(PHOTO CREDIT: AP PHOTO)
FROM CNN's Jack Cafferty:
Nearly all of the focus in yesterday's primaries was on the Democrats, and rightly so. But, here's an interesting little nugget about how the Republicans voted:
Despite the fact that John McCain has been his party's presumptive nominee for almost three months now, about a quarter of Republicans in North Carolina and Indiana voted against the Arizona senator.
That's right. In North Carolina, McCain received just 74% of the vote, while Mike Huckabee got 12% and Ron Paul received 7%. 4% said they had no preference. And in Indiana, 77% of Republicans voted for McCain, while Huckabee got 10%, Paul received 8%, and Mitt Romney 5%.
McCain faced similar results in the Pennsylvania primary two weeks ago. Also, quite a few Republicans crossed over to vote in the Democratic primary... with one in 10 Indiana voters in the Democratic primary identifying themselves as Republicans.
McCain's campaign says it's pleased with the way the Republican Party has united around his candidacy. They also point to polls that show them doing as well – if not better – with Republicans as President Bush did at similar points in his first campaign in 2000. The difference is President Bush wasn't running against the record of President Bush in 2000.
Here’s my question to you: What does it say when about a quarter of Republicans voted against John McCain yesterday?
Interested to know which ones made it on air?
Sandy from Ohio writes:
It says one of three things: 1) One fourth of the Republicans are not happy with their party's presumptive nominee 2) or one fourth of the Republicans are senile and don't know McCain is the presumptive nominee 3) or one fourth of the Republicans are just fed up and looking for a glimmer of hope. You can decide, Jack.
Chuck from North Carolina writes:
It tells me that the GOP is just as divided as the Democrats. Maybe it’s time for a real third party.
Sabrina from Spokane, Washington writes:
Jack, I live in the eastern, conservative part of the Washington state. Many Republicans voted here for Ron Paul. All my Republican friends, however, voted for Barack. I am a Democrat voting for Barack and convincing my conservative husband to do the same. I think it will work.
Kathy from Florida writes:
Jack, It means absolutely nothing. He has the Republican nomination. Let's wait until November to see what happens, when Republicans vote for their own party.
John from Chapel Hill, North Carolina writes:
Jack, It's called a protest vote. They know it's not going to make a difference so they vote for the candidate they wish had won. I know my brother voted for Ron Paul yesterday. Since I'm an independent, I could choose whether to vote Republican or Democrat. I chose the contest that was still in the headlines.
Kerry writes:
I am a young Republican looking for change from the past 8 years. McCain is too old. I will cross party lines and vote for Obama. My peer group is doing the same.
Dan from Chantilly, Va. writes:
I'm more interested in what it means for Ron Paul that the guy who already dropped out of the race is still getting more votes than him.