Why All Republicans Should Vote for Hillary Clinton in Tuesday's Democratic Primary

[TDaleBeavers]

Let me first make it clear that these words speak only for myself. I am a lifelong Republican, and as most of you know, supported Mike Huckabee in the Republican primary. Now that John McCain has sealed the nomination, I will support him in November. Although I do not agree with Senator McCain on several issues, I believe he is far and away a better choice for President than either Barack Obama or Hillary Clinton.

However, I do agree with Rush Limbaugh and call on fellow Republicans like myself to crossover to vote for Hillary Clinton on Tuesday in the Democratic primary. Why? First, no one unites the Republican base like the Clintons, and I believe a Clinton nomination would fire up millions of Republican voters to come out in droves.

Polling data seems to confirm this. The current Real Clear Politics average of polls has Barack Obama leading Senator McCain by 5 points, while polls show Senator McCain either tied or slightly ahead of Hillary Clinton.

Another major reason for this is the African American vote. It is clear that the nature of the Clinton's primary campaign has antagonized droves of African American voters -- particularly, Bill Clinton's dismissing of Barack Obama's victory in South Carolina by saying that "Jesse Jackson won" there too. Nuimerous exit polls have shown that a majority of African Americans, the core base of the Democratic vote, would be dissafisfied if Clinton is the nominee. That says to me that many may either stay home and an unusually large number might vote for McCain.

Finally, if Ted Kennedy, John Kerry and numerous others on the extreme left are endorsing Barack Obama, that says to me that Obama is even more liberal than Clinton, though he barely says it in his meaningless stump speeches. As difficult as this is to swallow, Hillary might be the (albeit very slightly) lesser of two evils.

This election is critical for many reasons, not least of which the current makeup of our U.S. Supreme Court. It is likely within the next four years, that up to four Justices could retire -- including the liberals John Paul Stevens and Ruth Bader Ginsberg, the moderate Anthony Kennedy, and the conservative Antonin Scalia. Could you imagine four ultra leftists being appointed to these seats? If that happens the values that have been the basis for our nation's greatness will be eliminated. Our state constitutional amendment outlawing gay marriage would be struck down, and I'm sure the partial birth abortion ban would be overturned. That's really only the beginning.

Mississippi has a total of 22 pledged delegates (I think there are 8 "super" delegates)...with 7 being from the heavily Democratic Second Congressional District and 5 being from each of the other three. I believe Obama will likely win five or six of the seven delegates in the Second Congressional District, and will win at least two in the First and Third Districts (both races have heated Republican Congressional primaries due to the retirements/promotions of Chip Pickering and Roger Wicker). However, there is no congressional primary in the 4th district, and thus all of us are free to crossover in the Democratic primary.

Thus, let's all have some fun on Tuesday...Let's carry Hillary Clinton to victory in Tuesday's primary...and then have fun beating her in November!

[amanda]

I'll just restate here what I did to your response in the Huckabee drops out thread. As long as McCain keeps holding hands with Bush - he doesn't stand a snowball's chance in he!! of winning. So I say - Bring It On! :)

[fuzzis]

...and I'm a little tired of the Fear Factor element. Do you seriously think we're dumb enough to fall for the idea that any President would be able to get an "ultra" left or right candidate for the SCOTUS through the nomination process? Really? After all the problems that Bush had with his nominees? Let alone four of them? You seriously think that the Republicans in Congress are going to allow that to happen? (or do you forget that we...and the candidates...know how slim the majorities are?)

Good grief. Ratchet down the rhetoric a little.

[aaron]

The Dems should really remember the John Kerry years. He should have won. He was just too liberal though, and Conservatives came out of the woodworks at the last second and put Bush back in. It'll be the same here if Hillary is the candidate. I tend to not care though, it looks as if all 3 have big plans to spend a lot of money we don't have taking us further into the toilet. The only difference between them is what it's on.

[TDaleBeavers]

Actually Ruth Bader Ginsberg and Steven Breyer (Clinton's appointees) were confirmed with only about ten "nays", give or take. It seems that only our nominees have close or rejected votes (Robert Bork, Samuel Alito, etc)

[amanda]

Actually Ruth Bader Ginsberg and Steven Breyer (Clinton's appointees) were confirmed with only about ten "nays", give or take. It seems that only our nominees have close or rejected votes (Robert Bork, Samuel Alito, etc)

Uh, maybe because of their positions on certain issues? Voting records? Qualifications? Not sure I get your point, TDB. BTW, have you heard? It appears Judge Pittman is leaving his judgeship. :-D

[dollfus46]

Let me first make it clear that these words speak only for myself. I am a lifelong Republican, and as most of you know, supported Mike Huckabee in the Republican primary. Now that John McCain has sealed the nomination, I will support him in November. Although I do not agree with Senator McCain on several issues, I believe he is far and away a better choice for President than either Barack Obama or Hillary Clinton.

However, I do agree with Rush Limbaugh and call on fellow Republicans like myself to crossover to vote for Hillary Clinton on Tuesday in the Democratic primary. Why? First, no one unites the Republican base like the Clintons, and I believe a Clinton nomination would fire up millions of Republican voters to come out in droves.

Polling data seems to confirm this. The current Real Clear Politics average of polls has Barack Obama leading Senator McCain by 5 points, while polls show Senator McCain either tied or slightly ahead of Hillary Clinton.

Another major reason for this is the African American vote. It is clear that the nature of the Clinton's primary campaign has antagonized droves of African American voters -- particularly, Bill Clinton's dismissing of Barack Obama's victory in South Carolina by saying that "Jesse Jackson won" there too. Nuimerous exit polls have shown that a majority of African Americans, the core base of the Democratic vote, would be dissafisfied if Clinton is the nominee. That says to me that many may either stay home and an unusually large number might vote for McCain.

Finally, if Ted Kennedy, John Kerry and numerous others on the extreme left are endorsing Barack Obama, that says to me that Obama is even more liberal than Clinton, though he barely says it in his meaningless stump speeches. As difficult as this is to swallow, Hillary might be the (albeit very slightly) lesser of two evils.

This election is critical for many reasons, not least of which the current makeup of our U.S. Supreme Court. It is likely within the next four years, that up to four Justices could retire -- including the liberals John Paul Stevens and Ruth Bader Ginsberg, the moderate Anthony Kennedy, and the conservative Antonin Scalia. Could you imagine four ultra leftists being appointed to these seats? If that happens the values that have been the basis for our nation's greatness will be eliminated. Our state constitutional amendment outlawing gay marriage would be struck down, and I'm sure the partial birth abortion ban would be overturned. That's really only the beginning.

Mississippi has a total of 22 pledged delegates (I think there are 8 "super" delegates)...with 7 being from the heavily Democratic Second Congressional District and 5 being from each of the other three. I believe Obama will likely win five or six of the seven delegates in the Second Congressional District, and will win at least two in the First and Third Districts (both races have heated Republican Congressional primaries due to the retirements/promotions of Chip Pickering and Roger Wicker). However, there is no congressional primary in the 4th district, and thus all of us are free to crossover in the Democratic primary.

Thus, let's all have some fun on Tuesday...Let's carry Hillary Clinton to victory in Tuesday's primary...and then have fun beating her in November!

I know both parties do this, but I find it loathsomely dishonest. If you do this kind of crap, don't begin to suggest a politician is dirty until you've labeled yourself as dirty. A political party has every right to put it's best candidate forward without interference from the other party.

[fuzzis]

Actually Ruth Bader Ginsberg and Steven Breyer (Clinton's appointees) were confirmed with only about ten "nays", give or take. It seems that only our nominees have close or rejected votes (Robert Bork, Samuel Alito, etc)

Guess it doesn't matter a whole lot to y'all then...unless you're trying to whip people up into hysteria. :smt105

[amanda]

I know both parties do this, but I find it loathsomely dishonest. If you do this kind of crap, don't begin to suggest a politician is dirty until you've labeled yourself as dirty. A political party has every right to put it's best candidate forward without interference from the other party.


:attack: You are THE dude!! Imagine all my positive rep points here if we still had them. :-D

[dollfus46]

Uh, maybe because of their positions on certain issues? Voting records? Qualifications? Not sure I get your point, TDB. BTW, have you heard? It appears Judge Pittman is leaving his judgeship. :-D
How he votes should not enter into the equasion. Is he/she qualified should be the only criteria. It was the Democrats who first started trying to set the Supreme Court w/Robert Bork, a highly qualified man. Until then most Presidential nominees were accepted if they were qualified. Otherwise Ginsberg never would have made it. Suter lied his way onto the court.

[Hermione]

I'm with Dollfus on the ethics of crossover voting.

[Remington]

Republicans have always just gone along with the democrat SCOTUS nominees and barely put up a fight. They may have possibly learned their lesson and will put up a strong fight now. But the tough nominees to get on the court have always been the republican nominees.

It seemed that the republicans have been afraid of the MSM and didn't want to appear as obstructionist. But the democrats made it appear that every nominee that the republicans put up were actually Hitler reincarnated. I want a judge that interprets the constitution as it is written and intended and not as a living document and not someone who wants to legislate from the bench.

[Soaring Eagle]

Democrats crossing over and voting for McCain in the New York, California, and Florida primaries is the only way I can explain how McCain is the Republican nominee.

[aaron]

If your crazy enough to give your hard-earned money to these people so they can spend it flying in private jets and eating at 5-star restaurants, then you really don't care about the dishonesty involved in crossover voting. You will do anything for your candidate to win.

[brianinms]

I stopped reading once I came to the name of Rush Limbaugh.

Oh btw, don't trust an attorney whose primary email is a hotmail account

[Conveyor Belt]

Oh btw, don't trust an attorney whose primary email is a hotmail account

You trust an attorney???

[Conveyor Belt]

I cast my absentee ballot today. I vote for Obama and OHara... no shit. I was laughing to myself as I folded the ballot and stuffed it in the envelope... O'hara!!! HA!!!!

[amanda]

I cast my absentee ballot today. I vote for Obama and OHara... no shit. I was laughing to myself as I folded the ballot and stuffed it in the envelope... O'hara!!! HA!!!!

What's O'Hara running for this time? :smt102

[lamarrebel]

U.S. Senate against Erik "I got whipped by Trent Lott and then for my own State House seat" Fleming in Tuesday's Democratic primary...all for the right to get slaughtered by Thad Cochran in November.

[mspolitics82]

Know what I want...............a real reason to vote in the Republican Primary!!! Since our Congressmen we send to represent us are seemingly never going to consider establishing a NATIONAL Presidential Primary Election, then I am going to call someone at the Ms. Republican Party Headquarters and ask them to MOVE Ms.'s Presidential Primary to January or February....maybe SUPER TUESDAY....so WE can have voice, too.

I am going to the polls Tuesday to VOTE REPUBLICAN, because I don't care which Democrat gets it....one is as bad as the other and IMO as beatable as the other. I WON'T be voting for Juan Julio McCain, either! And the shame is, that my vote won't matter, but it sure as heck will make me feel better.

[countrygirl]

I am seriously considering "crossing over" and voting the Democratic ticket mainly because it is the only way I can vote and make that vote count for something. Why should I even bother voting the Republican ticket? I've felt all my life that my one little vote was important, and that it could possibly make a difference. I'll vote for the democratic candidate that I feel has the least chance of winning.

[jojobeans1120]

I'm crossing over next Tuesday, but I'll be damned if I'm going to vote for Hillary!
I'm voting for Obama simply to give myself a glimmer of hope that it will push her ass a little further from the nomination!

[XC9]

It wouldn't be considered party jumping if the person has not dedicated him/herself to a certain party. It is getting to where people don't declare parties anymore due to the untruths told by so many. I do not declare to be of any particular party because sometimes the person I may want to vote for isn't on the same ballot as another I want to vote for. Our voting system sucks, ask the people in the cemetery, they will tell you. This is another issue with me, why doesn't anyone in Washington or state capitols think showing an ID is a good idea. Oh yeah, it may take away some of their votes too. Voter ID is the best idea any one ever had and should be added into the constitution as far as I am concerned.

[dollfus46]

I'm crossing over next Tuesday, but I'll be damned if I'm going to vote for Hillary!
I'm voting for Obama simply to give myself a glimmer of hope that it will push her ass a little further from the nomination!
Won't help. Hillary will find a way. Howard Dean is in the palm of her hand.

[dollfus46]

It wouldn't be considered party jumping if the person has not dedicated him/herself to a certain party. It is getting to where people don't declare parties anymore due to the untruths told by so many. I do not declare to be of any particular party because sometimes the person I may want to vote for isn't on the same ballot as another I want to vote for. Our voting system sucks, ask the people in the cemetery, they will tell you. This is another issue with me, why doesn't anyone in Washington or state capitols think showing an ID is a good idea. Oh yeah, it may take away some of their votes too. Voter ID is the best idea any one ever had and should be added into the constitution as far as I am concerned.

When I lived in Charlotte, if you were "undeclared" you could only vote in the general election. I think it should be that way everywhere.

[Conveyor Belt]

I'm pretty sure we don't declare parties in MS. You just register to vote, and when you go to a primary, you go to one table or the other. I don't really remember registering to vote 12 years ago, but I do remember filling out the form for moving, and don't remember any party affiliation questions on there.

[SoMissTV]

When I lived in Charlotte, if you were "undeclared" you could only vote in the general election. I think it should be that way everywhere.

Mississippi works on the open primary system, meaning that voters do not register party affiliations, and have the option to vote in either party's primary. The Mississippi Democratic Party sued the state in order to close their primaries, and the federal judge ruled that every voter in Mississippi will need to declare a party affiliation. In addition, voter ID will be imposed, all before the 2009 elections. The Mississippi Democratic party, The Mississippi GOP, and the state of Mississippi are appealing this decision.

[TRIXR4KIDS]

I would never vote for Hillary, she's a joke, and I would steer all of my friends that can vote away from her. (sorry off sub)

[mspolitics82]

The Mississippi Democratic Party sued the state in order to close their primaries, and the federal judge ruled that every voter in Mississippi will need to declare a party affiliation. In addition, voter ID will be imposed, all before the 2009 elections.

I believe the judge's order was for the legislature to create voter i.d. and set new rules for primaries, wasn't it? The legislature is meeting now, and the House is not very likely to pass voter i.d. , nor have they established any statutes concerning party registration.

Didn't the federal judge say the legislature should pass laws that give voters the option to register as "unaffiliated" as well......and give the parties the choice of opening or closing their primaries to the "unaffiliated"......I may be mistaken, but I think the Miss. DEMS said they will close their primaries to only DEMS and unaffiliated, and Miss. REPS said they will open theirs to anyone.

[SoMissTV]

We're both right. The judge ordered that voter ID be implemented. Implementation can only be legislated by the legislature, so it falls to them to carry out the court order. You can register as unaffiliated, but this will preclude you from voting in either primary. I don't believe he gave parties the choice of open or closed; this is one of the reasons the GOP has joined the appeal.

[hburgguy06]

I think Republicans should cross over, vote for Hillary and keep the Democratic party in turmoil... additionally, It would be a wonderful way to protest our current election process for all those who think we should have voter registration by party.....but on the other hand.. it would be so hard for me to ask for that democratic ballot... never voted a democratic ticket in my life..

[mspolitics82]

We're both right. The judge ordered that voter ID be implemented. Implementation can only be legislated by the legislature, so it falls to them to carry out the court order. You can register as unaffiliated, but this will preclude you from voting in either primary. I don't believe he gave parties the choice of open or closed; this is one of the reasons the GOP has joined the appeal.

Unless the rules have changed....the parties DO determine who is allowed to vote in THEIR primaries, because party primaries are operated by the County Party Committees. The legislature must pass any voter i.d. law that exists/same with voter registration...but let's say they don't. Can a judge actually legislate (create the law) from the bench without legislature's cooperation? So, what if the legislature does not do what the judge says to do? I am not a lawyer, so I don't know about the legal part. I am, however, pretty sure about the Political Party responsibilities when it comes to primary elections.

[dreamhippy]

I think that it would send a wonderful message to the Republican Party if all those Republicans considering voting for Hillary or Obama instead wrote-in a vote for A REPUBLICAN CANDIDATE THAT TRULY INSPIRES THEM in a way that the presumptive nominee John McCain doesn`t. Newt Gingrich is a name I have heard bandied about. He`s just one example. McCain has it sewed up, so it won`t hurt him, BUT it will send a loud and clear message to the GOP that McCain needs to move to a much more Conservative outlook.

[lamarrebel]

I think the only time I've ever voted in the Democratic primary was for Mayor of Jackon while I was in law school in 1997. That was simply because no Republicans were running for City Councilman in my ward, and I didn't want Harvey Johnson to be elected Mayor.

I really don't want Hillary Clinton to become President, but I'm now convinced that I don't want Obama to become president just a little bit more. And, as aforesaid, I think McCain has a better shot against Hillary that Obama. Thus, as difficult as a Hillary vote is to stomach...given that our side is resolved, I'm resolved to do this.

[SoMissTV]

I'm with ya, hubb [shudder].

[Conveyor Belt]

I'm with ya, hubb [shudder].

Holy sh!t... it's the end of the world...

[dreamhippy]

"God gave men both a penis and a brain, but unfortunately not enough blood supply to run both at the same time."
by Robin Williams, commenting on the Clinton/Lewinsky affair

[SueScribe]

. . . I do agree with Rush Limbaugh and call on fellow Republicans like myself to crossover to vote for Hillary Clinton on Tuesday in the Democratic primary. Why? First, no one unites the Republican base like the Clintons, and I believe a Clinton nomination would fire up millions of Republican voters to come out in droves.

. . .Thus, let's all have some fun on Tuesday...Let's carry Hillary Clinton to victory in Tuesday's primary...and then have fun beating her in November!

How'd that work out for ya' ?

You trust an attorney???

I do. One, particularly. He's a sweetheart, and an ethical, vigorous advocate who is just beginning to fire up his practice. Ten years hence, he'll be an unstoppable force in trial lawyering. I'd trust him (and have) with the core of my heart and soul, and he has kept same intact and whole with the grit and brains, en tandem, usually found in very few members of The Bar.

Democrats crossing over and voting for McCain in the New York, California, and Florida primaries is the only way I can explain how McCain is the Republican nominee.

May I suggest an alternate explanation:

The rest of the pack SUCKED even more than McCain in those states. New Yorkers were not going to vote for an Evangelical/Pastor-President. Ditto California. Nor were they going to vote for another religion-specific candidate in Romney, who likely looked (to the Californians at least) like a run-of-the-mill Soap Opera-ish character. Florida saw the handwriting on the political wall by the time the primary took place and swapped Rudy for John, for the same reasons cited above.

Ron Paul (bless his lil' heart) scored some votes in all three contests.

But, I submit that Democrats are not engaged in the same dirty tricks voting that Republicans will stoop to in an effort to co-opt an election. (At least, I have never received e-mails asking me to do these things, NOR have I heard Rachel Maddow of Air America suggest that we do.

Rush is leading the GOP down a trickster path, trying to make himself look powerful and persuasive, knowing all the time that the dribble-drabble of Republicans willing to engage in a deal with the Political Hyprocisy Devil wont' - and haven't - made a dent.

Sue

Sue

[Bluesman]

How'd that work out for ya' ?

Pretty well I'd say since he only netted 5.....:smt023

Maybe Ralph can pick O'bama Bin Ladin as his V.P.... But, then again I prolly wouldn't vote for him if'n he did that cause that would not be "Change I can believe in"


Jus kiddn Sue... you can put down the Nitro pills now. Congrats on your boyscout gettin his 5 yesterday...

[Conveyor Belt]

However, I do agree with Rush Limbaugh and call on fellow Republicans like myself to crossover to vote for Hillary Clinton on Tuesday in the Democratic primary. Why? First, no one unites the Republican base like the Clintons, and I believe a Clinton nomination would fire up millions of Republican voters to come out in droves.

Did or did not Rush ask people to cross over in the voting on Tuesday?

Today, on his show, he acted as if he asked people to cross over in Texas, and he'll ask them to cross over in Penn., but he didn't ask them to cross over in MS and that's why Obama won.

I had to roll my eyes at that one a bit, b/c if my memory serves me, he was harping pretty good on crossing over on Monday and the only upcoming election was the MS primary.

[SoMissTV]

Did or did not Rush ask people to cross over in the voting on Tuesday?

I haven't listened to Rush since he had that TV show in the early to mid 90's.

[jojobeans1120]

He's been encouraging people to do the cross over voting for a while now. I don't know if he personally made any references to MS, but I'm certain he did Texas.