It’s one of the reasons Washington State no longer has an open primary. The two parties (Ds and Rs) didn’t like it because a voter doesn’t have to be affiliated with a party to vote for a nominee. The parties said that it would be too tempting to cross lines and vote for the candidate you did not want your candidate to face in November.
That’s kinda sort what’s happening in Michigan. With a twist.
Pennsylvania conservative Rick Santorum authorized a last minute robo call campaign in Michigan. It targets Democrats, according to CNN:
On the call, an automated telephone message encourages Democratic voters to cross over and cast ballots for Santorum to send a “loud message” to Romney. The primary is open to all voters.
Back in January, Santorum said, “I believe that states should only allow Republicans to vote in Republican primaries.”
But when they don’t … all bets are off. AKA as flip-flopping.
Rush Limbaugh thinks it was a great idea.
So does Michael Moore, who told MSNBC that “a lot of my Democratic friends will vote for Santorum in something they are calling Operation Hilarity.” If Ds turn out in force, they could turn the tide.
Much has been made of Democratic efforts to turn out the vote for Santorum and we see evidence that’s actually happening. Romney leads with actual Republican voters, 43-38. But Santorum’s up 47-10 with Democratic voters, and even though they’re only 8% of the likely electorate that’s enough to put him over the top. The big question now is whether those folks will actually bother to show up and vote tomorrow.
Many political analysts (I’m in this camp) think that Romney has the best chance of defeating President Obama in November.
If Michigan is Romney’s Waterloo because Dems turn out for Santorum, then the November contest becomes a lot less interesting. Unless Rs come to their senses before the summer.
Known for gnawing at complex questions like a terrier with a bone. Digital evangelist, writer, teacher. Transplanted Southerner; teach newbies to ride motorcycles. @kegill (Twitter and Mastodon.social); wiredpen.com