I was listening to a radio show this afternoon (Michael Smerconish) regarding Michigan primaries

[Proud Liberal Dem]

and he was discussing polls showing Santorum doing well in Michigan (which we already know) but he was discussing the internals of the poll that show that Santorum is benefiting from the open primary process and because he is drawing some support from Independents, which is surprising, but also from.......DEMOCRATS? Please somebody, tell me that this has to be because some Democrats are staging their own version of Limbaugh's 2008 "Operation Chaos".


Is Santorum a potentially stronger candidate than Romney or he just enjoying some good poll numbers because of Newt's collapse and it's his "turn to surge"? He would be too far out of the mainstream to win in a GE, wouldn't he?

I'm especially interested in hearing from any Michigan DUers about this.

[dennis4868]

1. anyone who even considers voting for Santorum...

is not really a Democrat to begin with....

[Proud Liberal Dem]

2. I would not think so either

I couldn't imagine a Democrat supporting Santorum unless they simply didn't know anything about him whatsoever.

[indykatie1955]

3. Dems Could Be Supporting Santorum in Primary to Cause Mischief

Remember that this is an open primary. What better way to stick it to Romney than to vote for an opponent. Regardless of the motives the Romney camp will attribute a loss to mischief making Dems. It is highly doubtful that these same Dems would also support Santorum in the general election.

[FedUp_Queer]

5. How could anyone SUPPORT Santorum?

I mean...it really smells bad and has a very sickening color.

(Yes, bad bad bad, but I couldn't help it.)

[sinkingfeeling]

4. If Rick-o is still running come May, I intend to vote for him in our

open primary just because he will truly look the idiot he is next to the President.

[JNelson6563]

6. Michigan DUer here

It's got to be mischief making because all the Dems I talk to are enthusiastic about Obama, pointing & laughing at the GOP clown-car and hoping to get more Dems down the ticket elected.

Julie

[MrSlayer]

7. There is no genuine support from Democrats for Frothy.

Anyone with sense realizes that a Santorum nomination means a landslide for Obama in November.

[salin]

8. I would guess it is more anti-Romney than Pro Santorum

I haven't lived in Michigan for a while. However, I don't think that in the GE folks would ignore his bigoted (against African Americans, against the working poor, against women on health issues, etc.) and in the majority give an "anti Obama" vote in order to give a "pro Santorum" vote.

That said - one state south - the far, frothy right might have activated enough Anti Obama sentiment over the fast four years to lead to a Santorum win just on the Anti Obama sentiment (in Indiana), but can't see that dynamic in Michigan. Then again in over a decade perhaps the dynamics in Michigan have changed dramatically.

[Proud Liberal Dem]

9. I can't imagine Santorum doing well in the GE either

There is no way that he can "cloak" his extremist views and present himself as "moderate" enough to attract anybody but the ultra-conservative "evangelical" voters. I'm just surprised that the radio program- citing a poll- mentioned that he was drawing some Democratic support and then not really discussing what that might be about.

[salin]

14. BaDing!

Completely agree.

[Denninmi]

10. Well, I'm going to vote in the R primary on Feb 28th.

We have to pick a party affiliation ahead of time, but when voting, either there are two separate ballots and you choose one, or there are just separate sections on the same ballot form.

I definitely intend to vote in order to try to maximize the chaos on the Rethug side. Just not sure which clown would be the best to vote for, Mittens or the latest flavor of the month nutcase Santorum.

Not sure which way would be best to maximize President Obama's chances in November. Not that I think he's going to need that much help -- it's probably going to be closer then the 2008, but not as close as 2004 or 2000. Now, will they somehow try to steal it away from him -- of course they will.

[Proud Liberal Dem]

11. that's my perception as well

It's going to be interesting to find out who we might actually end up with.

[vaberella]

16. I say Santorum....

His craziness is entertaining.

[tokenlib]

12. Now that Guv Snide-er has endorsed Willard...it is tempting..

For those of us who remember the satisfaction of crossing over to vote McCain after bloated Guv Engler promised the state to GWB... It is tempting to give Santorum a boost.. even at the risk of getting on the repuke lists that would soil my mailbox with their filthy mailings...

[ncteechur]

13. I think Markos on Daily Kos asked democrats to vote for santorum in open primaries. link inside

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2012/02/15/1065052/-Announcing-Operation-Hilarity-Let-s-keep-the-GOP-clown-show-going-?detail=hide

[vaberella]

15. If that is the case Michigan is one dumb ass state.

Although their Governor to me is a perfect example of their stupidity.

[davidpdx]

17. I think it's mischief much like Limbaugh's operation chaos

But to my knowledge there is no coordinated effort (unless I've missed it).

I have thought about changing my party affiliation to screw up my state's primary. It isn't until May 16th though. We'll have to see how it looks in mid April because I would have to make the change three weeks before the primary. It also depends who is leading. I really am still hoping Romney pulls it off because he's a dumbfuck and would cause more damage to his own party.