Two Republican Votes in the Dem Primary

[Prism]

Just thought people might be interested in the thinking behind these things. I have acquaintances in Pennsylvania. Two of them Republicans, and both of them voted in the Democratic primary today. Their reasoning as explained to me is as follows:

Acquaintance One voted for Obama: He despises Senator Clinton, and his rationale was to "defeat her now" rather than give her any chance whatsoever to win in November.

Acquaintance Two voted for Clinton: He believes the longer the primary continues, the more damage will be done, the better the GOP's chances in November. He told me his vote was "for as much chaos for as long as possible." He thinks Obama will carry the nomination, and he's just throwing electoral bombs for the fun of it.

I know there will be a lot of debate about the number of Republicans voting in the primary, who they're voting for, what their motives are, etc. I figured these two stories about two different votes for two different candidates for two different reasons would give people an idea of what's going on out there.

[galaxy21]

1. Did you tell acquaintance two he is actually commiting a crime?

[Prism]

10. Howso?

Both of them registered as Democrats for the purposes of voting in this primary. Is there a law broken?

Genuinely curious, as I'm ignorant of PA's primary system.

[galaxy21]

13. Yes, it's voter fraud, if you don't really mean your vote and it's only meant to sabotage

there was talk of prosecuting rush limbuahgh for it.

Of course, it's nearly impossible to prove (did you really want to vote democrat?)But one idiot in texas wrote on the form 'for one day only' so he's screwed.

[Prism]

16. I understand the point, but don't really see the crime.

#1 really means for Senator Clinton to lose in the primary. He wants Obama to be the nominee, because he really detests her. There have been times where I've cast a vote that was more about defeating a candidate than supporting his or her opponent. People do it all the time.

#2 is probably a bit murkier.

I'm not excusing what they did. I strongly disapprove of using votes like that. It's an abuse of our sacred right, IMO.

But it'd be impossible to prosecute people for using their votes in ways that people have done since the beginning of our democracy.

[galaxy21]

18. the first isn't a crime but the second one is

[tritsofme]

22. What law is being broken?

Many attribute John McCain 2000 NH triumph to Democrats crossing over and trying to dump Bush.

Was that also illegal?

[galaxy21]

19. the first isn't a crime but the second one is

[tritsofme]

17. I just really don't think it is illegal to change your registration

to vote for one specific candidate, regardless of your intentions.

[tritsofme]

12. As long as they legally changed their party affiliation, I don't see a crime.

An unethical act perhaps, but how is this a crime?

[goldcanyonaz]

2. And, both will fall in line this November and vote Repug.

[unpossibles]

3. ya know, I find it sad that people on either side (but usually the Republicans of course)

muddy the waters of democracy.

I can't stand the idea of the GOP winning another election, but I'd never try to cheat the system either.

[babylonsister]

4. And they both went to the trouble of changing their party affiliation?

I wonder how many people care enough to do that.

[Prism]

7. They did

I wasn't sure how Pennsylvania's primary process works in regards to registration, so I asked. Sure enough, they both registered as Democrats before the primary.

[Aloha Spirit]

5. I'm cool with this cuz a bunch of Republicans will forget to change their registration back in time.

[Maddy McCall]

9. back in time for what?

It doesn't matter what your registration is in November, in the GE. Everyone votes the same ballot.

[Aloha Spirit]

30. Yr right, thanks for pointing out! I get stoopid when I skip meals...

[Adelante]

6. My Republican friend in PA voted for Obama

Because he wants him to be president. He told me six months ago this was his intention. I thought he wouldn't in the end, because he has never voted Democratic in his life. But he emailed me a little while ago and the deed was done.

[Prism]

14. There are some genuine cross-overs

I know a few conservatives/Republicans (not always the same thing these days) who actually like Obama. I also know a few who are basically in the Anyone But McCain brigade.

How long that lasts once we head into general, who knows.

One acquaintance said Democratic voters are out in force today, so that's encouraging.

[SoCalDem]

8. and in FREEPERville, some are reconting their Rush-dem experiences

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2005178/posts

sample:

To: Vigilanteman

I’m a Republican and my wife is an Independent...She reregistered as a Democrat just to vote against the Incubus From Hell....We live in Gettysurg...

When I was just about to enter the polling precinct door a grouchy old bag jumped in front of me and opened the door first, she let the door swing back on me but I caught it in time....I said to myself “I bet this old skank is a Democrat”! When she signed in I noticed that she was!!!
There wasn’t that many voters at 9:AM when I got there...

I’m proud of my wife changing her Party just so she could vote against Hellary though!!!!

14 posted on Tuesday, April 22, 2008 8:19:48 AM by Old Phone Man (ks)
< Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies>

[TexasLady]

24. What's really funny is that apparently a lot of them didn't get the Chaos Crap

Cause a lot of them voted for Obama..lol.
Morans. :eyes:

Way to go, Rushiepoo. Your minions aren't smart enough to cheat after all. :rofl:

[SoCalDem]

26. yup.. they may actually cancel each other out..

:)

[Shae]

27. I followed your link

Now I feel all nasty.

[SoCalDem]

28. but probably amused

they are fun to watch in action:)

[VolcanoJen]

11. Interesting that Acquaintance #2 used the word "chaos" to describe his voting strategy.

[Prism]

23. He thinks it's funny

He's the kind of person who doesn't really like Republicans, but he cannot abide Democrats. You know, the type that uses the word "liberal" as a slur. So watching a chaotic primary with the tantalizing possibility of a convention meltdown is pure entertainment for him.

It's about as cynical a thing as you're likely to see in this long, strange campaign.

[VolcanoJen]

31. My wingnut coworkers still "high-five" each other...

... over having participated in "Operation Chaos" during the Ohio Primary by voting for Hillary.

To this day, it pisses me off, but I try not to let it show.

[galaxy21]

15. A small part of me almost wants Hillary to get the nomination and then win the GE

Just to see the look on Rush's face and knowing he was the one who made it possible.

[Prism]

20. There's something to be said . . .

. . . for the head explosion that would ensue.

[PoliticalAmazon]

21. Other Republican switchers (women) on one of the news shows this morning....

...said they changed because of (either/or/and:

1) Bush's unethical administration.
2) The Iraq war.
3) To vote for a woman candidate who happens to be Hillary.

They were all "older" (>50) women. Some were for Obama, some for Hillary. The oldest ones (>65) were for Hillary.

They all agreed that the Iraq War was important in changing their votes/party to Democrat. The loss of life and the destructino of our economy were given as reasons for their concern over the Iraq War.

[Prism]

25. Definitely

I think the current administration has so royally hosed this country, that we're definitely seeing more Republicans and Independents genuinely and honestly crossing over to vote Democratic. They shouldn't be discounted.

But you know there's always a little bit of argument about Republican voting after any primary. This is the first time someone I know so directly and blatantly admitted to going over purely to effect a pro-Republican outcome. People are going to argue over which candidate got more Republican votes for which nefarious reason. So I thought I'd put out a Clinton vote and Obama vote with the rationates behind them. Just to say, "Both candidates are receiving Republican votes for less than pure reasons, and here's two anecdotes about why."

Certainly not all Republican votes are in bad faith. After the eight-year bashing our nation has received, it's not difficult to imagine even some Republicans have had enough of their party.

[TragedyandHope]

29. Thanks for the personal report

It sounds like they canceled each other out. I'm not sure how we can overhaul system to prevent this kind of disruption.