[Tobra]

Yeah Todd, pretty much that is how Democracy is supposed to work. You can vote for whoever you want, and nobody asks your motivation. Why would you want to vote in the Republican primary, it is a done deal

Don't you remember Grayout Davis paying for Bill Simon to be his opponent in the gubernatorial race rather than Dick Riordan? How about when the Democratic Party has promoted this very same behavior in the past with similar motivations? This sort of stuff happens all the time.

For the lazy people who don't want to click over.
by Mark Silva

There are signs that Republican voters may be turning out in force to vote for a Democrat in Indiana's open primary elections today.

And that Democrat, for any voters following the marching orders of Rush Limbaugh looking for some havoc in the Democratic Party and a boost for the Republicans in November, could be Hillary Clinton. But then again, some of the Republicans around Indianapolis say they are voting for Barack Obama.

"Democratic ballots are popular even in southern Marion County precincts, normally Republican strongholds,'' the Indianapolis Star reports. "The turnout has prompted some nervous poll workers to call an Election Board hotline with worries about Democratic ballots running short, though none have run out yet.

Two precincts at a family center had selected Republican Jon Elrod over Democrat Andre Carson in March's special election for Congress, the Star notes. But by 9 a.m. today, just 21 voters in one of those precincts had requested Republican ballots -- out of 168 cast.

Among them was Meghan Ward-Bopp, 24, who went against family tradition and asked for Democratic ballot so she could vote for Barack Obama; she plans to vote for Republican John McCain in November.

"I'm a hardcore Republican," she said, "but it's about who I wanted in second place in case McCain doesn't make it. ... I don't like the way this country's been run in the last 20 years. I'm sick of the dynasty (of two families) that's been running things."

Jim Adams, 36, voted for Clinton "to keep the race going beyond Indiana,'' the Star reports. "He's a McCain backer and enjoys watching the Democrats fight.''


"In the end, I think McCain is going to win," Adams told the paper.

Kate Hayward left the center wearing a T-shirt: "Another Mama for Obama."

Her husband, a Republican, also voted for Obama, she said.

The Republican strongholds in the counties around Indianapolis have high demand for Democrat ballots.

"We've seen more Democrats so far in the first few hours than we'll usually see in a day," said election judge Barb Stauch at Avon United Methodist Church in Hendricks County.

"We've had a lot of questions about switching. People want to know if they can switch back and forth, if they can vote Democratic this time," said election clerk Cara Paasch at the church.

Democract Liisa Le, 45, voted at the church this morning. She said she was most interested in the presidential primary and the Avon School Board race.

"The issues facing this country are huge. The economy, the problems with gas, the problems with real estate, the problems with food prices ... must I go on?" said Le, a stay-at-home mother.

With thanks to Jon Murray and Rebecca Neal of the Indy Star