Democratic carry-over only at top of ballot

May 13, 2008 10:20 am

— The huge Democratic turnout in last week’s primary election was not an isolated phenomenon in Elkhart County. But it may not translate into a Democratic juggernaut this fall in Indiana.
Statewide, nearly 1.3 million Democratic votes were cast, three times the number of Republican ballots taken. But Hoosier voters intent on helping to select the Democratic presidential nominee may have only prolonged the inevitable.
Because Hillary Clinton narrowly defeated Barack Obama in Indiana, she soldiers on despite the growing odds against her success.

However, politicos aren’t sure what to make of the Democratic turnout.
“It would be fool’s gold for them to read much into this election as some kind of groundswell for the Democrat Party,” sniffed GOP Chairman Murray Clark, and he predicted John McCain and Gov. Mitch Daniels will rally the Republicans.
But state Democratic Chairman Dan Parker said the lists of Clinton and Obama volunteers will become an important resource, and suggested the additional 140,000 new voters may also be amenable to Democratic candidates.

Locally, the loss by state Rep. John Ulmer as well as some high-profile Republican losses in state contests in prior elections suggest that Daniels may not have long coattails.
The 1992 presidential election was the last time more Democrats than Republicans voted in an Indiana primary. That year George Bush the elder defeated Bill Clinton in Indiana, but Democrat Evan Bayh easily won re-election as governor. Bayh polled more votes in Elkhart County than did Republican candidate Linley Pearson.

This scenario should bode well for Jill Long Thompson, the Democratic gubernatorial challenger. She doesn’t have much of a war chest, but she also doesn’t carry any baggage associated with state and federal candidates.
However, the interest in Democratic candidates seems to fade at the state level and becomes nonexistent at the county level. If there is any Democratic carry-over from the 2008 primary election, it will be at the top of the ballot this fall.