Is this a big story that people are missing...right in front of us?

[NRaleighLiberal]

Looking at the vote in Virginia (a somewhat red state....let's call it purple?) -

Dems total nearly one million votes. Rep total not quite half a million votes. Two to one ratio?

With 5 % reporting, similar ratio forming up in Maryland.

I've been vaguely aware of this in the other primaries - but are we seeing a significant trend that could carry through into the General Election? And I just don't see McLame firing up the GOP masses to come out to vote. I am liking what I am seeing...but is it "real" - likely to translate into the election? What do people think?

[KittyWampus]

1. Yes, people are tired of the crap. MOST people want to get along and move forward

[tekisui]

2. It is very significant. All across the country Dem voters have far outnumbered the pukes.

In Red States.

We, the People, aren't buying the shit the pukes are selling.

[goodhue]

3. Yes, the turnout on the democratic side has been record breaking in many states

In Minnesota we had over three times more democrats caucus than the previous record -- set in 1968.
Media doesn't do a good job with historical analysis of primary turnout, but it is through the roof.

[harun]

4. We've seen 2:1 across the country and I think it will carry over to the GE

[blogslut]

5. That's what I'm saying!

repubs staying home in droves.

[samdogmom]

9. Or...maybe they've changed parties!

Perhaps they're voting for a Democrat! Wow! Go figure!

To quote Wolfe Blitzer, the Democrats are "energized"! That's a good thing. Who cares where the "energy" is coming from! We're winning right now. I'm just waiting to see how this election gets stolen. As things stand right now, there will be no way to explain a republican win in November!!!

[grantcart]

6. Well we have been talking about it for a long time but Clinton

supporters keep saying that these are states that won't matter inthe GE. It is unbelievable. We should be running to take Arizona and Idaho. Even if we do not win the electoral college we pick up congressional seats and senators.

[virgdem]

12. That is the DLC mindset...

they put all of their eggs into small numbers of states, but want nothing to do with the 50 state strategy employed by Dean that won us the 2006 congressional elections. One of the main reasons why I voted for Obama today (I was a former Edwards supporter) was the DLC connection, and how damaging it has been to our party. We need every state that we can possibly get and all states must remain in play in the general election. I can't help but think that this is a rejection of the DLC by the left wing of the party.

[Thrill]

7. Did you see the leaders of the Repuke party out there with McCain?

They need to be in the old folks home. Now look at Webb, Kaine, and Warner. Thats why VA is turning

[C_U_L8R]

8. The media is in denial

they want a close race to drive viewership and ad dollars.

But yes, this is THE big story. It's gonna be a major thumping.

[IDemo]

10. If Obama & Hillary supporters are willing to show up in the GE if their person loses

I'd be interested to see a comparison of the ratio of Obama to McCain voters for each state so far.

[AtomicKitten]

11. Obama is setting the table to spank Grandpa Crazy's ass hard in the fall.

[John Q. Citizen]

15. Grandpa John is no Reagan, that's for sure. He's not even Bob Dole.

[AtomicKitten]

17. I can't wait til Obama comes at him on Iraq.

makes me all tingly thinking about it

[alcibiades_mystery]

13. THe GOP nominee is already virtually decided

That depresses turnout considerably.

Apples and oranges since Super Tuesday, in other words.

[OzarkDem]

14. I wouldn't get too excited about it

GOP'ers tend to be much more loyal to their party than Dems, even in hard times. A lot of the crossover voting is just to screw with the Dem primary. GOP'ers have done that for ages.

[Omega3]

18. stop making sense!!! why can't others see this?

he's winning states like Kansas which will never go for the Dems in the GE, I don't care what anyone says they will not vote for a Dem in the GE.

[Indenturedebtor]

30. Ok sure crossover voting

But really I don't think that happens in these kind of numbers. People don't just dislike Hillary they love Obama. And you hate it but it's true. You should allow yourselves a little happiness about it.

[Kingofalldems]

16. If there is a high turnout in the GE we win

Guaranteed.

[TheWraith]

19. Yes, it can translate. Virginia is WINNABLE.

Of course, don't tell that to a Clinton supporter. They'll tell you we're not supposed to try and win over others, and not supposed to try and win supposed red states.

[meow mix]

20. this is the true power of obama. people.

he knows it too.

[PretzelWarrior]

21. Rachel Maddow brought this up. ADDITIONALLY....

what is the deal with the total votes in all states thus far? I'd like to know?

[Catherine Vincent]

22. I sure they have the voting machine situation straightened out by November.

It appears we will have a very huge turn out.

[QC]

23. Republicans are raiding the Democratic primary.

It's a long tradition in open primary states. If your party's nominee is a done deal, you raid the other party's primary and choose their nominee for them. It's why some states have closed primaries.

Amazing how many people here have never heard of this. Maybe it's their first campaign.

[Benhurst]

24. Has it been a long tradition in Florida, as well? I had experience with it

in Georgia and Virginia.

[QC]

25. I haven't been here long, but we used to do it in Alabama,

back when there was an open primary.

In fact, in 1986 crossover voting led to a major stink that got the state its first GOP governor in more than a century:

The 1986 Democratic primary for the gubernatorial race saw then-Alabama attorney general Charles Graddick in a runoff with Baxley. Graddick won by a few thousand votes, but the state Supreme Court ruled he had violated primary regulations by encouraging Republicans to “cross over” and vote as Democrats. The court told the Democratic Party to hold another election or pick Baxley. The party picked Baxley.

Alabamians, used to a one-party state where anybody and everybody could vote in a primary, were outraged and took out their frustrations by voting against Baxley and for H. Guy Hunt, the GOP nominee. Alabama got its first Republican governor since Reconstruction. Hunt's election surprised many Alabamians since no living person had seen a Republican win the election for Alabama governor. The press paid little attention to the Republican gubernatorial primaries, fully expecting that the nominee would be the next loser in the general election. There have been many recent articles wondering what the state missed out on when they did not vote for Baxley.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bill_Baxley

This is one of the oldest political dirty tricks in the book--I can't believe no one here has ever heard of it.

[ctaylors6]

27. it's SOOOO going to happen in TX

[QC]

29. It happens whenever the primary is open.

And, of course, it's also easy to do in caucus states, too, since people can participate in whichever caucus they like, or both, if they have time. We need to move to closed primaries.

[Rosa Luxemburg]

26. it's a long time until November

I hope the trend remains

[goodgd_yall]

28. I'm wondering if the turnout will continue like this.

Once the Democratic nominee is chosen, all the anti-Democrat voters may be motivated to turn out in November.

But maybe Republican turnout will remain flat?