MA report from the ground: Turnout HUGE

[kpete]

MA report from the ground: Turnout HUGE
by firenze
Tue Jan 19, 2010 at 06:53:13 AM PST

My heart sank when I got up this morning and saw that it was snowing steadily. Would voters turn out? Then I went to vote, and the scene exceeded my hopes. It looked like a busy presidential election day. Turnout was MASSIVE at my polling place, which is a good liberal Democratic stronghold. There was still a cop directing traffic in and out after 9 am.

A friend who voted when the polls opened said he had the hardest time parking at his polling place as he's ever had. I know it's not over until the votes are counted. But if this election is truly about turnout, and those 2 precincts are any indication of what's going on statewide, there are going to be a lot of happy Democrats tonight.

You're all heroes. All of you, everywhere. Every one of you who phonebanked and contacted people you know in Mass and did all the hard work of getting turnout. I thank you from the bottom of my heart. Because here's the thing.

more:
http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2010/1/19/826773/-MA-report-from-the-ground:-Turnout-HUGE

[thunder rising]

1. I really hope MA voters were smart enough to lie to pollsters ... I know I'm going to

It seems to be the only way to get the Administration (groundhog) out of it's hole.

[NightWatcher]

3. dont do that. it helps when poll numbers and actual votes match

if poll numbers are close, they can steal the election with the help of Diebold and Sequoia

[thunder rising]

9. That make no sense. The actual vote has to be close sense massive vote fraud is easy to detect.

Exit polls on the other hand should be close.

[slackmaster]

24. Poll numbers never precisely match exact vote counts

So they always provide fodder for conspiracy theorists.

[Alexander]

42. But sometimes vote counts deviate significantly from the exit polls.

Like in Ukraine, where they used it as evidence to uncover fraud and hold the election over again.

Oh yeah, Ohio in 2004 too.

[bemildred]

44. Lying to pollsters is a duty and an honor.

Everyone should do as a matter of course.

[Tailormyst]

2. I just hope it was enough

[Warpy]

4. The snow looks like an Alberta clipper

and they dump their snow quickly and scoot on out. It's a nuisance snowstorm, not a traffic snarling monstrosity that would hold turnout down.

Most people in Mass. take small snowstorms completely in stride.

[TexasObserver]

5. Recommend

[Motown_Johnny]

6. are these Democratic precincts you are referring to?

(we need a smile with crossed fingers)

[Tracer]

7. Just came back from voting.

Yes, it's snowing, but only an inch or so and it hasn't kept anyone from the polls that I can see.

My precinct was not exactly mobbed, but the parking lot was full and there was a steady stream of people going in and out.

The Coakley group outside had HUGE signs and the two soccer moms holding Brown signs were definitely outnumbered.

[blitzburgh55]

10. You should have reminded the soccer moms

that Brown is Pro-Choice.

[lukasahero]

13. "Brown is Pro-Choice"

On what planet?

[blitzburgh55]

20. According to his very own website...

Abortion
While this decision should ultimately be made by the woman in consultation with her doctor, I believe we need to reduce the number of abortions in America. I believe government has the responsibility to regulate in this area and I support parental consent and notification requirements and I oppose partial birth abortion. I also believe there are people of good will on both sides of the issue and we ought to work together to support and promote adoption as an alternative to abortion.

[Betty Karlson]

40. Confession to make here:

While I hate to admit it, on this ONE issue statement, Mr. Brown and I seem to agree - although we probably would fly into a rousing row as soon as the question was put forward: HOW are we going to do all that?

Because the republican solution (regulation) isn't working, has never worked, and will never work either.

[lukasahero]

45. Are you aware that he sponsored a bill that would allow Drs and nurses to refuse

to even talk about the option of emergency contraception for victims of rape?

He can post what he wants on his website. His actions speak louder than words.

[Betty Karlson]

46. Yes, it's those actions that would get him

and me at opposite sides again. Indeed, his actions speak louder than his words. Although, with my background, I won't hold this against him too much.

There are much more pressing matters. Like refusing to vote for a health care reform, when every day hundreds of lives are lost due to poor insurance.

If you want to protect lives, see the whole woman, not just the womb, Mr Centerfold...

[GreenPartyVoter]

19. Pro-choice as in allowing kids to choose between soccer and other sports???

[AndyA]

8. Thanks for the hopeful post.

I would really hate to see Ted Kennedy's former seat go to the GOP. He was good to his constituents, I hope they remember that and keep a Democrat in that seat.

[WI_DEM]

11. Good Luck!

[Lex]

12. Well, that sounds like really good news!

Excellent.

[DCBob]

14. Great news!

Maybe the MA Dems finally woke up!

[Deep13]

15. Go Mass. voters!

Around thay-ah, snow is measahed in feet, not inches.

I grew up in the bay state and voted on a papah ballot with a big pencil and put it in the box when I was done. It was a wicked good system.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MbGEYSY42No&feature=related

[Tim01]

16. Yeah, but who are all those people voting for? nt

[GreenPartyVoter]

18. Traditionally it is thought that higher turnout favors the Dems. Let us hope it

applies today.

[DCBob]

22. Yes, I believe it does.

The recent Gov elections in VA and NJ showed how low turnout clearly does not favor Dems. This is very good news!

[Deep13]

21. The concern was that the most motivated voters were the teabaggers.

A low turnout would mean a heavy conservative presence at the polls. High turnout means that more of the D. vote will be present which outnumbers the Rs 4 to 1. Even though there are more independent voters than either Ds or Rs, the state still went for Obama, Kerry and Gore over 60%. And of course the last two time Sen. Kennedy ran, he won with over 70%.

[GreenPartyVoter]

17. That's great news! Hope it is the same all over the state.

[goclark]

23. Democrats do your duty and get to those polls!

Keep on Marching in the snow to get out that vote!

[BlueDemKev]

29. Amen!

Democrats in Mass., the future of our country is at stake! GET OUT & VOTE FOR MARTHA COAKLEY!!

[rocktivity]

25. That's encouraging, certainly

Huge turnout is what helped us in '06 and '08. VERY good news for a change.

When I voted for Obama, I expected a line, but I thought I would be in and out in plenty of time to catch my 6:30 AM bus to work. There were at least 75 people ahead of me!

:headbang:
rocktivity

[stubtoe]

26. Thank you for the hopeful news. Go, Mass!

Wonder what the MSM will do with that...

[BlueDemKev]

27. Turnout in Boston?

Does anyone know what the turnout is like (so far) in Boston's urban areas? We definitely need a HUGE turnout from that heavily-populated, reliably progressive area.

[WilliamPitt]

34. Good in my neck of the woods

http://www.truthout.org/massachusetts-election-live-blog56173

[boomerbust]

28. Larry Kudlow

Just looked right in the camera and said "Bye Bye" to healthcare reform and the Democrats. This guy is pure filth. They are also saying that the huge turnout being reported is a good sign for the Pukes.:rofl:

[truebrit71]

41. He's obviously back on the blow then..

...I despise him with a passion..

[tsuki]

30. Thanks kpete. Was looking for a report. K&R.

[treestar]

31. Maybe these polls and the national attention helped people realize

they should get out! Good for them!

[BlueDemKev]

32. Gosh, I hope so

[euphoria12leo]

36. I was thinking the same thing.

One other thing should get people motivated is seeing those teabaggers out screaming, shoving and carrying the hateful signs. Even spitting while up in someone else's grill. They are trying to do whatever they can to intimidate voters. :mad:

[joeunderdog]

51. Saying that the other guy is winning always gets people motivated.

All this pro-Brown press took voters who stayed home in a truly apathetic primary out to the polls in a snowy day today.

[wryter2000]

33. Thanks, that's very hopeful

If she wins, will the media spin it as a victory for Obama and health care reform? (someone cue the crickets)

:hi:

[stubtoe]

35. *chirp* *chirp* *chirp*

:D

[pinto]

37. Kick.

:kick:

[opihimoimoi]

38. WICKED GOOD.... I Hope Joe S eats his Shit

[mochajava666]

47. That would be beautiful

I can't stand that ass hat.

[opihimoimoi]

54. His is an Asshole of immense proportion....history will deal with him negatively

[robinlynne]

39. yeah!

[Scurrilous]

43. K & R

:thumbsup:

[intheflow]

48. My DIL in Springfield said the lines were out the door at her polling place.

That made us both happy!

[Lord Helmet]

49. Most promising news I've heard all day about the election.

[KonaKane]

50. Big turnouts are always good for the Democrats

Let's hope that trend holds.

[Manifestor_of_Light]

52. Heavy turnouts always favor Democrats.

Good news.
My dad told me this years ago and he was quite active in Democratic politics and union organizing.

Republicans want to stop people from voting; Democrats want more people (minorities esp.) to vote.

[Jakes Progress]

53. They better turn out. Or

they will get to find out what it is like to be Texas. Brown is another Cornyn. You can't look down your noses at Texas if you elect the same stupid idiots.