Democrats Winning Turnout Race
The electability issue is lurking behind both parties’ presidential nominating contests but in terms of sheer numbers, Democratic voters have consistently displayed more enthusiasm than Republicans since the January 3 Iowa caucuses. Tuesday’s “Potomac Primaries” were no exception, with large crowds of supporters turning out for Sen. Barack Obama (D-IL) and Sen. Hillary Clinton (D-NY) despite inclement weather (CNN). The Republican race, with a presumptive favorite in Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) continued to trail in attendance (Baltimore Sun) on February 12. Obama received more than 180,000 more votes than McCain and Mike Huckabee combined in Virginia, according to the AP.
Democrats have seen high turnout in primaries and caucuses around the country. California, a key Super Tuesday state, saw almost 70 percent of those eligible registering to vote (AP)—a record number. In New Mexico, voter turnout on Super Tuesday was record-breaking (Albuquerque Tribune). Votes – more than 153,000 – are still being recounted to determine the Democratic winner, more than a week later.
The youth vote has been a key factor in high turnout numbers for Democrats. Turnout among Democratic voters under 30 doubled compared with primary participation in 200 4 in some Super Tuesday states, according to the Center for Information & Research on Civic Learning & Engagement. Obama appears to be the main beneficiary of those high numbers. In Tuesday’s Virginia primary, Obama received 76 percent of the youth vote (AP), while in Maryland he got 64 percent, according to exit polls.
Analysts like CFR’s Peter Beinart have attributed increased Democratic turnout to voter disillusionment with the Republican management of the war in Iraq and the economy. High turnout is also likely due to the closeness of the Democratic race. Clinton and Obama have highlighted distinctions between them on Iraq , health care and other issues of importance to voters. Hoping to mobilize their bases, both candidates have tried to set a tone of urgency to the race, emphasizing the high stakes of the choice between them for voters.
