Turnout, Turnout, Turnout - Record For Connecticut In A Primary

[kpete]

Turnout, Turnout, Turnout

by Matt Stoller, Wed Aug 09, 2006 at 12:39:37 PM EST

Ok, I think it's fair to say that progressive messaging drives turnout. 283,000 Democrats turned out for this race, and there are now 30,000 or so new Democrats. That's 43% turnout, which is a record for Connecticut in a primary. And this primary was held in August, when 'everyone in Connecticut is away'. I don't think so.

Now, there's no telling what the turnout will be in the fall, but for the first time there's a good reason to sense that people will go to the polls voting with a real choice. Already, candidates across the country are branding themselves as Ned Lamont Democrats, or being branded as such. So whether you like it or not, the Democratic Party is finally unified, and it's unified around the progressives wing of the party. The Democratic Party has rejected Bush and his enablers, and held itself accountable for its own errors. This should give a lot of people confidence that the Democratic Party is willing to hold Bush and the Republican leadership accountable for their criminal activities.

http://www.mydd.com/story/2006/8/9/123937/5061

[cyberpj]

1. Thanks for this. Last night I swear I heard news say it was low turnout.

I couldn't believe it at the time and was looking for info today.

[Snivi Yllom]

4. there could be at the low end approx. 750,000 additional votes to be had

that's a lot of votes.

the facts:

1,575,000 votes cast in the general election of 2004

Assume at least a million votes are to be had, likely higher. That leaves 750,000+ votes up for grabs.

yesterday's results
146,587 Lamont
136,468 Lieberman
33,000 aprox for third parties

Compare to 2000
Joseph Lieberman Democratic 828,902 63.21%
Phil Giordano Republican 448,077 34.17%

compare to Dodd in 2004
Christopher Dodd Democratic 945,347 66.35%
Jack Orchulli Republican 457,749 32.13%

compare to 2002 Gov race
John Rowland M. Jodi Rell Republican 573,958 56.11%
Bill Curry George Jespen Democratic 448,984 43.89%

[skipos]

2. Bu... bu... but I thought Joe would only lose because the "fringe"

would come out and turnout would be so low?

[Breeze54]

8. Last night I heard that it was a high turnout

for a primary, from the Secretary of State in CT.
She seemed quite impressed with the turnout of voters and
said that it even surpassed the municipal election numbers!

She was interviewed here: http://wtic.com/index.php?



;)

[bigwillq]

3. Thank you CT voters!

:bounce:

[Skidmore]

5. 30,000 real new Dems or

Rs who were trying to sway a Dem primary? I hope it's the former with all my heart. Sorry, I'm just so distrustful of Rs and their dishonesty.

[Breeze54]

9. I think in CT.

you can switch party affiliation before an election,
and then switch back! I know we can do that here in MA!

[Little Star]

10. half and half as was told by

Fox's Carl Cameron last night on Greta VanSestren's show. He tried to hedge but she wouldn't let it go. I'd say in this instance that is a pretty good source.

[porphyrian]

6. I've been saying this for nearly a decade.

We need to focus on getting those who normally don't vote to do so, not some elusive "moderate" fence-sitters who never manifest at the polls, losing us the last three major elections we've pursued them. Non-voters are largely Democrats, whether they know it or not. They believe in the same things we do. Many of them simply feel that it doesn't really matter whether they vote or not. This elections shows that it does matter. This should be our focus.

[BuyingThyme]

7. Thank you.