January 15, 2008
Posted: 09:25 PM ET

WASHINGTON (CNN) — Independent voters constituted a significantly smaller proportion of Michigan Republican primary voters this cycle than eight years ago, our exit polling indicates.

Independents made up only 25 percent of primary voters this year — 10 points less than they did in the 2000 GOP primary that McCain won.

As predicted, among independents McCain beat Romney 35 percent to 29 percent. But Romney easily beat McCain among registered Republicans, 40 percent to 26 percent. That could bode well for the former Massachusetts governor in upcoming primaries where independent voters are not allowed to vote on the Republican side.

– CNN Ticker Producer Alexander Mooney

Filed under: John McCain • Michigan • Mitt Romney


PS, KC, MO   January 16th, 2008 3:34 pm ET

Quite frankly, I don't think Independent voters should be allowed to vote in a party's primaries or caucuses for the president. After all, you're selecting delegates to that party's national convention. That is where the parties select their nominee to be president. Therefore it should be closed to only those who belong to that party. Independents have no party affiliation.

Penny Leonard   January 16th, 2008 3:10 pm ET

Clinton dodged a bullet in Vegas by not being allowed to answer special interest sponsors who have helped her campagn. She owes them and with all her EXPERIENCE she knows this and her day-one speech includes Payback to special interest groups who have supported her…I think for CNN to be FAIR, should make her answer and disclose all the names of her sponsors and Barack as well….Then with full disclosure, American people will FEEL more confident about their vote……Obama keeps talking about special interest groups because he is CLEAN and if you NOTICE Clinton stays completely away from statements about special interest groups…….she is praying no one asks her about her sponsors……next roundtable….BE FAIR CNN MAKE her answer the same question John asked and Obama answered but she didn't have too. SHE OWES and business as usual will happen if she is voted as President. Obama's inexperience is PLUS. he has no agenda just plain honesty and no debt to special interest groups and enthusiasm and a spirit of rolling up his sleeves and finding out all the dirt in DC when he is President…..Clinton, with all her EXPERIENCE aready knows the dirt and will owe the dirty and America will remain stagnate and not go forward. Make her disclose her sponsors please.

Jose Card - Independent   January 16th, 2008 12:05 pm ET

It's not Independents don't show up, but Independents can't show up.

independant   January 16th, 2008 11:57 am ET

The Democrats will offer handouts to every man, woman and child.
The Republicans will give drastic tax breaks to large corporations and the wealthy as a solution to the economy. (ie, trickle down theroy).

Neither party represents the middle class.

S.B. Stein E.B. NJ   January 16th, 2008 10:02 am ET

I have to disagree with those that say that since they don't like the current administration and candidates they don't need to vote. If that is the case, then they need to run their own candidate to vote for or vote uncommitted in either the Democrat or Republican side. There is no excuse for anyone not to vote other than they are dead, or legally not allowed to vote.

Anonymous   January 16th, 2008 8:31 am ET

Lawrence, you may be right in both cases; As an American, thank God it did not go that way.

Concerning McCain, though, to join Kerry he would have had to sacrifice his apparent intention to continue to claim to be a Republican. Beats me why he tries; maybe he is actually aware that his Dem 'support' is just steam from people who are simply bent on sabotage. And that they would never pick him in a race where his opponent had always been called a Democrat.

It will not be McCain. Not until open primaries are the rule across the nation. And at that point, maybe the Dems will end up with a Republican nominee. Because 2 parties can play that game if the day comes when it might actually work.

lawrencewalker   January 16th, 2008 1:12 am ET

Also, if McCain had accepted Kerry's offer to run as his VP in '04 (they talked about it several times), I think Kerry and McCain would be running for re-election now.

lawrencewalker   January 16th, 2008 1:08 am ET

Speaking of crossovers, how about Romney and Clinton are the nominees, Clinton picks McCain as HER running mate. Better than Lieberman, whom we saw standing right behind McCain at tonight's rally in Michigan.

Also, I say if Gore had picked Edwards as HIS running mate in 2000 (he did briefly consider it), then Edwards would be running for president this year, as he is, but he would be running as the sitting vice president! Lieberman was a mistake.

So whoever it is better get it right. The VP does matter, and historically, tickets with a southern white man in one of the positions WINS.

drm   January 16th, 2008 12:36 am ET

with all due respect but in a Republican primary why do independents and democrats get to vote for the Republican nominee? The Republican Party is selecting the Republican nominee to run as a Republican in the general election. It should be registered Republicans who get to vote for the Republican candidate in the Republican primary

Jim, S.C   January 15th, 2008 11:49 pm ET

The uncommitted would be both Obama and Edwards togather, looks like a landslide for Senator Clinton. Not her fault Michigan messed up there Delagate Count. Both Edwards and Obama are on the Florida Ballet, knowing it too was suspended like Michigan. Senator Clinton is the best candidate for President. A Clinton / Obama ticket would be unbeatable. My gut feeling tells me that Clinton can win without Obama, but I do not feel Obama can win without Clinton. This team would be so GREAT for America.

"Senator Clinton for President of the United States 2008″

Modern Iconoclast   January 15th, 2008 11:45 pm ET

A McCain / Obama Administration? As interesting as that would be, I think we have about as good a chance of seeing that as we do a Paul / Kucinich Administration.

dobby   January 15th, 2008 11:23 pm ET

American Idol was on tonight. That's explains the low turnout.

moqui   January 15th, 2008 10:55 pm ET

Richard, you are right - we ARE sick of Bush-type Republicans. That's why true GOP voters will not go for Huckabee or even McCain. We want a true Reagan type conservative. We've got a few good ones - Romney and Thompson and even Duncan Hunter - to choose from.

The only thing worse than a Bush-type Republican is an anything-type Democrat.

Kim, Dallas, TX   January 15th, 2008 10:29 pm ET

With the weather the way that it was and the meaningless voting due to moving up the date, their wasn't really much motivation for many to get out and vote. I wouldn't have taken the time had I been there knowing that voting wasn't going to count for anything much; especially if I was interested in a Democratic nomination. At least the Republicans were able to get delegates. I'm sure that's why there was a better turn out for them.

Big Mowma   January 15th, 2008 10:13 pm ET

CNN - Listen up…RON PAUL RON PAUL RON PAUL RON PAUL!!!!! He is being ignored by you guys and I have NO idea why. I'm writing him in…..to heck with the plastic politicians!!!

H.M. Johnson   January 15th, 2008 9:56 pm ET

Here's a novel suggestion if McCain and Clinton are the nominees. I suggest John McCain select Senator Obama as his running mate. Talk about a way to create dialogue! You heard it here first.

Anonymous, Somewhere, MI   January 15th, 2008 9:47 pm ET

No, Richard, it snowed, that's why they didn't show up. I wish more could be said about independents than that, but it can't.

Richard   January 15th, 2008 9:45 pm ET

people are sick of bush type republicans selling out this country.. thats why they didnt show up.

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