Heavy turnout in Wisconsin

[Yurem2008]

My brother who lives in Milwaukee just voted and reported a heavy turnout...many young people who are registering on the spot (and presumably voting for Barack Obama). Also many self-described Republicans that are crossing over to vote in the Democratic primary. Indeed a heavy turnout in spite of the cold weather. Outside the polling places he reports Hillary Clinton supporters screaming "Hillary" and shoving the Hillary signs into the voters' faces. Also a lot of Obama's "Yes, We Can" signs (Hillaryites trading barbs with the Obamaites...not a very good scene for the NY Senator's supporters). Also many union members voting, most with Obama buttons. So it will be a long night because several polls show a dead heat...but I think that Obama seems to have the edge with the new voters, the GOP cross-overs, young/college voters, and the union vote leaning to the Illinois Senator...

[peacebird]

1. thanks for the update! and welcome to DU!

:hi:

[Yurem2008]

4. Thanks

joined this past week. Always a reader but not a joiner until this election cycle...

[EmilyAnne]

14. I finally joined last week, too. That's too bad about the bickering at the polls. I was hoping

that sort of thing was contained on the web. Sigh.

[MadBadger]

2. There will be alot more GOPers voting for Obama because they like him than voting to screw things up

[juajen]

70. You have a crystal ball?

I'm sorry that Wisconsin has an open primary. I do not like Hillary's chances when the pugs can muddy the water. We need to stop open primaries.

[CoffeeCat]

90. Republicans voting is not a bad thing...

You position this as "pugs" "muddying the waters".

I'm in Iowa, and we had many Republicans changing their registration to Democrat--because they
all ready support Obama for President.

Obama has caused many Republicans to switch parties. This is a good thing. It's not conspiracy
or someone trying to "muddy the waters". It's good for our party.

I met many disenfranchised Republicans who were for Obama--at Obama events. They are disgusted by
Bush and they find Obama appealing.

Make no mistake, Republicans switching to Democrat is a coup for our party.

[democrattotheend]

3. Union voters with Obama buttons?

That's great news! Can your brother take pictures?

[Yurem2008]

6. Looks like Union endorsement helps Obama

in WI. I'll ask my brother Jaime to take pictures..

[thoughtcrime1984]

103. My wife and I are proud union workers with Obama buttons on

The majority of our co-workers that we have talked to (2 different employers) are PrObama!

[Adelante]

5. Thanks

I hope he does well in Wisconsin. I think he will most likely win there and later in Texas. I'm concerned about Ohio and Pennsylvania at this point, but we know what happens when he has time to campaign someplace. He wins!

[billyoc]

7. ...supporters screaming "Hillary"...

Wow, Mark Penn himself was there? :rofl:

[MethuenProgressive]

8. "Republicans that are crossing over to vote in the Democratic primary"

That's always a good sign for Obama.

[adabfree]

10. Hillary should be familar with it...BY ANY MEANS NECESSARY...

LOL..you're a bitter pill, aren't you?

[rodeodance]

26. ah--so you admit in public that OBAMA WILL DO ANYTHING TO WIN. .

[adabfree]

27. I was being facetious...

That's hillbilly's domain and you know it..

[rodeodance]

56. I am not being facetious. Obama WILL do anything to win.

[adabfree]

64. That's Hillbilly's domain and you know it...

[JackORoses]

110. no, we only admit that Obama will win.

Hillary will not.

No matter how big a fit she throws.

[Nedsdag]

109. Methuen is bitter because his/her candidate is flawed.

That's how Hillbots react when things don't go their way.

[jasmine621]

12. And a bad sign for the country and Dems.

They will not be there come the GE.

[MethuenProgressive]

15. Republicans voting in our Primaries always vote for Obama to be our nominee.

I'd rather Democrats picked our candiadte.

[Cessna Invesco Palin]

34. Well, this is just the nature of open primaries.

The Repubs already have their candidate, and there's nothing to stop them from crossing over.

[samdogmom]

43. I truly don't understand this logic.

Isn't it better for the Democrats to have a candidate who offers broad appeal rather than one who appeals only to hard-core Democrats? How can we win a general election with this kind of candidate?

An open primary is more similar to the general election than a closed primary. In my opinion, winning in an open primary state is a bigger victory than winning in a closed primary state.

[adabfree]

49. You're a smart cookie..sprinkle some of that on the dopes here

in fact pore it on the poor souls

[juajen]

75. That would be "pour" it on the poor souls

Who's the dope? Yeah, we just loved it when the pugs kicked out Cynthia McKinney in Georgia's open primary, didn't we?

[pampango]

92. During the California primary, I learned that we have an open primary, while the Republicans

have a closed primary. Studies have shown that people who vote in a particular party's primary are more likely to vote for that party in the GE. The news was that the California Republican party was planning to convert to an open primary in the next election cycle for this reason. They had chosen party purity in a closed primary. They may change their mind in order to make it more likely to win a GE (though Republicans winning in California seems like a stretch to me. :) )

[TexasObserver]

77. Party Purity is an old theme by those who'd rather lose in November

Like the Republican party, we have share our people who think our party is a religion, and anyone who doesn't sit on the same pew as them is a heretic. It's defeatist thinking, and a major reason we have run so many lackluster candidates for president the past 24 years. By the time our candidates get through bowing and scraping to satisfy the BELLIGERENTS, they can't win the general.

It's just jealousy because Obama draws so many supporters and Hillary can't draw a crowd as big as the one standing outside Obama's event because they couldn't get in.

[AnarchoFreeThinker]

79. Another excuse? Crikey, the scroll is getting full.

[MethuenProgressive]

83. get a grip

[AnarchoFreeThinker]

98. That even makes me miss the pooping bull.

[IronLionZion]

101. people are voting for Obama instead of your candidate

how does that make you feel?

Pretty bitter I bet.

Plus you act like these independent and republican voters are somehow the enemy or are different from us. This isn't Bush or Cheney or Rove here. These are regular people who live and work with you. I would welcome any evidence of an organized effort by the RNC to sabotage the Dem primary. Find it. Because these people are just regular folks working on their own and not at the behest of anyone. And they are going out in the cold to vote for Barack Obama. I was tired and hungry and had many things to do...but I still faced the Minnesota cold and the huge crowds to caucus for Obama. People did this long before McCain was the frontrunner....but they didn't do it to help McCain. John McCain doesn't draw huge crowds. A lot of them don't even support McCain.

[adabfree]

20. Dems are showing up in record numbers...no way old, dried up, almost dead McCain wins...if...

Obama is the nominee...repubs are helping him by crossing over all the way around..

Do you think those are repubs crossing over and showing up in the thousands to hear Barack speak?

[rodeodance]

31. good gawd --"Do you think those are repubs crossing over"--will vote for O. in NOV?

[adabfree]

36. Nope...you missed the point...but I'm willing to bet...Obama will beat dead on my feet, dried up

like a prune McCain..something Hillbilly doesn't have a chance of doing...

You guys just need to accept it...people are sick of hillbilly...that's why she's losing..

[rodeodance]

55. oh my--still in your bubble.

[adabfree]

63. Ha..

Come back tonight when the primary is over...

let's dance when we have something to dance over...eh?"

[juajen]

76. Dems are showing up in record numbers, TO VOTE FOR BOTH OF THEM!

A lot of us are not glitterbamas and will never be. I cannot and will not vote for him. Before you say it, I do not consider him a democrat, so I will be refusing to vote republican on either side. He doesn't need older voters anyway, right?

[Hepburn]

22. And you know this because.....????

:eyes:

[adabfree]

32. OMG...Bush is here

[Hepburn]

44. Dumb reply....

...please try again, but first: Collect all of your three brain cells BEFORE putting your fingers to the keyboard.

[adabfree]

47. You're bitter and upset, so I know why you lash out..but I forgive you..

You will feel better when this is all over and Obama is the nominee..

Don't forget to vote....

Peace and hairgrease..lol

[Hepburn]

50. LOL....I have been in politics since 1960 when I worked for JFK...

...nothing much upsets me anymore except total stupidity...and nominating Hillary Clinton would be total stupidity. Bitter? No. Afraid of a McCain presidency if Hillary is nominated? You betcha. I am NOT for Obama...I am totally against Hillary. There is a HUGE difference.

[adabfree]

62. Well, Bless your heart..you're sane after all

[beezlebum]

46. i've been married to "the enemy" for almost 9 years.

i'm sure at least some of them will. they're tired of bush and see mccrazy as Bush redux.

my husband is one of them. he doesn't even follow politics as closely as i, voted for bush in 2000, laughed at me for voting gore that first year of our marriage, didn't vote in 2004, and is voting for obama this year b/c he doesn't want to see the disaster continue.

he is not some venomous repuke, but he is someone who, working up to 60 hours per week, hasn't ever had time to research and scour the internet for information. he used to get his info from the msm (although he has always taken my biased opinion into account), which he thought a reliable source until recently.

he used to have moderately conservative ideals, and basically voted the way his parents did. but now, bush has motivated him to care far more than he ever has.

he likes obama because, among many other reasons, he sees him as a fresh start, and now that he's paying attention, has actually likened not only mccain to bush, but hillary clinton as well. he says that she may not be conservative, but her tactics resemble bush's.

i know this is my personal example, but at least i provided one.

[Yael]

53. This has been my experience as well

Thanks for the post!

[Hepburn]

54. Same thing I am seeing with a lot of Indie and Pubbie people I know.

They went Bush in 2000 and even in 2004...but do not like McCain one bit. However, they really really dislike, to the point of hate, Hillary Clinton. However, Obama is appealing to them and I do believe that some die hard Pubbies would vote for him in November. One of the things mentioned is McCain's statement about the next 100 years in Iraq. That seems to be a MAJOR turn off...at least in my area of Southern Calif.

:hi:

[beezlebum]

69. and i think people like them are who we refer to when we say

obama is a crossover candidate. people who are vicious republicans, the sean hannities out there that is, wouldn't cross over, at least not in large enough numbers to impact the ge. i really think the people who have spent the last 8 years distracted by work and bills and snippets of propaganda- probably the larger percentage of crossovers and independents- have grown tired of it. :hi:

[BumRushDaShow]

86. I would agree with this

assessment. The RW nut cases will sit it out (they have already said as much) and will retreat to their think tanks and laboratories to try to create their new monster to be unleased in 2012. Meanwhile, a piece of their remaining masses will go for McCain and the rest may either sit it out or will crossover... or perhaps better.... will COME HOME to the party they deserted in 1980! IF they feel somewhat assured that their little microcosms will not change in the next administration - i.e., they can keep their guns, their tax burden shifts into something not called a "tax", their houses are safe from the Bin Ladens and the Bank of Americas, and they can be assured that they can still fly 'Ole Glory with pride.

[Laurab]

88. I'm not so sure about that.

Many repugs can't stand McCain. They also can't stand Hillary. There ARE some sensible repugs in the world, who realize what shrub has done to the country - Obama can get their vote - Hillary can get out their vote for the repugs. Many repuglicans feel about Hillary the EXACT way we feel about bush - although she did nothing to deserve it - it's still there. They MAY sit home if Obama's the nominee - they may even vote for him, but I guarantee you, the majority will vote for McCain if Hillary wins the primary.

[Laurab]

89. Dupe - delete

[monktonman]

95. They might not... will you? n/t

[rodeodance]

24. and Obama folks who think these same will vote for him on NOV are living in an bubble.

[GarbagemanLB]

28. Hillary folks who think she is more electable are living in a bubble. 50% of the country refuses to

vote for her.

[adabfree]

38. Amen

I'm part of that 50%...

[tyne]

39. 54% she's got up (rass)

[Windy]

41. I have many repub relatives who are going to vote for Obama in the general. At least I have evidence

What do you have?

[rodeodance]

68. oh I will conjure up relatives also -

[Occam Bandage]

60. Not all, but many will.

[Occam Bandage]

58. Indeed it is. We'll need more than a few Bush-voters to win in '08.

[adabfree]

9. I maybe wrong..but I think he's going to Smash her...in Wisconsin

[Yurem2008]

11. SEIU and Obama

[thoughtcrime1984]

104. UFCW and Obama as well!

:toast:

[mopinko]

25. polls schmolls.

i think he will, too.

[harun]

45. I think he will beat her by > 10% (n/t)

[adabfree]

48. That's good..but I prefer a stomping..a thorough ass whipping..Obliteration would be acceptable

in fact wished for

[harun]

71. Yah 80 or 90% for Obama would probably get her to drop out of the race

AND I WOULD CERTAINLY like to see that :-).

:spank: :spank: :spank:

[Eurobabe]

85. Sounds about right.

:hi:

[flor de jasmim]

13. The ironic things is...

that crossovers voting for Obama may think he's the weaker candidate, but if it contributes to the overall "movement", it may undo their planning.

[Yurem2008]

16. They hate Hillary

that is why the GOP's are crossing over. Their hatred for the Clintons is stronger than their common sense. They do not realize that an Obama Democratic nomination will doom McPain and whoever his running mate is, either Sanford or Crist...

[GarbagemanLB]

33. Well, I'm with them on that. After yesterday's swiftboating I am entirely done with both Clintons.

[adabfree]

40. Exactly!!! And it is not just repubs that abhor Hillary..

[ShortnFiery]

17. Thanks for the update. I second the motion to grant you "a warm welcome" to DU.

:hi:

[elocs]

18. It's very cold here in western Wisconsin this morning. -9 in La Crosse

La Crosse is a city of about 50,000 and the local tv news said this morning that there were polling places with 40 people in line, so that you should be prepared to wait. I will be voting this morning and so I will be able to tell how the turnout is compared to the past. There is an excitement here that I have not felt in a long time.

[ShortnFiery]

23. Yeah, I'm from South Dakota, but it's not MUCH farther south than Wisconsin.

I remember putting on layers and going Ice Skating with "The Girl Scouts" when it was -20. After living in climates such as Okinawa, San Diego and Panama, I couldn't even imagine what that experience would "feel like" now. And I don't want to know. :blush:

You are hardy people there in WI. :patriot:

BTW, I bet folks all have to "plug in" their engines in order to ensure the car starts in the morning?

My warm weather loving, New Orleans (born & raised husband through college) once asked me why there was "an electrical plug" sticking out from the grill of a car from MN? Too cute! ;)

[elocs]

96. I don't think many people here use tank heaters in their cars anymore.

I haven't used one in 30 years. You do have to be hardy to live here, though. The wind chills tonight will be -30 to -40 and I work at night and have to go outside occasionally. We can have temperature variations of 50 degrees from one day to the next in the winter. Plus, we have 100+ temperatures in the summer plus humidity.

I did have an experience back in the 70s when I went to Florida on Christmas break from college. A girl asked me what kind of tires I had on my car (a '68 Mustang) and I told her they were snow tires. She had seen snow on tv, but had never experienced it personally. This winter it is snowing every 2 or 3 days.

It is a testimony that so many people are determined to get out and vote here today with the very cold weather. It will be interesting to see what the turnout will be.

[City Lights]

19. Hillary supporters are aggressive to the point of being rude?

No way! That can't be! :sarcasm:

[Yurem2008]

21. I feel bad for the Hillaryites

really, they must feel the disarray in her campaign. They do hate the Obama Campaign to the point of being unhinged and rude...It is a shame that the Clinton legacy and love in the Dem Party is falling to pieces in front of our eyes. Reminds us of Bush 41 desperately calling Bill and Al "bozos" at the end of the 1992 Campaign.

[NanBo]

29. Here in Madison

no one was being rude to anyone--just sayin'. There was some good-natured comradery regarding the cold but there was no mention of support for any candidate and I don't think buttons etc are permitted, at least within 10 feet of the polling place. I'm sure everyone else was sizing each other up, like I was, trying to 'guess' how they were voting :) But it was all nice. Hopefully it will stay that way whomever gets the nomination.

Go Obama!

[CTyankee]

61. Greetings, Madison! We've got family there and I'm thinking about them.

I'm wondering how my SIL will vote this time. Her hubby is a staunch Republican and she's sort of drifted to Republicans over the past 20 years, altho she saw the need for change in 06. Her daughters are Dems.

[Divernan]

30. I have 3 family members in Madison voting Obama!

Lifelong Democrats, former Clinton supporters.

Hey, they're used to the cold!

[Yurem2008]

35. Thanks for the update

Anybody from Racine?

[caseycoon]

37. Welcome Yurem & thanks for the update!

I have to say this is the most exciting primary election I have ever heard of!
Such huge turnouts in every state! :woohoo:

[Yurem2008]

42. And wait until TX and OH vote

exciting, thrilling. It is good news for the Democratic Party and sends shock waves in the GOP that this election we will win by a landslide...

[beezlebum]

51. welcome to DU

i feel weird saying that since i haven't been here much longer than you post-count-wise, but anyway, welcome, and thanks for the update!

[polichick]

52. WELCOME, and thanks for the report...

Another exciting day ~ and a long one, since it'll be awhile before we get Hawaii's results!

[Occam Bandage]

57. Heavy turnout is a great sign for Obama, and a great sign for the Democratic party.

[Blue_State_Elitist]

59. OBAMA WILL WIN WITH 90 PERCENT!!!!!!

What a stupid biased story.

[GarbagemanLB]

66. I think I hear whining coming from Camp Desperation.

[Blue_State_Elitist]

73. Or someone calling out a bullshit story.

I can do it too. Check it out.


My uncle called me from his polling place Madison and said that there were 10000 Hillary supporters lined up and ready to vote. There were a few Obama supporters spitting at them and throwing glass bottles. He said that older voters are turning out in astonishing numbers while there isn't a person below the age of 45 for miles around. LOOKS GREAT FOR CLINTON!

[Yurem2008]

84. Any more Kool Aid?

It looks like a fine day for Hillary (sarcasm)

[Blue_State_Elitist]

87. I'm sorry. I guess that my sarcasm went over your head.

[GarbagemanLB]

67. I think I hear whining coming from Camp Desperation.

[JKaiser]

65. biased analysis

[TexasObserver]

72. Thanks!!

don't mind negative comments you might get

best to move on and not engage them

[zulchzulu]

74. A huge line in Madison where I voted!

I got there at 7:30 and it took 45 minutes to vote.

[democrattotheend]

106. Madison is supposed to be an Obama stronghold, right?

[zulchzulu]

111. Madison, Milwaukee, LaCrosse, Beloit...

He will do very well in those areas, where most of the population is as well as where his best demographics are.

[LiveLiberally]

78. Up Here in Eau Claire, WI ....

turn-out is higher than normal despite the bitter cold. But it is sunny, no ice or snow. The Chippewa Valley (Third congressional district, about 100k population in the greater Eau Claire area) is often cited as the key swing vote in elections. Look for it tonight as the district returns come in. Outside of the Milwaukee-Madison region, it is currently the largest blue stronghold in the state, but that shift to democratic has been fairly recent. Also, our democratic congressman, Ron Kind, announced this morning on Public Radio that his super delegate vote will go to whomever wins the majority in his district, so this area matters even more now.

The key will be getting out the college students at UW- Eau Claire (10,500 votes). Obama held a campus rally for 3500+ last Saturday; Huckabee talked to a crowd of 100 yesterday (!) Hillary was scheduled to give a rally yesterday at a local high school, but canceled on Saturday when she decided to cut her stay in WI short. Yesterday, she announced a last minute stop at a local barbecue joint and about 100 people gathered, only to be told after waiting an hour that she was canceling again. So the news cycle here on the three local networks has focused on Obama's visit (the students created and sold at the rally a tee-shirt with the slogan "Eau-Bama") and Clinton's cancellations. Not sure what bearing this will have on the vote.

[NanBo]

81. Eau-Bama

That's pretty clever. Thanks for the update. Stay warm :)

[Yurem2008]

82. Thanks Eau-Bama country

Tonight watch CNN because by 5 PM they will start talking about the exit polls. If CHANGE is a major theme then Obama wins. If they talk about "Experience" then it may be good news for the Clintons. However, many young people are voting and this has to be good news for Obama.

[democrattotheend]

94. Not necessarily

Obama has lost a few states where change is the most important issue, because he does not get those voters as overwhelmingly as Clinton gets the experience voters.

[TexasObserver]

80. The Bitter Tears Brigade has shown up to cry a river about it!

It's laughable watching the Hillary supporters piss and moan their way through these threads.

"These dang kids are cutting across my yard!!"

Don't you love the frumpy, grumpy, lumpy, dumpy detractors?!

[Colobo]

91. LOL! Gobama!

[TexasObserver]

93. Hillary's planning a feature length film with Bruce Willis: CRY HARD!

[Arugula Latte]

97. C'mon, Cheeseheads!

Come out for Obama! :bounce:

(Cheeseheads isn't a perjorative, is it? I say it in the most positive way possible. I loves me some fromage. :9 )

[NanBo]

102. It's perfectly acceptable!

In Beloit last night at the Obama rally they had signs, "Cheeseheads for Obama" :)

[davsand]

108. Being one of those "FIBs" I echo your love of cheese.

:hi:


Laura


If you don't know what FIB means I hope one of our resident Wisconsin DUers will explain...

[Khaotic]

99. Open Primary and Republicans

Has anyone here stopped to consider that MANY Americans who have voted Republican in the past aren't Republican after all?

They could be seeing the light and voting Democrat, which is the first step to becoming a Democrat.

This is bad how?

[Yurem2008]

100. Reagan Democrats

coming home again

[meow mix]

105. this is why we'll flip some red states..

its a good thing

[rodeodance]

107. ********Early exit polling*********its TIGHT

Forum Name General Discussion: Primaries
Topic subject With conservative talk radio in WI urging Republicans to
Topic URL http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x4660178#4661632
4661632, With conservative talk radio in WI urging Republicans to
Posted by Skwmom on Tue Feb-19-08 12:15 PM

vote for Clinton, I'm sure she'll do okay. I googled exit polls and came across this.

http://www.rightpundits.com/?p=1162

Wisconsin exit poll data:

12pm - Expect this to be a tight race between Obama and Clinton with the possibility of upset. Hillary Clinton may have closed the gap in the past two days. On the GOP side, remember that John McCain always under-performs in the early exit polls.

(February 19th, 2008.)

A poster posted the following:

Wisconsin conservative talk show hosts are encouraging conservative voters to vote for Hillary Clinton in today’s primary. If you don’t want Hillary to be the next president, then do not cross-over and vote for her in the primary. All polls indicate that the Dems are likely to take back to the White House this year - Wisconsin could be the push Obama needs to stop Clinton once and for all. CROSSOVER TO CLINTON AT YOUR OWN RISK!