State Sees Surprising Number Of New Democrats

TheNewMexicoChannel.com ^ | 12/30/2003 | TNMC

[InShanghai]

Party Officials Register Biggest Number Of Democrats Ever

The deadline has come and gone -- if you haven't yet registered as a Democrat, you won't be voting as one in the state's presidential caucus.

Most political eyes will be on New Mexico in early February, when the state holds its Democratic presidential caucus. Tuesday was the deadline to register to vote.

In Bernalillo County, 620 people signed up in November.

This month, 900 registered to vote Democratic.

The deadline to register as a Democrat in New Mexico ran out at 5 p.m. Tuesday, and party officials say they're feeling lucky.

They've registered the largest number of Democrats ever.

"I've been a Republican all my life, but I am so disgusted with George Bush and the Republican Party that I need to do something about it," said voter Bill Reuler.

So he's now a Democrat, and so are more than 1,000 others across Bernalillo County.

"There are a lot of people calling in to change (parties) but the number of calls from Republicans who want to register as Democrats is somewhat surprising," said Brian Monaghan, New Mexico Democratic Party Executive Director.

Democrats in New Mexico will go the ballot boxes before those in most other states. The caucus here is Feb. 3, which puts New Mexicans on the candidates' radar screens.

Judging by the excitement and the number of calls coming into these headquarters, Democrats are predicting their most interesting and successful caucus yet, though they haven't forgotten the popular Republican their candidate must face.

The Bernalillo County Clerk's Office says most of the people who registered as Democrats were formerly members of the Green Party. Again, all registered Democrats can vote in the caucus Feb. 3.

If you are a registered Democrat, you can vote absentee.

The ballot has seven of the nine nationally known candidates listed, plus another candidate. It also has a write-in section.

To get an absentee ballot, request one by fax at (505) 232-0784. All absentee ballots must be postmarked by Jan. 26.

[InShanghai]

Unfortunately, New Mexico is primarily a Dem's state. All of the artsy-fartsy Santa Fe weirdos get that "chewing on tinfoil" look when I tell them I'm a republican... I never realized how biased the news in NM was until I left.

This was listed on the article however I didn't add it above: POSTED: 8:42 PM MST December 30, 2003 UPDATED: 8:57 PM MST December 30, 2003

I wonder if they keep track of the "updates"?

Happy 2004!

[Piquaboy]

I wonder how many of them are illegal immigrants?

[07055]

"There are a lot of people calling in to change (parties) but the number of calls from Republicans who want to register as Democrats is somewhat surprising," said Brian Monaghan, New Mexico Democratic Party Executive Director.

"Its especially surprising how many FReepers are registering as Democrats so they can vote for Al Sharpton."

[msuMD]

Another senario could be many republicans are registering as a democrat so they can vote in primaries. Bush is the candidate for the republicans, no need to vote for him. I am registering as a democrat here in michigan so I can vote for Dean.

[fml]

Yuck, changing to democrat is like taking a shower and putting on the same underwear. Just plain dirty.

[InShanghai]

Dean's the guy to beat eh? :-)

[Tijeras_Slim]

I never realized how biased the news in NM was until I left.

Nothing's changed.

[Dont Mention the War]

The Bernalillo County Clerk's Office says most of the people who registered as Democrats were formerly members of the Green Party.

Note that this fact, arguably the most important point in the entire story, is near the bottom of the article, well below the GOP-bashing lines.

[I still care]

From what I understand the Dean machine kids are working hard at getting out the vote. That is why Dean is being so successful at getting the other candidates out of his way. Part of this may be the result of that.

Ahh, Revolutionary dreams. I guess they think if they work hard enough, they can tear this country down into a European style socialist/communist style state of inadequacy.

Remember, the first thing the socialists take is first amendment rights. Just think of Canadian radio and campaign finance reform, and the enforced political correctness on college campuses, to understand how fast the left will pull our rights. Dean has already said a first priority will be shutting down talk radio.

We must be vigilant.

[msuMD]

Yeah, I think so. Sharpton would be the best case scenario, but it ain't gonna happen. Dean energizes the democratic base, but not much more. The republicans despise him and independents don't trust him. I think he is the most beatable candidate.

[Mannaggia l'America]

I've been a Republican all my life, but I am so disgusted with George Bush and the Republican Party that I need to do something about it," said voter Bill Reuler.

Did the reporter see any proof of this? It's a common DemocRAT seminar tactic - just listen to C-SPAN callers on the Republican line. Over and over - "I've been a Republican all my life, but....blah blah blah".

"There are a lot of people calling in to change (parties) but the number of calls from Republicans who want to register as Democrats is somewhat surprising," said Brian Monaghan, New Mexico Democratic Party Executive Director.

Well, there's a unbiased source. Of course, the reporter just takes a DemocRAT's word as gospel.

[randog]

All of the artsy-fartsy Santa Fe weirdos...

We call them 'art fags' where I come from.

[org.whodat]

I wonder how many of them are illegal immigrants?

I wonder how many of them are dead?

[Beck_isright]

Unfortunately, the DNC has gotten so brazen along the border, I'm suprised they are not handing out Voter's Registration cards at the fence as the illegals sneak in.

[sergeantdave]

Voting for Dean? I thought everyone in Michigan was voting for Big Al. Is anyone coordinating this?

[pgkdan]

"I've been a Republican all my life, but I am so disgusted with George Bush and the Republican Party that I need to do something about it," said voter Bill Reuler. So he's now a Democrat...

I don't buy it. The only thing to be upset with Bush about is that he's bought into alot of the Dem's social agenda...that's certainly no reason to jump to the 'Rats.

"There are a lot of people calling in to change (parties) but the number of calls from Republicans who want to register as Democrats is somewhat surprising," said Brian Monaghan, New Mexico Democratic Party Executive Director.

Simple reason...no Republican primary so why not register dem and vote for Dr. Dean in the the primary?

[PokeyJoe]

I know a few people who signed up as Democrats to vote for Al Sharpton. =)

Go Big Al!

[07055]

Did the reporter see any proof of this? It's a common DemocRAT seminar tactic - just listen to C-SPAN callers on the Republican line. Over and over - "I've been a Republican all my life, but....blah blah blah".

Reminds me of one of the RAT candidates: "I was a strong Christian all my life but, after a dispute with my church about a bike path, I decided to become a Satanist..."

[Gunder]

"I've been a Republican all my life, but I am so disgusted with George Bush and the Republican Party that I need to do something about it," said voter Bill Reuler.

Gee, Mr. Reuler, you're so disgusted with George W. Bush that you'd rather see Dr. Dean in the White House? Yeah, there's a plan.

[07055]

According to this page, he is a member of Congregation Albert, a reform Jewish congregation in Albuquerque.

http://www.congregationalbert.org/archives/2000-06/circles.htm

So, let's see. He was a lifelong Jewish Republican but became a Democrat because Bush was just too mean to those Arabs? He longed for those days whan Arafat was the most common foreign White House visitor.