Obama Camp Giddy Over Early Voting Extension In Florida

[jefferson_dem]

Obama Camp Giddy Over Early Voting Extension In Florida
October 28, 2008 05:24 PM

The Obama campaign is, not surprisingly, ecstatic with the decision by Florida's Republican Gov. Charlie Crist to extend early voting hours in his state -- a decision that most every political observer predicts will help the Democratic nominee in this mega-swing state.

"We applaud Gov. Crist for responding to the overwhelming enthusiasm shown by Florida voters during this election season. To this point, an estimated 2 million Floridians have already cast a ballot over the last eight days," reads a statement from Florida Obama-Biden State Director Steven Schale. "It is critical that everyone who is eligible and eager to vote be able to participate and have their voice heard. And now with the extended hours, thousands more will have that opportunity."

Democrats were pining for Crist to make the move for days, reasoning that the limited amount of time for Floridians to cast early ballots would effectively limit the vote totals that were trending Obama's way. Indeed, the peculiarity of Crist's decision is why he -- a McCain ally -- made it in the first place. A Republican strategist in the state told Politico that, "He just blew Florida for John McCain."

The extension will mean that votes will be cast 12 hours a day, not eight. So far, George Mason University has calculated that more than 2 million Floridians have cast early ballots. Of that total, 44.7 percent have been for Democrats and 40 percent for Republicans. If Obama were to keep these margins through November 4th, it could create a distance between him and McCain that the Republican ticket can't overcome.

Observers in the Sunshine State said they weren't necessarily surprised by the Governor's decision even if it seemed likely to hurt his good-friend.

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http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/10/28/obama-camp-giddy-over-ear_n_138656.html

[DB1]

1. Just posted this as well, but you did better job. K and R!

[jefferson_dem]

2. Sorry, DB1.

Didn't mean to dupe you, bro! :hi:

[DB1]

4. No problem, this is great news and could deliver Fl.

[catgirl]

3. I'm giddy too- great news!

[EFerrari]

5. They need to be careful. Local officials are fighting it.

Good luck, guys!

[blueclown]

6. Everybody who enjoys democracy should be giddy over this.

Republicans, Democrats, independents, everybody.

[justiceischeap]

7. I know this is a view shared by everyone here but I hate that GOPers want to disenfranchise voters

And are public about and more people don't get upset about this or people on the suppression side are more vocal about fighting it.

When some election board woman today stated she wanted an injunction to stop this because her "workers were already working 70 hours a week" you've got to wonder what the hell she's doing working on the board of elections. It's a right to friggin' vote not just a right for people that have an "R" on their registration but for people who have "D's" and "I's" as well.

Where are our big name Dems shouting to high heaven that voter's are being disenfranchised by these tactics? Why isn't someone like Howard Dean stepping up and saying "So you want to keep American's from participating in their constitutional right to vote because you're understaffed?"

[renate]

8. I've seen some criticism of Crist over the past few months, but he did the right thing

:toast:

It's so great that he stepped up and did the right thing even if it makes him unpopular with his own party. Some things, like democracy, take precedence over party, and I'm really happy that he realizes it. :patriot:

[FatDave]

11. It's crazy though.

When was the last time you saw a republican do the right thing?

[FloridaJudy]

9. This was badly needed

I've been handing out Dem literature outside my early voting location, and the crush has been unbelievable: every parking space filled, with cars circling like vultures, and lines going out the doors and around the sides of the library - in the middle of a weekday. I anticipate the Mother of All Traffic Jams on November 4.

I'm not used to thanking Republicans, but I'd like to give Crist a round of applause for this. Every once in a while he does something surprisingly decent.

[central scrutinizer]

10. when will the death threats from the freepers start?

How dare he make a non-partisan decision?

[barack the house]

12. As much as we have issues with the GOP we must congratulate any of them when they do the right thing

Well done Crist, all we ever ask for is fairness and decency, it benefits us all in the end.

[ItsTheMediaStupid]

13. One quote says a lot about how the repugs think & operate

A Republican strategist in the state told Politico that, "He just blew Florida for John McCain."

In other words, we don't have enough support to win if everybody gets to vote.