Mitt Romney

"Progressive" political site DailyKos is urging Democrats in Michigan to cross over and vote for Gov. Mitt Romney in Tuesday's primary to keep the candidate in the GOP race and thereby ensure the Republicans continue "trashing each other."

DailyKos founder Markos Moulitsas posted messages both yesterday and today to explain how Democrats can meddle in the GOP primary.

Michigan is an open-primary state, which means party members are not limited to voting for one of their own.

Explained Moulitsas:

"In 1972, Republican voters in Michigan decided to make a little mischief, crossing over to vote in the open Democratic primary and voting for segregationist Democrat George Wallace, seriously embarrassing the state's Democrats. In fact, a third of the voters in the Democratic primary were Republican crossover votes. In 1988, Republican voters again crossed over, helping Jesse Jackson win the Democratic primary, helping rack up big margins for Jackson in Republican precincts. (Michigan Republicans can clearly be counted on to practice the worst of racial politics.) In 1998, Republicans helped Jack Kevorkian's lawyer – quack Geoffrey Feiger – win his Democratic primary, thus guaranteeing their hold on the governor's mansion that year.

(Story continues below)

"With a history of meddling in our primaries, why don't we try and return the favor. Next Tuesday, January 15th, Michigan will hold its primary. Michigan Democrats should vote for Mitt Romney, because if Mitt wins, Democrats win."

Moulitsas goes on to explain Sen. Hillary Clinton is the only Democrat on the ballot, giving party members the chance to use their votes for a little GOP mischief.

"Poor Mitt Romney, who's suffered back-to-back losses in the last week, desperately needs to win Michigan in order to keep his campaign afloat," wrote Kos. "Bottom line, if Romney loses Michigan, he's out. If he wins, he stays in.

"And we want Romney in, because the more Republican candidates we have fighting it out, trashing each other with negative ads and spending tons of money, the better it is for us. We want Mitt to stay in the race, and to do that, we need him to win in Michigan."

An image on DailyKos shows a photo of Romney with the words, "Democrats for Mitt: Because the GOP deserves the very worst."

Concludes Moulitsas: "Without a real Democratic contest on the ballot, and a lack of party registration in Michigan, this is an open primary. Anyone can pick up a Republican ballot. So Michigan Democrats and independents who want to see the Republican battle royale continue should just take a few minutes on Tuesday, January 15th to cast a ballot for Mitt Romney in the Republican primary. …

"Michigan is Romney's last stand. He has pulled all advertising from other states for a last-ditch effort there. It's sink or swim time for Romney, and we're going to throw him a lifesaver.

"So why are we doing this? Because we can. Because it'll be fun. And because we've suffered Republican meddling, stealing, and disenfranchisement in our elections for far too long."

Related special offers:

"Bankrupt: The Intellectual and Moral Bankruptcy of Today's Democratic Party" now in paperback

"Liberwocky: What Liberals Say and What They Really Mean"

Previous stories:

DailyKos: Did Bush order Pat Tillman whacked?

'Progressive' conference shuts down military man

Family leaders call Romney 'disaster'

Rudy, Hillary, Mitt to WND: Drop dead

2002 Romney flier promotes 'gay' rights