Any evidence liberals sat out the MA election?

[Kaleva]

[SteppingRazor]

1. Sure. The result. n/t

[Political Heretic]

5. Good. When the party runs someone that utterly pathetic, I don't blame the voters.

And before you even bother to bring up the age old - if you don't vote for any democrat, then its a vote for a republcian - chestnut, I'll save you the trouble. I'm not scared by that threat.

Number one, I accept that the fight for the change we need will mean some tough times and some hardships, with the possibility that some republicans might sneak into positions of power amidst the chaos of a Democratic shake-up. And that outcome will put me at risk, as a low-income American.

I'm willing to accept that cost as part of the long term battle for a more equitable and just system. Real change of the kind that we need is going to mean war - its not going to be pretty, and it will mean some difficult days and short term setbacks in order to reach long term successes. I'm prepared for that.

I'm prepared for that because the status quo and continuing to function only within the rules and parameters of this bought and paid for system that serves the financial elite is unsustainable and unacceptable. We either change or our country dies. It's that simple.

And constantly voting for failed, pathetic candidates, or candidates completely in the pocket of privileged interests will not bring the change we need.

[SteppingRazor]

12. I agree with you for the most part. I'm not making a value judgement here, just stating a fact.

The Republican won the race. I'm not saying whether it's good or bad, I'm just saying that that fact, in and of itself, is evidence that liberals did not turn out to vote in large numbers.

I disagree that it's a good thing that Brown won, though I am deeply sympathetic regarding your underlying reasons.

[Political Heretic]

13. Understood

[treestar]

18. I think the voters need to be held responsible

After all, it's up to us as voters. If we sit around waiting to be whipped up or inspired, we deserve what we get.

This country was founded on self government - if we rely on the leaders to get us to do things, we are foregoing that opportunity and by choice.

[Political Heretic]

22. I agree. It is up to the voters. Not to vote for shitty candidates and demand better.

[Kaleva]

30. The two otehr Dems who ran against Coakly were more liberal but lost badly.

[cali]

2. yes. voting tallies in Boston which were far, far lower than in 2008

particularly when viewed in light of voting tallies in the suburbs which were higher than in 2008.

[Kaleva]

10. I think this needs to be compared to other off year elections.

[Kaleva]

29. Turn out in Boston was double that of the primary election held in December.

[virgogal]

3. In the cities voting was down and that's where most of the liberals are.

[treestar]

4. No, none

In fact they went and voted for Coakley.

There is information on DU posted about it. To those for whom HCR was important, they went and voted for her.

[Hello_Kitty]

7. Wasn't just about HCR.

People sat out the election because they were pissed about the economy and lack of action on Wall Street.

[SteppingRazor]

8. Not necessarily. Many Obama voters voted for Brown...

and of those that did, some 80 percent support a public option.

[Zenlitened]

11. False.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x7523533

[Political Heretic]

14. What he is referring to is that 23% of self-identifying Democrats vote for Brown

[Political Heretic]

17. Sorry I completely misread posts. My stat is true, but confused who was saying what.

[laughingliberal]

16. Howard Dean's post election polling showed around 20% of those who usually vote Democratic who voted

for Brown did so because they did not want this mandate without a public option. The polling showed about the same percentage for those who usually vote Democratic. In other words in both of these groups the lack of public option in the bill was the reason 18% (voted Brown), 20%( didn't vote) they gave for their decision.

[treestar]

23. Still don't get how they think Brown would vote for a public option

and after all, it is only one issue. What about the rest?

[laughingliberal]

25. I don't think the point was that Brown would vote for a public option

I think the point is the public option was dead and buried and the only bill available to vote on would not include it. They did not want this bill and Coakley had said she would vote for this bill.

May only be one issue but it was one that will have far reaching effects on their lives. They get to cast or withhold their votes for whatever reasons they deem important. One of the problems with democracy. You know, Democracy: the worst system in the world except for all the others.

[Individualist]

20. You're in a serious state of denial.

[mzmolly]

6. Independents gave the election to Brown.

This according to the polls.

[laughingliberal]

26. Yes and DFA's post election polling was of the independents who went for Obama

and, traditionally, vote Democratic.

[mzmolly]

27. Someone elected Romney and four out of five Republican

Governors in the past five such elections. Not to mention, polls in MA also suggest that Obama remains highly popular.

[laughingliberal]

31. Their polling showed what it showed. I didn't conduct the poll.

I'm sorry if the results don't please you. Obama may be popular but enough people voted Brown or stayed home due to the lack of a public option in the bill for which Coakley was prepared to vote to have swung the election.

[mzmolly]

32. I saw the poll you speak of

and I disagree with your specific interpretation. What the poll showed is that Obama voters supported a public option. These same voters did not support the candidate, Coakley, who also wanted a public option.

[laughingliberal]

33. The voters are not idiots. The only bill for which she would have been voting would not have a PO

It's like this: HCR bill=No Public Option. Candidate A will vote for bill without public option=voting for a bill I don't want. Candidate B will not vote for the bill=will not try to pass the bill I don't want.

She could stand naked on top of the tallest building and proclaim her belief in the public option but it would not change the fact that, once she said she would vote for the bill, she would be voting for a bill without a public option and all the 'wanting a public option' in the world would not have changed it. That would have done it for me. If a candidate says they'll vote for a bill I don't want to pass and it is the single most important issue on my list, why would I vote for them?

When you're dealing with that large a population of independents, even ones who usually vote Democratic, party loyalty and ideology will not carry far when presented with a candidate who has already said they'll vote for something you don't want. In this case a health care reform bill with no public option. I might have seen it differently and voted for her but I have the perspective of being a party member.

[ddeclue]

9. Young people did in droves and they tend to be more liberal

while old people voted.

[DURHAM D]

24. I saw a poll that said the 18-29 demographic voted 2 to 1 for Brown. nt

[mzmolly]

28. They're like mini Megan McCain's.

"Socially liberal, fiscally conservative" ... supposedly.

[rox63]

15. Turnout in cities was generally under 40%

In the more conservative 'burbs and rural areas, it was over 50%.

[negativenihil]

19. IMO

it's more about the fact that Brown was on the ground, getting people who wouldn't usually vote in an election like this to vote.

plain and simple.

I voted, all of my friends voted and we're all liberal as all hell, and i know we all voted for Coakly.

Look, i know it sucks, but Brown won fair and square. Let's have our little shitfits and then lets get over it and get to work on the next two elections.

[Edweird]

21. You mean other than the fact a tea bagger won?