Could Pot Drive Turnout In Key Elections?

[groovedaddy]

Putting the question of marijuana legalization on state ballots in 2012 may be one of the most effective ways for a dispirited Democratic Party to get reluctant voters out to the polls. The wild card in the coming midterms and in 2012 will be the "surge" voters -- people who were driven to the polls in 2008 through a once-in-a-generation mix of shame at the outgoing administration and hope in a new, barrier-breaking candidate. Democrats are investing millions in figuring out how to get those voters out, and the marijuana issue is getting increasing attention from political operatives.

A survey making the rounds among strategists, which has yet to be made public, indicates that pot could be just the enticement many of these voters need: Surge voters, single women under 40 and Hispanics all told America Votes pollsters that if a legalization measure were on the Colorado ballot, they'd be more likely to come out to vote. Forty-five percent of surge voters and 47 percent of single women said they'd be more interested in voting if the question was on the ballot. Most of these were energetic, with 36 and 30 percent, respectively, saying they'd be "much more interested" in coming out to vote. Roughly half said it would make no difference. For Latinos, 32 percent said they'd be "much more interested" in voting and another 12 percent said they'd be somewhat more attracted to the idea of trudging to the polls.

Surge voters said they would support the measure by a margin of 63-35. Young single women would back it 68-31. Latinos, meanwhile, oppose it 52-46, according to the survey. "Whether it can pass or not is another question, but I think it's clear that a marijuana legalization measure has the potential to increase turnout among voting groups that are critical to Democratic success in November," said a Colorado Democratic operative, who, like most strategists employed by campaigns, prefers not to talk about marijuana on the record -- highlighting the difficulty Democrats will have threading the political needle.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/08/02/could-pot-drive-turnout-i_n_667001.html

[Curmudgeoness]

1. Watch what you wish for. It was gay marriage that got the RWs

riled up to go to the polls in the past. Or abortion. Or illegal immigrants. This could also energize the RW.

[RainDog]

2. the article goes on to note an anti-prohibition Arizona Republican gearing up to run in 2012

And that Republicans have already staked out a claim as the anti-big govt, anti-nanny state party.

And that they can point to figures that show that imprisonment for marijuana increased under the Clinton Administration.

Democrats are so out of it, so oblivious to the anger on the left - ALL THEY EVER CARE ABOUT - is what the right "might" do.

In the meantime, republicans see a wedge issue to divide young voters from democrats. 70% of young voters polled in CA support legalization.

It would be the irony of ironies if the democrats lost the left because they were so busy pandering to the right wing, the religious nuts and some imaginary "centrist" that they lost the youth and liberal libertarian vote over this issue.

But it's a huge issue - democrats again do themselves a huge disservice if they fail to recognize that this issue has to do with economics, with the corporate prison complex, with decades of lies by govt' officials on both sides of the aisle - with the loss of so many privileges of democracy by laws that are simply wrong and that are applied in classist and racist ways.

However, at this point I have no hope that the democrats will get a clue. I fully expect them to continue to alienate their voting base - and the reality is that if a candidate comes along who wants to stop the bullshit - that candidate will find LOTS of support.

[Curmudgeoness]

3. Your last statement makes me sad, but I think it is true.

There would be a lot of support for a candidate who wants to stop the bullshit. Actually, I think that it what most of us were so excited about when we worked to get Obama the presidency. I just keep fighting my Dem representatives at all levels over what they are doing that is contrary to what we believe.

[TexanRudeBoy]

6. ....

"Actually, I think that it what most of us were so excited about when we worked to get Obama the presidency."

Hows that one working out.............. the bullshit is certainly being stopped.....oh wait....its being continued or strengthened on every front........

[HillbillyBob]

4. As a gay liberal the dems have pissed me off to the point

that I Did stay home during the primaries and I might well do so in November.
After all as you state they pander to to the right and tell hte left to quit whining...my reply is a big F U. The idea that the pukes could get back in there almost makes me want to vote for them to see how big a mess they make of it, but I would rather shoot the next rpig than vote for em.

[Phil The Cat]

5. True That!

I've known people who voted for McCain AND medical marijuana! Some RWers are stoners who would vote for it, and others of course would come out to vote against it! And there's always the danger the stoners might space out and forget it is election day (he said ashamedly)(at least the millage passed, so no harm no foul?)!

So you have a point! It might be a double edge sword!