(Danville, California)
It's good to be back on home ground after an ICY five days in the Washington, DC area covering the Potomac Primaries.
Former Gov. Mitt Romney (R-MA) endorsed Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) today and the combined delegate total all but seals the nomination for McCain. Look for Romney to be on the short list for VP. He gives the Republican ticket geographic balance (Southwest vs. Northeast); ideological balance (Moderate Vs. Conservative); and age balance for those concerned about McCain (71 vs. 60). Romney could also help shore-up McCain's own self-confessed weaknesses on economic issues.
All that said, there are some numbers out today that are bound to make Republicans worried.
So far in the 2008 Primaries and Caucuses, Democrats have received almost 21 million votes to just under 13 million for Republicans. That's a split of 59% to 38%, and a troubling trend that could hurt Republicans in November. That said, there are a few possible explanations for the disparity:
1) The party "out" of power tends to draw more numbers especially if it's a contested primary. The Clinton vs. Obama showdown matches "Ali vs. Frazier" in boxing. Simply put, right now the Democrats are selling more tickets.
2) The GOP race had trended toward McCain for a few weeks. Some Republican voters may simply stay home, assuming another win for McCain. This gets compounded by bad weather such as the ice storm during Tuesday's Potomac Primaries. Right now, GOP voters are less motivated. That could easily change by November.
3) Independent votes are skewed. Some states do not allow independents to vote in partisan primaries. McCain draws big numbers of independents. It's possible that people will come out to vote for him in November, who cannot vote for him now. Keep an eye on this for Tuesday February 19, when Wisconsin votes. It's one of only a few states that allows an "open primary" where any voter can vote for any party. It's totally non-partisan. Exit polling will tell us how many independents voted and for whom.
Last week in Sacramento I spoke with California Republican Party Chairman Duf Sundheim, about the disparity in total voters. He is not worried. "We still have nine months before us," Sundheim said, "We've got a long way to go."
The next stop on the campaign trail for me is Wisconsin for next Tuesday's primary. Voters also go to the polls in Hawaii.
Check in daily at: www.MarkCurtisMedia.blogspot.com.
It's good to be back on home ground after an ICY five days in the Washington, DC area covering the Potomac Primaries.
Former Gov. Mitt Romney (R-MA) endorsed Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) today and the combined delegate total all but seals the nomination for McCain. Look for Romney to be on the short list for VP. He gives the Republican ticket geographic balance (Southwest vs. Northeast); ideological balance (Moderate Vs. Conservative); and age balance for those concerned about McCain (71 vs. 60). Romney could also help shore-up McCain's own self-confessed weaknesses on economic issues.
All that said, there are some numbers out today that are bound to make Republicans worried.
So far in the 2008 Primaries and Caucuses, Democrats have received almost 21 million votes to just under 13 million for Republicans. That's a split of 59% to 38%, and a troubling trend that could hurt Republicans in November. That said, there are a few possible explanations for the disparity:
1) The party "out" of power tends to draw more numbers especially if it's a contested primary. The Clinton vs. Obama showdown matches "Ali vs. Frazier" in boxing. Simply put, right now the Democrats are selling more tickets.
2) The GOP race had trended toward McCain for a few weeks. Some Republican voters may simply stay home, assuming another win for McCain. This gets compounded by bad weather such as the ice storm during Tuesday's Potomac Primaries. Right now, GOP voters are less motivated. That could easily change by November.
3) Independent votes are skewed. Some states do not allow independents to vote in partisan primaries. McCain draws big numbers of independents. It's possible that people will come out to vote for him in November, who cannot vote for him now. Keep an eye on this for Tuesday February 19, when Wisconsin votes. It's one of only a few states that allows an "open primary" where any voter can vote for any party. It's totally non-partisan. Exit polling will tell us how many independents voted and for whom.
Last week in Sacramento I spoke with California Republican Party Chairman Duf Sundheim, about the disparity in total voters. He is not worried. "We still have nine months before us," Sundheim said, "We've got a long way to go."
The next stop on the campaign trail for me is Wisconsin for next Tuesday's primary. Voters also go to the polls in Hawaii.
Check in daily at: www.MarkCurtisMedia.blogspot.com.
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