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Monday, November 01, 2004
Why Non-Swing-Staters MUST Vote, Too
Posted by DavidNYCThis post is going to be short, simple and to the point. Even if you don't live in a swing state, it is absolutely imperative that you vote on Tuesday. For one, there are probably worthy Democrats running in contested races for other offices. But even if you're in a situation like mine, where every Dem you plan on voting for in every race is guaranteed to win by a landslide, you still need to vote.
Why? Because we need to ensure that John Kerry and John Edwards' margin of victory in the national popular vote is as big as possible. Yes, of course - the national vote doesn't literally "matter" in terms of selecting the victor. But it does matter in terms of conferring legitimacy on the winner. The last thing we want is a reverse of 2000, where Kerry wins the electoral college but loses the popular vote. I don't think this is likely, but analyst Tom Schaller thinks it's possible - so we should do everything we can to avoid that possibility.
If you're in New York or Texas, California or Indiana - any state not "lucky" enough to be a battleground this year - you still have a duty. Go cast your vote for Kerry-Edwards, and make sure your like-minded friends and family do the same.
UPDATE: Markos reiterates the importance of this point.
Posted at 02:20 AM in Safe States | Technorati
Comments
If you live in Indiana, and you care at ALL, you'd best be voting against George Bush's prince of deficits, Mitch Daniels.
Posted by: Morgan at November 1, 2004 08:09 AM | Permalink | Edit Comment | Delete Comment
Just to quibble, the reverse 2000 situation you describe is not quite the "last thing" I want. But your point is well taken. Although I live in New Jersey and there are no seriously contested races on my ballot, I'm going to vote bright and early tomorrow morning. I wouldn't miss it for the world.
Posted by: Drew Vogel at November 1, 2004 11:27 AM | Permalink | Edit Comment | Delete Comment
Actually, I would be laughing my ass off if Bush were to win the popular vote and lose the election. The Radical Right would be in massive spin mode. To me that would be the best case scenario.
Posted by: DFuller at November 1, 2004 11:52 AM | Permalink | Edit Comment | Delete Comment
DFuller-
If Bush wins the Popular vote and clearly loses the Electoral Vote then Kerry is President. Period. The reverse also holds true. That's the way our government is set up...it allows states that don't have major population centers to still maintain an active role in the government...since we ARE a federation of states.
Posted by: John at November 1, 2004 11:54 AM | Permalink | Edit Comment | Delete Comment
Drew: Yes, certainly - the absolute last thing we want is a Kerry loss. But for all the ways a Kerry victory might take place, an EC win but a popular vote loss would be a bit painful.
Posted by: DavidNYC at November 1, 2004 12:43 PM | Permalink | Edit Comment | Delete Comment
FL: The Good, Bad & Ugly
Current Prior
Good:
Fox Kerry +5
Gallup Kerry +3 (-8)
Zogby Kerry +1 (+2)
The Bad:
Rasmussen -2 (-5)
The Ugly
Quinnipiac Kerry -8 (-3)
Posted by: DFuller at November 1, 2004 01:53 PM | Permalink | Edit Comment | Delete Comment
I think that a Kerry win in the electoral college and a Bush win in the popular vote might be the BEST thing that could happen. It would highlight the absurdity of the electoral college and motivate people from both parties to do something about it, which is in everyone's long-term interest.
Posted by: Joseph Hovsep at November 1, 2004 02:13 PM | Permalink | Edit Comment | Delete Comment
I live in Indiana and I can tell you Mitch Danniels is going to win. I live in the NW part of the state and everyone is pissed about Kernan because of the property tax garbage. It was BS, some people in Miller Beach had property taxed at almost 10% per year. On a 200k house that is $20,000 in taxes a year. No Democrat is going to win statwide office in Indiana without getting a big margin in Lake country. I the course of my work I can tell you though that this region sure as hell hates George Bush and will vote in huge number for Kerry. Not that it will matter because of the southern part of the state but we'll give it a go anyway.
Posted by: Jocko at November 1, 2004 04:45 PM | Permalink | Edit Comment | Delete Comment