Show of Democratic hands: How many of you will vote for McCain if your candidate loses?
posted at 9:43 am on April 17, 2008 by Allahpundit
It’s not clear whom the hand-raisers are backing in the primary, but we can guess: The sore loser constituency among Her Majesty’s supporters has been consistently robust, with 28% preferring McCain to Obama in a Gallup national poll from early March and 30% in the LA Times poll of North Carolinians taken just a few days ago. It’s not fully clear why her working-class base prefers Maverick to Barry O — experience and character are mentioned here — but McCain’s inevitably going to tack towards the center on economic issues to try to neutralize Obama’s main advantage with them. He’s already started, at least rhetorically.
Exit question one: Won’t this hurt him with Republicans? Nah. Where are they going to go? Exit question two: Why is Limbaugh so invested in Operation Chaos, anyway? Doesn’t he hate McCain? Or is he part of the answer to exit question one? Click the image to watch.
Blowback
Note from Hot Air management: This section is for comments from Hot Air's community of registered readers. Please don't assume that Hot Air management agrees with or otherwise endorses any particular comment just because we let it stand. A reminder: Anyone who fails to comply with our terms of use may lose their posting privilege.
Trackbacks/Pings
Trackback URL
Comments
Look at the negatives in the last Rasmussen poll–
Hillary, 56%
Obama, 51%
McCain, 42%
People–not just Dems–don’t like Obamarry.
jgapinoy on April 17, 2008 at 9:48 AM
And the good ship GOP tacks further to the Center, dragging it’s members along, intent on marginalizing conservatives forever, unless of course they lose in November. Then………
davecatbone on April 17, 2008 at 9:49 AM
They’re bitter.
amerpundit on April 17, 2008 at 9:50 AM
Hillzilla’s negatives are probably the only true constant in the universe.
They never change.
Ares on April 17, 2008 at 9:52 AM
I wonder what portion of McCain’s negatives come from self-described conservatives (apart from Andrew Sullivan, of course).
Dan Collins on April 17, 2008 at 9:54 AM
Wow! That was jaw-dropping. These Dem voters truly don’t know that their candidates are empty suits. To watch their disappointment as they begin to realize it is breathtaking. I don’t think I’ve ever seen anything quite like that from a group of Democrats. Their own voters are disillusioned. Hallelujah.
JiangxiDad on April 17, 2008 at 9:55 AM
Ares, I’ve found Planck’s Constant is pretty constant.
Dan Collins on April 17, 2008 at 9:55 AM
If the Dems had just nominated a more moderate type for president. Say Mark Warner or Evan Bayh they would be a sure thing this year. and would hold all 3 branches of govt.
the best argument to keep conservatives in line is the fact that Obama/Hillary are far left socialist and would have the congress and Senate on their side at same time.
jp on April 17, 2008 at 9:55 AM
Re: Rasmussen unfavorables, today’s numbers are slightly different:
Hillary, 56%
Obama, 50%
McCain, 43%
People still don’t like Obamarry.
jgapinoy on April 17, 2008 at 9:59 AM
Similar impression here.
Spirit of 1776 on April 17, 2008 at 9:59 AM
Obama’s numbers will get worse starting from Sept. to Nov. as the 527′s tear him to shreds.
the main objective now should be to beat him without causing street riots, if possible.
jp on April 17, 2008 at 10:00 AM
I think many will vote for Maverick over Obama but I don’t believe the numbers are as high as being reported now. After the bitterness from the GOP primary there were many, many refusing to vote for McCain not now, or ever. As disappointed passed and people saw more of the opposition, they resolved themselves to picking the lesser of evils. The same mindset will affect Hillary’s people. However, they will have less time to get over the sting of losing.
rhombus on April 17, 2008 at 10:06 AM
A win-win for McCain:
A Hillary nomination will cause millions of hoping for change Dems to sit home crying foul.
Obama butted in the succession line, alienating the feminists who thought it was their time, so a huge chunk of the Dems will sit out a Barry nomination.
Their infighting shows their inability to work things out in an serious, trustworthy manner.
Result:
Lots of Dem sulking this November, whoever gets the nod.
McCain wins.
profitsbeard on April 17, 2008 at 10:06 AM
I think Rush is so invested in Operation Chaos simply to poke the media in the eye. Back when the GOP primaries were still relevant we heard endless stories how he no longer mattered.
Well, that meme sure has changed.
JammieWearingFool on April 17, 2008 at 10:07 AM
Hilary’s supporters who will back McCain aren’t sore losers. They are moderate Democrats–exactly the group of Democrats we hope to win over. The politically correct approach is to praise them for their reasonableness.
thuja on April 17, 2008 at 10:08 AM
Answer to #1: a) Yes, it will hurt him. You actually believe the polls? b) If they do what I plan on doing; leave the president vote blank. If I was in Florida, that would be a vote for Algore….would it not?
Answer to #2: a) Doing the job the RNC and McCain won’t do. b) He despises McCain’s stance on certain issues I think. But you can use “hate” if you want–you’re a lib, you’re allowed to “hate” anything you want. c) McCain is hanging himself with his patronizing words, Rush justs airs them.
TwinkietheKid on April 17, 2008 at 10:09 AM
Though the Hubble Constant isn’t.
Considering that The Obamassiah’s and HRC’s policies are pretty similar, I think sour grapes is about the only reason they’d go for McCain. Unless it’s just a message to the Super Delegates to vote for their candidate, and will in fact vote for the D in November.
rbj on April 17, 2008 at 10:11 AM
For the first time ever, I must say that Limbaugh is off message. He’s focused on defeating both Hillary and Obama and he’s ignoring the reality that McCain is a liberal. If he were being true to his message, that of preaching conservatism, he would be saying we’re all screwed and we need to find a way to make sure we never get saddled with such a RINO like McCain ever again. But he’s made the show about self promotion instead of about the Limbaugh Institute for Advanced Conservative Studies.
I’m very disappointed. I’ve listened to Rush since 1992 and up until now I thought he was a lighthouse. Now I see he’s just a billboard.
fossten on April 17, 2008 at 10:15 AM
Not me. He just hasn’t given me a reason to vote for him. Yes, Senator McCain, that means reaching out to me and addressing my concerns with more than weasel words that you wouldn’t sign a resurrected McCain-Kennedy bill and amnetize 20+ million new democrat voters.
Again, not me. That’s what got us in this mess in the first place.
I R A Darth Aggie on April 17, 2008 at 10:16 AM
My mom and mother-in-law are these kinds of voters. They’ve voted Democrat their whole life. They don’t know anything about politics, or even about this election yet. In the most casual of ways they may hear that neither of the Dems are acceptable this year (they already heard more about the Clintons than they were comfortable knowing). They could easily both vote for McCain this year.
JiangxiDad on April 17, 2008 at 10:16 AM
Actually, the mature approach is to praise them for their reasonableness. Unless you want to spit at the Reagan Democrats and therefore ensure an Obama win in November out of personal spite for McCain.
funky chicken on April 17, 2008 at 10:17 AM
This has got to be the best ticket going right now!!! Watching DEMS go at each other is better than a prize fight. We can all be witness to DEMS once again “snatching defeat from the jaws of victory”. I mean GEEEZ, we even gave them Juan McCain to seal the deal, and they piss it away…
pueblo1032 on April 17, 2008 at 10:18 AM
“pretty” constant, but not totally.
Planck calculated it at 6.55(10-34Js), it gets tweaked from time to time and today it’s stated as 6.626(10-34Js).
G. Charles on April 17, 2008 at 10:20 AM
One of the Democrats said it all when asked why he would consider voting for McCain, “HE’S A VERY LIBERAL REPUBLICAN”.
’nuff said.
stenwin77 on April 17, 2008 at 10:21 AM
Two reasons. Because it gives him a convienant excuse as to why Dems are crushing the Republicans in primary states. Also it makes Limbaugh as if he has any power. McCain is our nominee. That made Rush look real impotent. So he talks up “operation chaos” when he knew damn well from the start that Hillary’s numbers were going to surge in the upcoming primaries.
LevStrauss on April 17, 2008 at 10:22 AM
Six reasons why conservatives need to vote for McCain even if pictures emerge showing him carrying illegals across the Rio Grande on his back:
John Paul Stevens is 88
Antonin Scalia is 72
Anthony Kennedy is 72
David Souter is 69
Ruth Bader Ginsburg is 75
Stephen Breyer is 70
Yesterday’s decision on the three-drug cocktail used in executions shows that the activist court train is slowing down. We need to keep electing Republicans if we are to have any chance at getting it to stop and possibly back up a bit.
Kafir on April 17, 2008 at 10:24 AM
Can’t write today:
…crushing the Republicans in primary states when looking at turnout. Also it makes Limbaugh look as if he has any power.
LevStrauss on April 17, 2008 at 10:25 AM
Kafir on April 17, 2008 at 10:24 AM
Yes what McCain thread would be complete without the “hanging judges over our head” bit. That is why you run conservatives in the general, so you don’t have to try to shame conservatives into voting for RINOs like this. A vote for McCain is a vote for amnesty. If we really care about judges, we should be forcing “Mr. Gang of 14″ to step down. If anyone will give you a Souter, it is McCain. You are ratifying amnesty and liberal judges by voting for McCain. I don’t believe a word that liar says, I can see by his actions. We shouldn’t let the 30% of idiot Republicans that voted for this man in the primaries to screw up America. Fred was in the race for his honeymoon date. Really who runs such a half assed campaign for President? He was perfect to help dilute the votes of people who hate McCain. Fred never ran to win, it looked much more like he ran to lose.
LevStrauss on April 17, 2008 at 10:34 AM
McCain should pick a VP who appeals to Hillary’s voters on image.
ninjapirate on April 17, 2008 at 10:35 AM
I stand behind my belief that it will be Lieberman.
LevStrauss on April 17, 2008 at 10:37 AM
I can’t speak for Rush, obviously, but I suspect that his take on it is similar to my own: I don’t really care who wins at this point, they’re all three utterly worthless and equally much of a disaster, all I care about is watching the Dhimmicrat Party self-destroy.
At least that way I’ll have something to be happy about on November 5th because, other than that, there’s jack sh*t to smile about this year.
Misha I on April 17, 2008 at 10:41 AM
Could see that happening.
JiangxiDad on April 17, 2008 at 10:41 AM
There was a show of hands for who was behind Hillary before the “McCain switch” question. If I remember right, most of the possible McCain defections were Hillary people.
I suspect a bigger discrepancy between Hillary and Obama supporters switching to McCain than the polls indicate, and here’s why.
Some Obama people may say they will switch to McCain because they just can’t stand Hillary, but when it comes down to the general election, I think most of them would break down and vote for Hillary anyway. His support is very liberal and very anti-war, and there’s just no way most of them will vote Republican – no matter how much they hate Hillary.
I suspect the Hillary supporters will defect to McCain in even greater numbers than the polls suggest. They don’t want to seem “racist”, or whatever, by admitting it, but switch they will. In spite of the similar platforms of the two Dems, alot of older voters don’t like Obama because of his young age/lack of experience, his elitism and his unsavory associations.
forest on April 17, 2008 at 10:41 AM
As a self identified democrat, 2 tics right of center, I can only whine, that there is no candidate that I can comfortably vote for at this point. SCOTUS is very important, WOT is very important, addressing the illegal immigration fiasco is very important, the economy is very important, etc. I’ve heard the arguments relative to McCain versus the socialists and what we would have if the socialists gain power and I agree, this would have a devastating effect for generations to come. I give you this promise, that I have no reason for or intention of voting for Obama or Clinton. 7 months to be convinced.
captivated_dem on April 17, 2008 at 10:56 AM
Did you actually believe there was a prayer in Hades that McCain would tack right in this campaign? He’s been courting the center his entire political career, and a shift to the left, for him, is a very short step.
Limbaugh’s aim was to make the Dems expose themselves, and it’s proceeding nicely, particularly in the case of Obama, whose messiah act rests heavily on myth. We’ve always known what Hillary was, and you have to admit it’s tasty irony to see the left use the right’s arguments to smear her, and yet scream foul! when the annointed one is slowly proven to be every bit a fraud as she.
Operation Chaos is about the only bit of satisfaction conservatives will get out of this election. It may be helping McCain, but he’s also demonstrated a talent for shooting himself in the foot, and the worst is yet to come.
Nichevo on April 17, 2008 at 11:02 AM
you realize that in 1988 the Dems had the same turnout numbers and got crushed? its not indicative of anything.
jp on April 17, 2008 at 11:09 AM
Comparing 1988 to now is not valid. In 1988 there was not a competitive primary race for Republicans like there was in the beginning of the primaries this year.
LevStrauss on April 17, 2008 at 11:11 AM
For the dems…trombone in descending notes Waaaaaa, Waaaaaa, Waaaaaaaaaaah
LtE126 on April 17, 2008 at 11:18 AM
Answer—> “Without question the biggest threat facing this country is liberalism”—Rush Limbaugh 4/15/08
It is clear that Rush wants the lessor of 2 liberals
Dollayo on April 17, 2008 at 11:18 AM
Coming from another centrist, I’ll disagree with you on two points:
1) I am comfortable voting for McCain, despite the fact that he’s screwed the pooch on one of my main issues, illegal aliens.
2) I can’t see anything Clinton or Obama (especially Obama) could do to convince me to vote for them in the next 7 months.
That said, I’m as pleased as any hardcore conservative out there to see the Dem party, in it’s current incarnation, imploding. The only logical way to rebuild a sane Democratic party at this juncture is to first destroy it.
SouthernDem on April 17, 2008 at 11:18 AM
Limbaugh is so invested in Operation Chaos because it is fun. It gives him something to do and some more gear to sell (I say this as a 24/7 member and the proud owner of Club Gitmo gear). Since we don’t have a candidate to back the best thing is for the the “Messiah” and “Her Majesty” to bloody one another for as long as possible.
We get to see how unqualified all of the candidates are but especially on the Democratic side. The both of them have done almost nothing that would qualify them for the job and yet we are an election away from giving them the keys to the most powerful office in the world. Quite alarming if you ask me.
I think he does take a little too much credit for the overall effectiveness of the campaign.
woodman on April 17, 2008 at 11:19 AM
Here, or to the house. But if you’re right, we’ll be replaced by McCain-supporting Democrats, which strikes me as wholly appropriate.
paul006 on April 17, 2008 at 11:30 AM
Write-in, AP. Interested in heading the all-blogger ticket? :-)
It’s a matter of degrees of hate. As much as Limbaugh hates McCain, he hates the ‘Rats that much more.
steveegg on April 17, 2008 at 11:31 AM
That would certainly make things interesting, if only to see the reaction from the Leftist fever swamp. Especially if he does it, and the ticket wins.
And it would make history-within an 8 year period, a former Democrat VP nominee becomes the VP nominee for a Republican.
Pass the Jiffy-Pop…
Del Dolemonte on April 17, 2008 at 11:31 AM
H.W. had primary challengers…but lets just post Fredosso’s history he reported which also included 1980.
http://corner.nationalreview.com/post/?q=YjFjNTM4YTM3OWQwZDNjZDFjNDZlOTBlN2NlODA3ZTg=
jp on April 17, 2008 at 11:35 AM
The “7 months to be convinced” is being convinced to vote for McCain, not Obama or Clinton. I admit I wasn’t clear on that last point. The Democratic party doesn’t require any assistance to destroy itself; though it appears they are being helped. McCain may fit into the analogy,”For lack of a nail, the battle was lost.” It’s going to be that close.IMO.
captivated_dem on April 17, 2008 at 11:38 AM
Trick is that McCain needs to piss people like me off, so that Democrats and independents like him. If I tell you I like McCain, I’m not doing my job.
Angry Dumbo on April 17, 2008 at 12:05 PM
Idiots.
2Brave2Bscared on April 17, 2008 at 12:06 PM
Well, there are a bunch of liars!
Warner Todd Huston on April 17, 2008 at 12:13 PM
Obama just wrote his O-bituary.
Buy Danish on April 17, 2008 at 12:18 PM
What I find interesting is that McCains negatives are that high… 42 or 43%??? Wow…
Bush’s approval rating is in the 30′s.
Congress’s in the 20′s…
Obama’s negatives 50…
Hillarys 56???….
People registered independent are now 1/3 of the electorate…
Folks… neither of these 2 parties are doing a good job…
Romeo13 on April 17, 2008 at 12:28 PM
“George Bush is the most dishonest president in a long time.”
I wish that guy read HA because he needs to know that he is a moron. He obviously isn’t smart enough to realize that himself.
peacenprosperity on April 17, 2008 at 12:38 PM
That video was a whole lot of projecting the participants ideals onto the candidates.
29Victor on April 17, 2008 at 12:51 PM
Interesting television, but in the end doesn’t mean a thing.
I remember multiple times in Luntz’s focus groups that Fred Thompson was doing great, everybody liked what he was saying, etc.
I guess that didn’t turn out what actually happened, huh?
asc85 on April 17, 2008 at 12:57 PM
This would expose the fact that you don’t understand the message. In a general election, your choices become A or B, not A-Z or B. Apply some basic logic to this equation and see if that helps.
Jaibones on April 17, 2008 at 1:18 PM
Answer: As I’ve noted on this site before, McCain needs a significant part of the Republican vote to win. This kind of strategy could well be what keeps him out of the White House. He will get more Democratic and Independent votes, but fewer conservative Republican votes, than previous Republican candidates.
If I’m right, the difference will be enough to give us a Democratic president next term.
Yay. (sarc).
cs89 on April 17, 2008 at 1:30 PM
Why Operation Chaos?
1. Keep democrats fighting (and spending) as long as possible.
2. No matter how much the media wishes Rush to go away (or at least to become less influential) he proves them wrong as soon at it leaves their mouths.
3. SOMEONE will be elected president. Even if McCain is less than desirable and untrustworthy as a conservative sees him, he is better than the other two alternatives.
4. Iraq/Iran/WOT McCain should continue to defend the US.
5. McCain is against earmarks and wasteful spending, if he extends tax cuts as he says he will, he should be good on economy. He is most likely candidate to do the least amount of damage to the economy.
6. Judges are an unknown – McCain may pick some judges that turn soft but we know Obama/Hillary will pick the most active bleeding heart judges they can find – and the RINOs will not stop them.
7. With regards to amnesty, McCain just might be influenced as was Congress by the waves of public opinion against amnesty. Far more likely that either Obama or Hillary.
Biggest factor: one of these three will become President in 2008 and which one will do the least damage. Sitting out will gurantee someone else selects the President. I know the liberals/leftists of the Democrat Party know who they will vote for either Obama or Hillary – a democrat victory by either candidate is too important for them. They know McCain is their enemy even if he is not always a conservative’s friend.
jerseyman on April 17, 2008 at 1:41 PM
Why is Limbaugh so invested in Operation Chaos, anyway?
Answer—> “Without question the biggest threat facing this country is liberalism”—Rush Limbaugh 4/15/08
Dollayo on April 17, 2008 at 11:18 AM
jerseyman on April 17, 2008 at 1:48 PM
And then we all go down with the ship. Seems to me that tacking is a whole lot better than sinking.
Forget it conservatives, the country has listed too far to the left to ever go significantly in the other direction.
docdave on April 17, 2008 at 1:54 PM
You mean nasty, stupid and ugly?
I was also amazed by that show of hands…this could mean a replay of the 1968 convnetion riots if either side thinks (knows) their candidate is being sold out.
JIMV on April 17, 2008 at 1:58 PM
But what else can be done at this point anyway?
Sure, we can start making sure a McCain never happens again, but it’s already happened. That can’t be taken back. So what else is there to do but try and defeat the Dems?
I really don’t want President McCain, but I really, really don’t want President Obama or President Clinton (again).
Esthier on April 17, 2008 at 3:41 PM
If Obama loses primary: his supporters riot out of anger
If Obama wins primary: his supporters riot out of joy
If Obama loses general: his supporters riot out anger
If Obama wins general: his supporters riot out of joy and will not stop, confident their messiah being president empowers them as well
Okay, call me cynical, but it looks like fun times are coming ’round the bend!
Grafted on April 17, 2008 at 4:00 PM
Perhaps nearing time to ‘lock and load’. Thank the Lord for the 2nd amendment!!
docdave on April 17, 2008 at 4:08 PM
To all of you social conservatives out there who will stay home on election day in order to send the GOP a message, do you not realize that you are doing to the GOP what the Hillary/Obama fight is doing to the Dems? The election will be won by whichever party is most energized. Right now both parties have large numbers of the party faithful that are disappointed.
The GOP did not appoint John McCain its standard bearer. There was a primary election in which McCain received the most votes. Does that not mean anything to you? Do you not realize that you insult everyone who voted for McCain everytime you threaten to stay home on election day?
Let’s say that you get your way, and enough conservatives stay home on election day to guarantee an Obama/Hillary victory. You will bear some of the blame for the disaster that follows, and I do not want to hear a single one of you complain. You will have lost that right by failing to vote.
Let’s assume again that in 4 years social conservatives manage to win the GOP nomination. Would you expect those who voted for McCain to vote for your guy? Why? You did not support the GOP candidate in this race, so why should other factions in the GOP support the social conservative?
McCain was not my first choice, but he is the GOP nominee. you cannot honestly believe that he is no better than Hillary/Obama.
DCGamer on April 17, 2008 at 4:21 PM
The unpopularity of the Bush administration makes it inevitable that the country will tack left this year – the question is, how far left do you want to go? Towards the center, or all the way to Berserkely?
Follow up question? Is it a good idea to see the country hurt as much as possible so that a “true conservative” will be in a better position to win four years from now?
packsoldier on April 17, 2008 at 11:22 PM