General Discussion

Bluenorthwest

(45,319 posts)

42. I think it's mostly about ease of participation. 2014 we had 70% turnout, which was low for us.

Wed Nov 4, 2015, 11:06 AM

Nov 2015

It's the same country, same Party. 36% vs 70%. We vote by mail, it's very easy and registration is easier. Two weeks with the ballot, no polling place lines, no machines, no ID checks, the ability to research while voting. And so people vote much more than they do in some other States.
And we are not even #1 in turnout, some States do even better, habitually. Minnesota. They vote. Some States have same day registration and that helps turnout greatly.

So maybe it is not some existential disgust at the system and it's just that the lines are too long. We have 4 out of 5 House Members Democratic, two Senators, legal cannabis, equal protection for LGBT in housing and employment, the least restrictive abortion laws in the country, an ERA in our constitution and a bisexual woman for Governor.

Where do you live again?

Edit history

Please sign in to view edit histories.

Recommendations

0 members have recommended this reply (displayed in chronological order):

199 replies

= new reply since forum marked as read

Highlight:

Another General Election cycle, another Democratic Party loss. [View all] maxrandb Nov 2015 OP

Agreed. The Democratic Party needs to get its act together. yardwork Nov 2015 #1

Looks like the "We are not quite as bad as Republicans" strategy... bvar22 Nov 2015 #90

Good point, but I think it's even worse than that Populist_Prole Nov 2015 #95

Wage disparity. The Democratic Party does not offer a rrealistic solution to that problem. JDPriestly Nov 2015 #124

They do offer realistic solutions but then they allow the GOP to frame the issue dishonestly. kelliekat44 Nov 2015 #189

I agree DWS needs to go, but the KY result like many others Stevepol Nov 2015 #122

I'm worried about the vote counting, too. yardwork Nov 2015 #128

Yes. Why? Enthusiast Nov 2015 #136

Because they don't really care about winning? BuelahWitch Nov 2015 #183

Believe me, I have considered that possibility. Enthusiast Nov 2015 #185

Why doesn't the Democratic Party hack into the machines and flip 'em over to Democratic votes? NBachers Nov 2015 #153

The grass-roots Democrats need to get our act together and stand up against the rhett o rick Nov 2015 #163

As far as I can tell, all of our local Dem candidates lost. Erich Bloodaxe BSN Nov 2015 #2

Some days I often think the DNC is a code name for the RNC!!! n/t RKP5637 Nov 2015 #102

Or the Do Nothing Committee. KamaAina Nov 2015 #132

There's plenty of cash. hifiguy Nov 2015 #108

You mean HRC, right? KamaAina Nov 2015 #133

"Vell, IT AIN'T hifiguy Nov 2015 #134

I took that to mean Thespian2 Nov 2015 #143

Rs won big in my town. bigwillq Nov 2015 #3

Not all bad Freddie Nov 2015 #4

Maine Clean Elections referendum question passed Zing Zing Zingbah Nov 2015 #9

Florida passed a referendum in 2010 to end gerrymandering. So far, nothing has changed. Lochloosa Nov 2015 #12

One of the problems (in Florida as well as other states) 1939 Nov 2015 #41

There were two measures on the ballot. Both past. Lochloosa Nov 2015 #44

That is the problem 1939 Nov 2015 #68

Same With Michigan NonMetro Nov 2015 #57

My district was blue when I first moved here..... llmart Nov 2015 #135

Those were nice consolations, however... BlueDemKev Nov 2015 #152

Maybe we should be even more preachy and condescending to rural conservative voters Recursion Nov 2015 #5

Maybe we should give the voters a real choice..... daleanime Nov 2015 #22

An excellent suggestion Doubledee Nov 2015 #81

Like I have said before. WHEN CRABS ROAR Nov 2015 #110

The why is obvious Doubledee Nov 2015 #193

PLUS ONE, a huge bunch! Enthusiast Nov 2015 #137

Are you suggesting that being condescending to them as individuals while insulting their culture Nuclear Unicorn Nov 2015 #25

I know, you're right Recursion Nov 2015 #26

"Clearly they just need to be preached at until they realize what their interests actually are." Nuclear Unicorn Nov 2015 #32

The repugs play chess while we play checkers... luvspeas Nov 2015 #6

Elections are run by the States. My State has zero 'voting machines' but yours does. Bluenorthwest Nov 2015 #40

Probably because your 7 little electoral votes don't matter as much as the top 6 electoral vote luvspeas Nov 2015 #66

Part of the problem is that we have great depths of support, but no breadth. Zynx Nov 2015 #7

What do you want the DNC to do? Assassinate right-wing billionaires? Hortensis Nov 2015 #8

There's a concept called The 50 State Strategy KeepItReal Nov 2015 #10

Ah, snap! If only... We would never have had Fox, never had the Kochs Hortensis Nov 2015 #13

Nope. The 50 state strategy is still in effect Recursion Nov 2015 #28

IDK, having one web page saying that you have a 50 state strategy doesn't mean you actually do n/t That Guy 888 Nov 2015 #48

But, they actually do it. Do you know what it is? Recursion Nov 2015 #52

Dean's 50 state strategy was very visible That Guy 888 Nov 2015 #56

You mean the webpage isn't as good? I agree; Dean had a much better web team Recursion Nov 2015 #146

No, I mean Dean made more of a visible effort to recruit new volunteers. That Guy 888 Nov 2015 #147

That's a great thing, but doesn't particularly relate to the 50 state strategy Recursion Nov 2015 #149

I hear "50 State Strategy", but see n-o-t-h-i-n-g That Guy 888 Nov 2015 #156

There's not a "new" or "old" 50 state strategy. It's the same thing. Recursion Nov 2015 #161

The 50 State Strategy of Howard Dean was ended in 2010 do we at least agree on that? That Guy 888 Nov 2015 #165

I don't remotely agree Recursion Nov 2015 #166

Provide links to prove you're right That Guy 888 Nov 2015 #167

Done Recursion Nov 2015 #168

Circular argumant That Guy 888 Nov 2015 #169

I linked you the book Recursion Nov 2015 #170

New York Times is not a blog That Guy 888 Nov 2015 #172

No, it did not end Recursion Nov 2015 #173

Where - Are - Your - Links? That Guy 888 Nov 2015 #174

Volunteers mean a great deal in my state Admiral Loinpresser Nov 2015 #160

What specifically are you saying has changed? (nt) Recursion Nov 2015 #162

Was your statement incorrect? That Guy 888 Nov 2015 #175

I still don't understand your question Recursion Nov 2015 #176

It's very clear That Guy 888 Nov 2015 #177

You mean other than the official statement on the party's website? Recursion Nov 2015 #178

I'm curious, why can't you just give a straight answer? That Guy 888 Nov 2015 #179

Because your question makes no sense Recursion Nov 2015 #180

You're the one making claims with no proof That Guy 888 Nov 2015 #181

Look, you clearly have your own definition of it Recursion Nov 2015 #182

So in other words, you don't have any proof. That Guy 888 Nov 2015 #184

When Dean was chair Admiral Loinpresser Nov 2015 #186

And your claim is that that has stopped? (nt) Recursion Nov 2015 #187

Yes. Admiral Loinpresser Nov 2015 #188

Thank you. That's the kind of concrete example I've been asking for. Recursion Nov 2015 #191

You're welcome. I admire your persistence. Admiral Loinpresser Nov 2015 #192

Well, all I can say is that I sympathize Recursion Nov 2015 #194

Whoops! Admiral Loinpresser Nov 2015 #195

No worries Recursion Nov 2015 #196

You just can't tell some folks. They Know It All. MADem Nov 2015 #55

Problem with 50 state strategy lancer78 Nov 2015 #53

Sorry, but that's my point maxrandb Nov 2015 #11

Well I certainly agree with your example of how it works. And that is a Hortensis Nov 2015 #19

Most Democratic voters are not motivated by hatred. jeff47 Nov 2015 #69

Just who is supposed to give you a reason to vote. upaloopa Nov 2015 #129

You left out two words: ...reason to vote _for them_. jeff47 Nov 2015 #141

In that case... BlueDemKev Nov 2015 #157

Lol jeff47 Nov 2015 #159

Do you actually believe... BlueDemKev Nov 2015 #198

When Democrats provide not much more than a speed bump jeff47 Nov 2015 #199

I agree 100% BlueDemKev Nov 2015 #154

Or, crazier still... Mister Ed Nov 2015 #14

It's still in effect Recursion Nov 2015 #29

That's good to know. Are they still working the program the way they did before? Mister Ed Nov 2015 #109

Money is still flowing to the hinterland. That's the problem as well as the plan. Recursion Nov 2015 #171

Thanks n/t Mister Ed Nov 2015 #197

This is my fear FrostyAusty Nov 2015 #15

Whereas they attack Bernie on his socialism (issue-based); with Hillary its personal vilification. JudyM Nov 2015 #30

Thank you! FrostyAusty Nov 2015 #62

+1! Enthusiast Nov 2015 #139

Oh I think Hillary PatSeg Nov 2015 #121

Agreed FrostyAusty Nov 2015 #131

A lot of people PatSeg Nov 2015 #151

Welcome to DU, FrostyAusty mascarax Nov 2015 #190

Yep. Start with DWS,she's useless. Bring back Howard Dean! sufrommich Nov 2015 #16

She has to go PatSeg Nov 2015 #119

What's the % Voter Turnout? Martin Eden Nov 2015 #17

I think it's mostly about ease of participation. 2014 we had 70% turnout, which was low for us. Bluenorthwest Nov 2015 #42

That's definitely part of it. Martin Eden Nov 2015 #45

Great post Martin angrychair Nov 2015 #49

Thanks a-c Martin Eden Nov 2015 #96

Some of this is because of the DNC and other factors but I think in some cases ..... Botany Nov 2015 #18

Polls are a gage, but polls can never ensure turn out yeoman6987 Nov 2015 #61

But there is too much apathy PumpkinAle Nov 2015 #20

It's not the fault of the DNC. I'm 67 and have seen this country go from post-WWII glory to sinkingfeeling Nov 2015 #21

There was a guy on the Fark live thread for Kentucky sufrommich Nov 2015 #24

I'm sure your plan of hurling insults will increase turnout any time now. jeff47 Nov 2015 #70

Well said, and being 73, I too have traveled from those days of protest to what we have now, apathy! dmosh42 Nov 2015 #75

And their deliberate big fix to have Hillary elected is the worst of all. DrBulldog Nov 2015 #23

Yep n/t SmittynMo Nov 2015 #50

No worries! Hillary's gal Debbie, combined with Hill's MASSIVE favor-ability ratings and her Indepatriot Nov 2015 #27

In Colorado, conservative school board members were recalled, and it was the media mountain grammy Nov 2015 #31

This is disgusting to say the least................................... turbinetree Nov 2015 #33

After 12 years of repug rule the Democrats have taken control of our town... Bonhomme Richard Nov 2015 #34

Like I have said before. WHEN CRABS ROAR Nov 2015 #112

This may sound too easy and smug, but rtracey Nov 2015 #35

you forgot Off Year. Another Non-presidential election year, another loss. librechik Nov 2015 #36

We live in the most reality Wall St will allow. raouldukelives Nov 2015 #37

Oh, spare me the crocodile tears over Kentucky, where an anti-gay Fundie on the Democratic Fred Sanders Nov 2015 #38

The radical left sits it out yet again. eom MohRokTah Nov 2015 #39

The 'radical left' in Kentucky? Home of Kim Davis Democrats? Bluenorthwest Nov 2015 #47

I'm sure your attacks on them will get them to the polls next time!! (nt) jeff47 Nov 2015 #72

Yes, I saw the "Left" sleeping it off in a de-commissioned phone booth outside Ocala. Eleanors38 Nov 2015 #100

I'm sure you will see that again with Hillary's election. L0oniX Nov 2015 #106

If you need the "radical left" to win, you have a strange way to show it. SolutionisSolidarity Nov 2015 #126

I love this MFrohike Nov 2015 #150

DWS will run for Florida Gov on 2018 NYCButterfinger Nov 2015 #43

DWS believes that The Party, especially some members of The Party..... bvar22 Nov 2015 #94

So the Republican primary there will pretty much decide the winner madville Nov 2015 #140

I share your pain. : ( MBS Nov 2015 #46

"Beyond Dystopian Visions in the Age of Neoliberal Authoritarianism" fredamae Nov 2015 #51

The first thing I thought when I looked at the election results was that we truly live in a... ChisolmTrailDem Nov 2015 #63

I had a similar thoughts and fredamae Nov 2015 #64

Yes, the OP. I was trying to formulate the words in my head to possibly post myself but... ChisolmTrailDem Nov 2015 #71

Fear and despair are common driving political tools these days fredamae Nov 2015 #77

It is really, truly exhausting. And everything else you said. I want to run as fast as I can away ChisolmTrailDem Nov 2015 #85

Sometimes "Shutting Everything Off" for fredamae Nov 2015 #87

Some good electiopn news :) fredamae Nov 2015 #92

DWS has to be expelled from the DNC. Immediately. DinahMoeHum Nov 2015 #54

Yes there are losers every week on Dancing With the Stars... luvspeas Nov 2015 #82

ttt Blue_Tires Nov 2015 #58

Let's just be frank c-ville rook Nov 2015 #59

You are correct moose65 Nov 2015 #148

I live in Florida. As far as I am concerned, a ringing endorsement from Debbie DINO usually means djean111 Nov 2015 #60

DINO! luvspeas Nov 2015 #80

We won in New Jersey and when it's time to elect a governor again Walk away Nov 2015 #65

If a corporate Democrat is elected governor in New Jersey you will be electing... stillwaiting Nov 2015 #76

If the Democratic party starts running Socialists in New Jersey.... Walk away Nov 2015 #88

And what can be done RandySF Nov 2015 #67

He is not taking away everybody's health care, just poor people's. totodeinhere Nov 2015 #83

Democrats Lost Power 25 Years Ago For Several Reasons: NonMetro Nov 2015 #73

Reagan Democrats n/t fredamae Nov 2015 #84

Yup, and now they're called "New" Democrats or "Progressives", Even Though They're Not. NonMetro Nov 2015 #86

Yep-And anyone who wants to know fredamae Nov 2015 #89

...this is one of the reasons why I don't trust the Clintons. They are good friends with DWS... Liberal_Stalwart71 Nov 2015 #74

What does Dancing With the Stars have to do with this? luvspeas Nov 2015 #78

Debbie Wasserman Schultz, Chair of the DNC. Hopefully you were just teasing me. Liberal_Stalwart71 Nov 2015 #79

For years the Dem's have tried to be "Not as bad as the other guy". harun Nov 2015 #91

I've voted for the lesser for too 840high Nov 2015 #93

Running to represent such voters means you have to run on representing them Babel_17 Nov 2015 #97

Disgusted stevieme Nov 2015 #98

the rightward turn 1988-94 was always framed as a way to guarantee a money stream MisterP Nov 2015 #99

DWS...Worthless. SoapBox Nov 2015 #101

The Dem Powers that Be (WERE) couldn't STAND Howard Dean, elleng Nov 2015 #103

So, I gather that the kentucky ballots had you both casting a vote for governor and others drray23 Nov 2015 #104

Where was the millennial Bernie revolutionary army? workinclasszero Nov 2015 #105

The first person to blame is the utterly useless and hifiguy Nov 2015 #107

of course DonCoquixote Nov 2015 #111

"Jobbers" hifiguy Nov 2015 #113

"piece of human sewage" joshcryer Nov 2015 #114

She refuses to campaign against or even endorse hifiguy Nov 2015 #115

This blame game is precious. joshcryer Nov 2015 #116

The person at the wheel of the ship hifiguy Nov 2015 #118

This culture of cynicism is the problem. joshcryer Nov 2015 #120

She is a shrieking incompetent hifiguy Nov 2015 #123

Yeah right, Dean's blue dog strategy... joshcryer Nov 2015 #125

The GOP is on a war path Truprogressive85 Nov 2015 #117

Bad things happen when Democratic voters do not vote. guillaumeb Nov 2015 #127

Hear, hear. SpankMe Nov 2015 #130

Perhaps we should run on those issues instead of running from them jeff47 Nov 2015 #142

I guess Pennsylvania, the sixth most populous state in the Union, doesn't count? blue neen Nov 2015 #138

I've resigned myself Madmiddle Nov 2015 #144

Hillary brings trickle-down economics back into vogue - everything old (and conservative) is new! whereisjustice Nov 2015 #145

Dem mayor won in my city. And she is a woman Tipperary Nov 2015 #155

Local Politics houston16revival Nov 2015 #158

DNC dinos would rather lose than support progressives. leveymg Nov 2015 #164