Originally Posted by FresnoBob

I worked as an inspector at a precinct here in Fresno on election day. There were a large number of younger voters showing up, along with some minority folk I hadn't seen around much (this was my neighborhood and my home precinct was voting at the same location) and more than a few women who, although registered GOP, wanted to vote in the Democratic Primary.

With McCain now basically assured of the Republican nomination, his real test is whether he can convince the religious right to support him (considering the alternatives) without totally alienating the moderates, undecideds, and non-partisan voters.

On the Democratic side, there are a lot of currently energized voters who might not be so enthused if "the other candidate" takes the nomination. I doubt seriously that the women cross-over voters (from GOP/nonpartisan) will stick around to support Obama at the expense of McCain, while the African-Americans proudly supporting Barak might not show up in November to send Hillary to the White House. If the two frontrunners get really nasty with each other as we head toward Denver in August, each risks alienating a necessary constituency if either wishes to change ownership of 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.

Amazing--considering the ineptitude of Bush over the last 7+ years, the Democrats still aren't a lock to carry the general election.