There's a good story in today's Times, which has dug up some very good news for Democrats in Indiana:
... this year Mrs. Morgan exemplifies a different breed: the Republican crossing over to vote in the Democratic primary. Not only will she mark her ballot for Senator Barack Obama in the May 6 primary here, but she has also been canvassing for him in the heavily Republican suburbs of Hamilton County, just north of Indianapolis — the first time she has ever actively campaigned for a candidate.
http://www.nytimes.com/...
The article dives into the fairly predictable expectations of why:
“I used to like John McCain, but he’s aligning himself too closely with what Bush did, and that’s just not what I want for this country,” Mrs. Morgan, who is 56, said when asked to explain her rejection of the presumptive Republican nominee.
but also brings up the possibility of malicious inent:
Clouding the picture, however, is a campaign by Rush Limbaugh, the radio talk show host, urging his listeners to cast their ballots for Mrs. Clinton “if they can stomach it,” in order to prolong the Democratic race and weaken the eventual winner.
But fear not, according to the article, this does not seem to account for the primary motivation behind the crossovers, and they find many (at least 4 here) voters in Indiana, with logical and reasonable assessments for why they are voting Democratic this year: (out of touch with the middle-class, squandering money on Iraq, and the economy in general) . They even found someone who likes Hillary over McCain for the economy too.
And while the state's party chair was interviewed for the article and did his best to minimize the phenomenon, he was forced to admit a “heightened interest” by Republicans in this year's Democratic contests.
But whatever conclusion one may draw from this, you'll just love the gem the article closes with, from 70-year-old Becky Kapsalis of Carmel:
“I respect McCain for what he’s done, his patriotism and devotion,” Ms. Kapsalis said, “but I just don’t think he has the heart to lead us, and he doesn’t speak to my heart the way this Barack Obama man does."
Just wanted to share a positive note on a rainy Saturday. Anecdotal evidence, yes- but cheering news at the end of a long, hard week, which may help us through the many more ahead.