Democratic voter motivation in Wisconsin has Republicans worried

[Eugene]

Source: Washington Post

Democratic voter motivation in Wisconsin has Republicans worried

By Amy Gardner, Dan Balz and Dan Simmons
April 14, 2020 at 8:06 p.m. EDT

John Carter, 71, stood in line for three hours last week to cast his ballot for Jill Karofsky, the liberal candidate for the Wisconsin Supreme Court.

Carter, a retired bus driver from Milwaukee and African-American Democrat, said he wanted badly to oust conservative Justice Dan Kelly. And he wanted to send a message to President Trump and state Republicans, who pushed for in-person voting despite the threat of the novel coronavirus pandemic.

“I saw the line and thought, ‘Oh my God,’ ” Carter said. “’But I have to vote. I must stay here.’ That’s why so many people stood in those lines. They wanted change. They’re looking for a change.”

On Monday, Karofsky claimed a surprisingly decisive victory, defeating the Republican incumbent by 11 points. She was propelled by thousands of motivated Democrats, who were angered by GOP insistence on going forward with the election amid the coronavirus pandemic— seen by many as a way to suppress turnout and boost the conservative candidate in an obscure state court race.

The mobilization of these voters could signal a warning to Republicans in a state that will be key for Trump in the fall.

-snip-

Read more: https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/democratic-voter-motivation-in-wisconsin-has-republicans-worried/2020/04/14/431df23e-7e77-11ea-a3ee-13e1ae0a3571_story.html

[still_one]

1. Good, and fuck them

[mzmolly]

2. Those poor people.

I hope they vote out every possible Republican this November.

[htuttle]

3. Ya think?

[WVreaper]

4. As they should be.

[RandySF]

5. I will fucking roll over broken glass to vote

and I live in deep blue California.

[The Magistrate]

7. Deep Hate For The Cheap Thug, Sir, Is The Foundation Of This Election

The pundits of our commentariat miss this, because their attitude towards politics is fundamentally frivolous. They view it as a species of pennant race, and themselves as either prognosticators or cheerleaders. Never as participants, never as people affected by the outcome.

Therefore they are blind to the deep emotions and passions which do move the people who turn out to vote. Especially when these emotions have no place in a civics textbooks, and are things people are expected to rise above in performing a civic duty.

But is precisely these base feelings which move people most strongly. Racism, detestation of women and worship of the manly are standard features directing actual voters' behavior. Even more important is tribalism, the simple cultivation and satisfaction of group identity, of being joined with together people, with folks like you and me. There is love of a charismatic figure, identifying with this magical person and feeling the better for it. And there is hatred, hatred for a devil in human form, hatred for a devil who seeks destruction of the country and the things you love. Hatred for a devil who has got a good way towards success in wreaking the evil ends he desires.

Decent, patriotic citizens are today moved in overwhelming numbers by hatred for such a devil in human form, and make fewer and fewer bones daily about openly expressing their hatred, and mean to give it its fullest possible effect at the polls. There is nothing whatever wrong with this feeling, and people who have hearts too gentle for it would do well to get out of its way, for those moved by it do not want to hear about how 'this makes you just like them' or 'that's just going to hurt you worse'. People who know this devil must be destroyed do not care what success may cost themselves, and do not care what people may think of what they do. They are cheered by realizing there are many, many people who feel as they do, and know they constitute a tribe, a large and vigorous fighting tribe. That will destroy the devil or die trying.

This is the sort of thing people trying to show their understanding of 'the process' by successfully guessing what will happen next week, people who stand on the sidelines waving pom-poms and chanting ludicrous rhymes of encouragement or horror, simply cannot see, no matter how plainly they are spread before their eyes.

But it is there.

Heaven knows it is there.


"Defeat of a hated enemy is something to be for."

[Zambero]

8. Ironically

The voter suppression and election day endangerment instigated by the GOP is a primary motivator for Democrats. I have to hand it to Republicans, who are increasingly finding new and creative ways to shoot themselves in the foot.

[keithbvadu2]

9. Every republican running should have his image paired with an image of Trump saying "I take no respo

Every republican running should have his image paired with an image of Trump saying "I take no responsibility at all."

[CaptYossarian]

10. Our corporate (Spectrum) news out of Green Bay reported

that Karofsky "edged" Kelly.

They're always in denial of the truth. Expect an extensive investigation into tossing the wrong ballots.

[sdfernando]

11. I am in awe of every single Wisconsin voter

that went to vote. Risking their life to cast a ballot! Those voters honor the sacrifice of every soldier that died or was maimed defending that right. Words cannot express the gratitude and respect I have for each and every one of them!

[onetexan]

13. +1 K&R - come the General election we should all turn out in great numbers like the WI voters

and get the country back to normalcy.

[Nacht Owl]

12. Awww

Po' wittle Republicans are nervous? Truly heartbreaking!