I started this entry as a Quote of the Day entitled "Something very disgusting". It was from hearing a radio interview with a man who called himself a Democrat. He wouldn't vote for any Republican but he was unhappy with Obama. He said, "I think I'll sit this election out." Effectively, he's helping the party he doesn't want elected. It's happened over and over again with Democratic voters, even when in a large majority, staying home on election day and "giving" the election to the Republicans. I've never heard of major no-shows by Republicans.
With Mitt Romney's selection of Rep. Paul Ryan as his running mate, there may be many Republicans who stay home on election day. These would be some of the mainline Republicans who consider the Tea Party as too doctrinaire. These would also be the RINOs who have been unhappy with the Republican move to more uncompromising stances on many issues.
I think the Democrats will "win" the no-show battle thus losing the election to the Republicans.
Why? Because the Republicans have more "true believers" who feel the issues personally. They "don't want our guns taken away", they "want government off our backs", they "know better how to spend our own money", and on and on.
The "true believers" among the Democrats are more empathetic to other people. Their issues are helping the poor, protecting wetlands, reducing emissions, and so on. They might not even experience any of these problems directly. Because many people who lean Democratic don't feel as strongly on these issues, they are more likely to not show up at elections than the "true believers"
In other words, lukewarm Democrats far outnumber lukewarm Republicans, putting Democrats at a disadvantage when voters stay home.
Whatever your political leanings are, don't give elections away. Show up and vote!
