[AzSteven]

I don't know what CA's rules are for non-Dems voting in the primary. I think CA has a larger number of lefty 3rd-party registrants (as a percentage) than most other states, so these folks would not be able to vote in the primary but would certainly vote against Bush in the general. Add in the usual boatload of Libertarians, Constitutional Party and other 'protest vote' voters, and I fear GW will have difficulty winning CA.

He might pull it off, but I am not optimistic (though I actually am pretty optimistic that he will win reelection, probably with 40 states and more than 51% of the popular vote).

[DM1]

"He might pull it off, but I am not optimistic (though I actually am pretty optimistic that he will win reelection, probably with 40 states and more than 51% of the popular vote).
"
God I hope that you are right. Just curious but what brought you to this conclusion? I am getting jittery and would like reassurance

[heleny]

I don't know what CA's rules are for non-Dems voting in the primary. I think CA has a larger number of lefty 3rd-party registrants (as a percentage) than most other states, so these folks would not be able to vote in the primary but would certainly vote against Bush in the general.

Voters registered with no party ("Declined-to-State") may request a version of the primary ballot of a party that allows it. The nonpartisan voting Republican ballot did not allow me to vote for Bush. But, if I had requested a nonpartisan voting Democrat ballot, I could have voted for their candidates for President because the Democrat party chose to allow DTS voters to help select their presidential candidate.

As of September 30, 2003, registration by political party was as follows in California:

43.6% Democrat
35.3% Republican
 5.0% Other
16.1% Declined to State

[Blue Collar Christian]

Actually, for the primary, indy voters here in CA have to check a box at the top of the ballot, Republican or Democrat, before they vote for candidates, so you can bet that alot of the green weinies etc voted for the dem of their choice.