I wonder how all those Somali’s in Lewiston voted?
They must have driven all night in their cabs to get there. I wonder what all the fares will add up to?
Lewiston is actually going heavily for Hillary. Presumably Somali refugees are not registered to vote, as they are not citizens.
This is not the way it works in Maine. This is not a primary where voters duty up their vote. This is more of a one or two day dress rehersal,popular votes you are seeing. Means nothing.
Democrats in 420 Maine cities and towns decide how the state's 24 delegates will be allotted at the (D)party's national convention in August..
GOP race a week earlier also helped the interest in the Maine Republicans nonbinding caucuses, (16, I believe) which were won by Mitt Romney who "suspended" his run and still holds on to the delegates he paid for..
The Republicans do not play this pretend vote. The Republican candidates were also more a no show at the caucus a week or so ago, with family or supporters speaking for them. Collins who spoke for McCain and also said Romney would be a good choice. Paul drove through Maine earlier in that week. Candidates seeking state offices and to federal were the shows. Sen. Collins is running against Tom Allen (D) who was just bought for almost $400 million by MoveOn.org. Hey, MoveOn is the one who says they own the Democrats and from their premise, they must own "Barry" Obama, Jr. too..
All and all the Republican energy is really lacking during this caucus--in fact can be pretty down right boring so not a big turn out for them, while the Democrats go all out and party; and even as a Conservative one gets a change to hear the chosen ones speak with an enthusiastic audience in support. Summary: Republicans do not know how to throw a party to get new people to even show interest, say even come to their political events/caucus.
Also, Obama lost Massachusetts which was Kennedy-Kerry territory. Obama in Maine was preaching the super delegate game. Clinton was having no part of it.
Clinton packed the Lewiston Memorial Auditorium which is Bates College territory. Obama was at the University of Maine Orono which has a larger number of students and Chelsea was at Colby another smaller college in Waterville. Clinton's focus has been on women and that is what the majority makeup of her Maine audience was. Obama focus was on the college age. 17 year olds were urged by both candidates to take part in the caucus. The youth and women attendance was heavy in number.
There are 1.2 million citizens in Maine As of Jan. 15, 2008, Maine had 997,844 voters — 899,831 "active" voters and 98,013 "inactive" voters- Deputy Secretary of State Julie Flynn. Of the active voters, 253,319 are Republicans, 281,234 Democrats, 25,522 Green Independents and 339,756 are unenrolled.
Some townes like Kittery's Clerk says: "people are switching from one major party to another, and many unenrolled voters are coming in to register for one of the major parties for the first time.
Democrats drew the enthusiast crowds. The Republicans were *wake me when it's over*. I know, I attended both.
There are more Somalis in Lewiston than have voted in the caucus. At the current pace, the Maine caucus will involve fewer than 4000 residents.