Bush wins straw vote at fair (Michigan, Monroe County)

Monroe News ^ | 08/9/2004

[demlosers]

The informal vote at the Evening News booth was close, however.

BY EVENING NEWS STAFF

Incumbent George W. Bush narrowly beat Democratic challenger Sen. John F. Kerry to remain the leader of the most powerful nation in the world during a neck-and-neck race for presidency of the United States.

That's the way it was at the Monroe County Fair at least.

A completely informal poll at The Evening News booth in the merchant's building showed the president winning his second term over the Massachusetts senator 2,220-2,087.

Fairgoers visiting the booth cast their ballots during the week. President Bush won every day with the exception of Thursday when the senator outvoted him 415-369. In the six days the president won, the widest margin of victory was Saturday when he had 45 more votes than Sen. Kerry. The closest day was Friday when only 18 votes separated the two.

Voters cast their ballots, which showed photographs of both candidates and their running mates. Some fairgoers did more than mark an "X" on the ballot. One drew a heart over the Republicans while another penciled in devil horns and beards on the pictures and calling the Republican candidates evil. Another person left his or her ballot blank and wrote "neither" across the ballot, a sure sign of an independent.

Voters simply marked an "X" on their choice to make it easier to eliminate the possibility of hanging chads.

[cmsgop]

I love straw votes!

[reformedliberal]

Where is Monroe County? What towns? Is this at all indicative of anything real?

[cripplecreek]

Monroe is in the southeast corner of the state. North of Sandusky Ohio.

[stayathomemom]

Monroe County lies south of Detroit and north of Toledo, OH. I don't know what this means politically though.

[RoseofTexas]

" One drew a heart over the Republicans while another penciled in devil horns and beards on the pictures and calling the Republican candidates evil."

One reason WHY I despise the pressWHORES! WHAT about the EVIL RATS?? They just had to take a stab at the pubs!

[cripplecreek]

Toledo, OH.


Thats the one.

[ican'tbelieveit]

Because, despite what that voter thought, by and large, Republicans aren't that shallow about their opponents.

[Dog]

Paging David Boies......Mr.Boies....the white courtesy phone please.

[demlosers]

Where is Monroe County?

See the star on the graphic:

[Dan from Michigan]

This is striking since Monroe is a true swing county which Gore won in 2000.

Where's the Monroe Fair though? The I-75 part of the county is heavily union and democrat(Monroe City north to the Wayne County border) while the US-23 side is more republican.

Also, how many from Toledo(dem) went there, or how many from Washtenaw(D), Downriver(union D), or Lenawee County(Swing) were there?

[MichiganMan]

This might say something about Ohio, given the regional proximity, dunno. But Michigan is not in contest this election. The union vote will suplement Detroit in dragging the rest of the state to Kerry. Wish it weren't so, but them's the demographics right now. :/

[cubreporter]

Narrowly beat STILL means beat! ALMOST WON the game or ALMOST WON the election means you STILL LOST. You know...like Gore and soon ... Kerry/edwards

[no dems]

Monroe, Michigan is in southern Michigan; near Toledo, Ohio. It is also the birthplace of General George Custer.

[reformedliberal]

GOOD! This bodes well for Ohio, then!

[FourPeas]

Even though there's no statistical significance to the poll itself, it still has to provide an interesting dynamic for discussion and thought in the area. A bit of doubt for the dems and joy for the repubs.

[Dan from Michigan]

But Michigan is not in contest this election. The union vote will suplement Detroit in dragging the rest of the state to Kerry. Wish it weren't so, but them's the demographics right now. :/

I disagree. It's not over here.

1. Detroit's dropping in population. So is Downriver, Flint, Saginaw, etc which are the dem strongholds. On the other hand West Michigan and Livingston County are increasing population, as well as Northern Macomb which are Republican.

2. New England dems don't do as well here as Southern/Midwest dems. They aren't populist enough.

3. Also, if the NRA and other gun activists get off their butts and start mentioning Kerry's vote for the .30-30 ban, things can get interesting.

4. Kerry voted for every outsourcing bill there is.(that's got to get out)

Granted it comes down mostly to Detroit turnout, but it's not over here. Kerry isn't as strong as most democrats.

[Fatalist]

The Fair is closer to 75, but is on M-50, which is a straight shot to 23. I'd say there's probably a good mix of people from all over the county that attend.

There were a number of the obligatory "Dingell Country" bags being carried around, but I was surprised at the number of "Bush-Cheney" stickers being worn. I even saw one of the sales people at the RV lot wearing one (which is odd considering it could drive away customers).

[Amish]

here's what the county did in 2000.. fairly close to the statewide percentages...
					Bush George W. REP	Gore Al DEM	Browne Harry LIB	Hagelin John NLP	Phillips Howard UST	Nader Ralph GRN	Buchanan Patrick J. NPA		County Total
		MONROE COUNTY TOTAL for President of the United States			28,940	31,555	184	34	36	996	50		61,795

[sheikdetailfeather]

I grew up in that area and actually attended that fair in the late 60's. There is a statue of Custer near the park there and I remember Clinton/Gore visited there in the last election. CSPAN carried it. The Monroe Evening News is the main newspaper and I believe it is significant that Pres. Bush won the straw poll as it is mainly Democrats in that area.