I know this seems obvious. Many of us here are politically connected and may assume everyone is aware that we have a primary tomorrow and what the stakes are. But in my travels today in Boston, I had a variety of appointments and interactions with a large number of people and the majority are NOT AWARE that there is a primary tomorrow. I have felt that the media has not discussed it as much as necessary as well. I counted random interactions with approximately 15 people (neighbors, people on bus, taxi drivers, people in PT office etc varying walks of life) and not one was planning on voting tomorrow!
So I swallowed my fear that I am telling people what they already know and put it out on email and Facebook why to vote, and why it's important. I think in MA Democrats that are somewhat less political may not vote in primaries-especially for non-executive roles-because they think the candidates will vote in the legistlature largely the same, anyway. I've heard that as a rationalization not to show up.
This year, it matters more on the Democratic side. Lynch is a social conservative. His vote history and rating suggest that he is not always a reliable vote. He is largely antiChoice and in the next few years that may come to matter in the Senate. I think he is a good man, but I can't trust him to vote the way the average Democrat in MA would want him to vote. The other issue is that he may have trouble beating the Republican. We already will have difficulty because these low turnout special elections favor them as it is, and voters seem particularly tired and disinterested now. Lynch against the "generic Republican" might not stimulate much enthusiastic Dem turnout. I would hate to have another 'Scott Brown" type debacle. I saw that Coakley was going to loose 5 weeks before the election when they started talking about it being "hers for the taking" on the news. I dont' want a Republican slipping in because of voter turnout and Dems not being able to muster enthusiasm to even show up to vote
I am sorry if this isn't that well written. I have surprise work tonight and don't have internet access and this feels timely and important. The below is a comment I wrote on someone else's diary about this election:
This is the fourth? time in a few yrs we are voting for Senate and I am afraid that many voters are annoyed and exhausted by that fact and will not vote
Indeed, they said on NPR that absentee ballots are running 20% less than even the low turnout special election last time (special elections usually having low turnout as it is, they say)
It's said that low turnout favors Republicans. I wonder if low turnout plus the lockstep UNION support in some places Lynch has will put him over the top.
I don't want Lynch as my Senator....
...I am concerned that low turnout will favor a more concervative Dem over a liberal Dem, but not sure if it works that way too (in addition to favoring Reps over Dems).
I am talking to people of all walks of life IN BOSTON today and NO ONE KNOWS tomorrow we vote, hardly. I have not met anyone who was planning to vote. The media isn't making this a big enough deal
This isn't a usual choice.... Please explain to your friends and family, post on social media etc, why it's important Markey goes against whoever is the Republican in the general. SOme don't even get that The Senate Has Changed and NO moderate Repubilcan is of much use anymore...they are forced to vote with their party. IT's important to defeat them and Markey can not Lynch.
I just put that out on Facebook.