GOP Voters Reliable

The Los Angeles Times' Doyle McManus, often seen on PBS Washington Week, writes that the GOP has an edge in midterm elections:

The Democrats have a core problem that goes beyond the current polls: In congressional "off year" elections, their voters don't show up.

The numbers are stark. About 133 million people voted in the presidential elections of 2008, but only about 90 million turned up for the congressional elections of 2010 — almost one-third fewer. The no-shows included disproportionate numbers of young people, women and minority voters — all largely Democratic groups. The "reliable voters" were disproportionately elderly, white and male — all groups that tend to vote Republican.

I love it when voter turnout is low, it makes my vote worth more. Effectively my vote represents not only me but also several people who didn't bother to vote. As Woody Allen said, 80% of success is showing up, in this case to vote.