The GOP’s turnout problem

[ProSense]

The GOP’s turnout problem

By Steve Benen

Last week, underwhelming Republican turnout in the Iowa caucuses fell short of expectations and hinted at a listless, uninspired party. Yesterday in New Hampshire, it happened again.

Going into the first GOP primary, there was ample talk about the expected record turnouts. But as the dust settled, we learned otherwise.

Turnout in the early Republican nominating contests could be a warning sign for Romney: the participation rate in Iowa barely exceeded the state’s 2008 mark, when many GOP voters were disaffected and depressed. New Hampshire officials projected record turnout in Tuesday’s primary, but exit polls showed about two-fifths of the voters were non-Republicans who crossed over to participate.

Remember, Republican turnout was supposed to soar in these early contests. GOP voters are reportedly eager, if not foaming-at-the-mouth desperate, to fight a crusade against President Obama, and they had plenty of high-profile candidates trying to stoke their enthusiasm. For that matter, Romney actually lives part of the year in New Hampshire. These voters had a chance to vote for their neighbor.

This, coupled with the boost from the so-called Tea Party “movement,” suggested energized Republicans would turn out in numbers that far exceeded the totals we saw in 2008, when GOP voters were depressed and all the excitement was on the other side of the aisle.

http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/political-animal/2012_01/the_gops_turnout_problem034682.php

[annabanana]

1. I suspect that they got the same percentage of people who

consider themselves republicans as they did last time

heh.. Maybe ALL the repubs turned out. .

[LonePirate]

2. The turnout is dire if you exclude the Paul voters and their intense love of his craziness.

[ProSense]

3. Worse

from the OP, "two-fifths of the voters were non-Republicans."

...I think some voters were trying to influence the GOP nomination.

[Gman]

5. Operation Chaos!

[kentuck]

4. Turnout will be the key to the next election...

in my opinion.

[zbdent]

6. I'd like the Republican November turnout to reflect

the number of people who still admit that they voted for Bush43 ...

[WI_DEM]

7. if you take out the first time voters/independents who voted for Ron Paul

you have a greatly decreased GOP turnout for the primary.

[TlalocW]

8. It's the Mitt effect

He's pretty much being treated like he's already got the nomination, and that hurts in two ways: He's not the most charismatic, exciting person out there, and the rednecks are looking at 2012 as being, "A contest between a Mormon and a Musim," which will hopefully keep them at home watching NASCAR.

TlalocW