Party behind their candidate, why not cross over and vote for her?
So what do you think? If they did cross over, why did they? Inquiring minds want to know 😉
Bonus question: I find the results in the 9th CD, where Hillary and Mike Huckabee won, mystifying. The only explanation I’ve been able to come up with is that because that district had relatively low turnout (like most primaries) that the only voters were the party faithful. Any ideas on this?
VIVIAN J. PAIGE | All Politics is Local 
Politik is right. I heard a caller on the Sean Hannity show say the very same thing. She said she voted for Obama because she doesn’t believe he can win against McCain. She felt McCain didn’t need her to win the primary. I think a lot of other Republicans have done the same thing, which gives false positives in the amount of people who would actually vote for Obama in November.
The Republican crossover effect is very real. Many registered R’s are now changing party to “Unafiliated” in order to vote in D primary – such as is the case here in North Carolina. There are a couple of reasons for this. 1. R’s are genuinely POed with the Republicans in office, they strayed and have not governed as they campaigned (conservative priciples and spending like drunken D’s). 2. Bush (not a conservative) has been a disaster for very different reasons than those given by Koolaide drinkers on the left. With this said, it is apparant that the D’s will win in 2008. Electing a person that has as much contempt for people as Hillary does, is very dangerous. SOOOO – take her out now – hence the crossover voting. Besdies – not even the D’s want to relive the ‘good ole days’ with Bill. America has seen enough of that disgrace. “Move On”.
I think there is more to it than that. Many Republicans think the Republican primary is all over but the crying, so they might as well have input into the Democratic nomination.
BOTTOM LINE REPUBLICANS ARE SCARED THEY KNOW THEY COULD NEVER DEFEAT A CLINTON
The latest polls actually indicate that McCain has a stronger lead over Obama than over Clinton. Still, I believe it is in the best interest of Republicans and of the nation to make sure the Democratic in-fighting continues as long as possible. It is the best way for the nation to come to better understand their dangerous policies, making sure they are aired by Democrats themselves.
This is why I am urging all Texas Republicans to VOTE HILLARY in the Tuesday primary and caucuses.
Let’s keep Democrats on the defensive while our candidate John McCain strengthens!
re: I know a few Republicans that are voting for Senator Obama. It is because of the convincing of praposals that Sen. Obama made. canadidate McCains is really ” I’m a P.O.W.” which to me is very credintionaly admired, but I’m sure he got his medal already.
The smart ones know that Sen. Obama, despite his last name or his pigmintation, is the best runnig. Really check this guy out! You should be amazed on how an individual like Sen. Obama really has passionate and effetive views.
We know,” All Presidents lie to win your vote”. Thus, and we felt this way before, change is needed and I feel deeply certain that Sen. Barak Obama lead us to that change. Goodspeed Mr. Obama.
Marion from Ohio.
3 reasons for a Republican to vote for Obama:
1. Obama is often rated as the most liberal US Senator. Better for a conservative to run against the far left than against the middle left (Clinton).
2. Identity voters – voters who vote for the candidate who seems most like them. Obama has a smaller identity voter base (he gets 80+ % of black votes) than Clinton (she gets 60+% of the female vote). Also, Clinton is more likely to hold on to Hispanic voters in the general election. Much harder to beat Clinton since she has an identity base of 60% of one-half (women) all voters while Obama has an identity base of 80% of one-sixth (blacks) all voters.
3. Skeletons. All of Clinton’s skeletons have already been found and run around the track several times. Trotting her skeletons out again will seem like old political tricks. However, Obama’s skeletons are fresh and will be much more newsworthy.
With the Republican nominee already determined, many Republicans have and will crossover to vote in the Democrat primaries. The evangelicals will stick with Huckabee while the more secular will crossover. Hence, Huckabee and Obama will out-perform the polls by about 5%. Rush Limbaugh may have thrown a monkey wrench into this theory but I think most Republicans will vote in this pattern with or without advice from Rush.
A little late to get into this discussion about the Republican votes for Obama. I and my much better half worked the 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. shift in the VA primary for our pittance of 140 bucks (I think it was) and I’ll state categorically that not only was the black turnout incredible, a marvel not seen in any previous voting I worked, but the Republicans that I and my wife KNEW were die hard righties WERE voting Democrat. Of course I had to stand outside the voting booth and couldn’t see whether these Republicans chose Obama or Hillary, but rest assured in the general elections they’ll vote McCain.
This is, of course, just anecdotal, but when we personally saw so many crossover voters in just one precinct, one can only wonder how many in other precincts? And whether they believe Hillary or Barack would be easier to beat. My guess is that when the crunch is on, on election day, that Hillary, if nominated, would wipe out old John by deluging him with her command of economics and other subjects, and doing it very convincingly, without relying on nebulous terminology. And I believe the crossovers know this and vote for Obama, not Hillary.
Just an opinion, folks.
i won’t vote for him, but he is the lesser of evils.
not as socialist as crazy hillary, not as hawkish as lefty mccain.
since ron paul’s not running, what’s a conservative to do?