Question for Massachusetts residents--

[Lydia Leftcoast]

Are Coakley and Brown the only options on your ballot?

Is there a space for write-ins?

Are spoiled ballots counted? Would it make the news if a large percentage of ballots were spoiled, such as both candidates' names being crossed out?

I wish that even angry Democrats would show up and express their displeasure in a way that is COUNTED, because you know full well that a win by Brown will be touted as "Massachusetts turning red." In addition, the DLC will say, "See, Coakley was too liberal."

My opinion as an outsider is that you need to go to the polls anyway and make your displeasure known.

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

1. Are you really advocating for this after what happened in your own state?

That kind of asinine concept nearly got us 6 more years of Senator Coleman.

[Mass]

2. And 8 years of George W Bush.

[Lydia Leftcoast]

3. It wasn't Dems staying home that put Coleman over the top in 2002

It was absentee ballots not being counted (my mother and stepfather's votes were negated by this ruling) and Independents being swayed by the manufactured outrage over the Wellstone memorial service.

Third party votes were a negligible factor.

In 2008, there was little defection among the Dems, even though there was a strong progressive challenger for the nomination.

The problem was that for the average naive voter, Coleman had done nothing obviously scandalous, so he had the incumbent's advantage.

The Dems really hated him, though, so that's why they voted overwhelmingly for Franken, even if they weren't enthusiastic about him.

There was no significant third party challenge in that race.

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

5. No, I mean in 2008, with Franken and the recount debacle.

With names being scratched out partially causing havoc.

[Lydia Leftcoast]

6. A small factor

It was mostly the incumbency advantage for Coleman.

Only knowledgeable Dems actually hated him enough to seek an alternative.

Coleman was strong in the rural areas, which he made an effort to cultivate.

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

7. The point is that the vote was close enough that the stunts you're talking about pulling could've...

changed the outcome!

[Lydia Leftcoast]

8. Well, if the Dems want loyalty from Dem voters, then the DLC types

shouldn't try to co-opt or eliminate left-leaning candidates.

This didn't happen in Minnesota (except in the case of Amy Klobuchar, whose supporters were utterly obnoxious to supporters of other candidates in the primary), but it has happened in other areas.

Just for the record, I voted for both Klobuchar and Franken, although in the case of Klobuchar I practically had to force my hand to make the mark.

[Blaukraut]

4. Do you really want Brown to gain national creds?

Because that is what will happen if he wins. It goes way beyond letting our displeasure known. First off, I do not want my state represented by a teabagger, and second; yes, as John From Lowell over at BlueMassGroup has pointed out:

In 2012, Scott Brown will be ready for his close-up. (0.00 / 0)

Many, including me, think Brown would be a lame duck as soon as he swears in. WRONG! If we give away this seat to Brown, he will become the "Massachusetts Miracle" for the right. Sarah will have a Prom King!

That means NH will be blasted with visits from his miraculousness(h/t JimC). It also means his political capital will vault past many of his peers. (Al Franken will be pissed)

Come 2012, Brown will be supported up to his dreamy eyes, with a fat warchest and a kingmaker ego. One can only assume Mitt will cash in on his investment.

[chelsea0011]

9. No, John Kennedy is running as a libertarian.

And I hope he gets 5%

[lukasahero]

10. Joe Kennedy

And every percentage point he gets could come at a very high cost.

[chelsea0011]

11. thanks for the correction and I agree he could matter greatly in this election

[lukasahero]

12. I only remember this because I love the "real" Joe Kennedy so much

:loveya:

I'm pretty sure his party affiliation has to be listed on the ballot and that the Kennedy's have insisted on the "no relation to..." disclaimer on all news reports so hopefully people will be well-informed that he is not who he wants them to think he is...

[Arkana]

13. The DLC won't say shit because for all intents and purposes the organization

doesn't exist any more.

And I don't think the party will move to the right. I think they'll learn not to sit on big leads.

[Lydia Leftcoast]

14. By the way, my question was not for people who would vote for Coakley anyway

It was for people who were determined to stay home.