Paterson: Low Turnout Raised Volume Of Cuomo Dissenters

[hrmjustin]

Nick Reisman

Former Gov. David Paterson, the state Democratic Committee chairman, downplayed the percentage of the vote received by Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s rival in Tuesday’s party primary, blaming it on low turnout that drew critics of the incumbent.

Paterson, in a statement Wednesday afternoon, said the votes received by both Fordham Law School professor Zephyr Teachout and Columbia University professor Tim Wu — both of whom exceeded pundit expectations by clearing 30 percentage points — was due to Cuomo detractors: Mainly disgruntled public employees and teachers as well as anti-hydrofracking advocates.

Paterson said those types of advocacy voters “have the loudest voice” when turnout is low.

http://www.nystateofpolitics.com/2014/09/paterson-low-turnout-raised-volume-of-cuomo-dissenters/

[hrmjustin]

1. Mark-Viverito: Cuomo Had a ‘Pretty Strong Showing’ Last Night

Ross Barkan

Gov. Andrew Cuomo may have allowed a little-known, under-funded candidate to win more than a third of the vote last night, but Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito thinks the governor did just fine.

“I think that’s a pretty strong showing,” Ms. Mark-Viverito told reporters at an unrelated press conference at City Hall. “I’ve stood strongly behind him, strongly behind Hochul. I believe that on behalf of New York City, we’re going to have strong partners in Albany.”



Read more at http://observer.com/2014/09/mark-viverito-cuomo-had-a-pretty-strong-showing-last-night/#ixzz3Cx2sQuq3
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[1StrongBlackMan]

2. Now, I'm pretty certain I will be shouted down for this observation ...

as 3rd-Wayish, or whatnot; but, looking at this race explains, what I suspect is happening on DU.

Paterson said those types of advocacy voters “have the loudest voice” when turnout is low.

This makes, both common and political, sense; but can be really misleading, as to the popularity or weight of a particular political position.

It seems that much of the criticism of Democrats, here, appears to do exactly this ... drive down Democratic leaning voter turn-out, in order to make their voice (appear) larger/louder.

This really isn't a "dumb" strategy in that it could push poll-driven candidates, in the direction of their voice(s), which might, or might not, be a good thing.

[hrmjustin]

3. I think the major problem is the media did not cover the race and Cuomo did not

campaign until last Friday so many were just not paying attention and many just assumed he was going to win big.

By the way I would never callyou a third wayer.

[1StrongBlackMan]

4. That is likely ...

however, that's where it gets misleading ... as the article reflects, the relatively high "progressive" turn-out, was not a function of the popularity of their positions, rather it was the relatively low turn-out of the Democratic base. But that is an observation that will not be met well here.

[hrmjustin]

5. I suspect if she had a few million the race would have been different.