Election 2008 Voter Turnout - Can We Beat the Record of 60.8%? 40% Have Not Cared

[Median Democrat]

Turnout in 2004 was 60.8%, which was the highest since 1968. In other words, for all the talk about Clinton voters and the undecided, the fact of the matter is that even in a high turnout year, about 40% of eligible voters simply do not vote. The Democrats have not won a majority of the popular vote for a presidential election since 1976. If Obama wins, his margin of victory will likely be less than 3 percent if history holds true.

Thus, any increase in turnout, particularly turnout targeted at folks who are likely to vote Democrat, can make a huge difference. This is why the ground game will be very important.

In other words, is it easier trying to chase elusive PUMAs, who are often GOP operatives, or is it a better use of time going forward to try to target the huge 40% of the electorate that simply does not care to vote. In other words, by staying home or at work, they say none of the above.

Perhaps we should pass out fliers to Walmart employees about their rights to demand leave to vote, since Walmart has been caught trying to influence its employees to vote for John McCain.