You Know Those 626,000 Republicans Who Turned Out in Wisconsin Yesterday? Go Higher. A LOT Higher.

Big number, but if the Marquette Law poll released last Wednesday is to be believed...that number is actually low.

MU found that of the voters confirming they would be voting in the Democratic primary, 17% were Republicans.

We will never know the actual numbers per party since there was no exit polling.

Assuming that even HALF of that number stuck by their decision to cross over to cause some mayhem, that means that over 50,000 votes on the Democratic side were just devilish Republicans, bringing the total turnout to over 676k for our side.

If you go by the Marquette number, those "hidden Rs" swell to an additional 110k, bringing total turnout to 736,000: nearly matching Prosser's share in 2011 for a primary.

There is no way to spin turnout Tuesday in the Democrat's favor.
Walker won more votes overall than he did in the primary he faced in 2010- 360k out of 616k total cast (which was contested, mind you)- he won 626k clear this time.

Falk, union hope, was annihilated by Barrett, and that was with mischievous Republicans thinking she was the weaker candidate.

Dane County gave the Democrats a massive edge in votes of about 80,000, but proportionally that did not materialize in Milwaukee, which is a big concern for anyone trying to unseat Walker. If you remember earlier discussions here at the AOSHQDD, depressed Democratic turnout in Milwaukee county relative to the rest of the state actually saved Justice Prosser. The Madison vote will show up. The pro-Walker vote will show up from the Milwaukee burbs. Will traditional Presidential-race Democrats in Wisconsin's largest city bother for a special election, even one as hyped as this? So far, the little evidence we have points to a big fat nuh-uh.

Walker won the largest uncontested share of a primary vote for governor last night in 40 years. His base is behind him when they really didn't need to show up at all.

These numbers should encourage us, but don't let up. Walker needs to win by a convincing margin and continues to need our support.

Still, fun to gloat if just for a day.

posted by CAC at 06:11 PM

| Access Comments