The "Big Turnout" Spin

A couple of times now, watching mainly MSNBC's Hardball coverage, I have heard the spin that record turnout in the Democratic primary tonight is a sign of doom for the Republicans (or, at least a sign of anti-Bush passion). I find that interpretation to miss a fundamental point of elections: when a race is competitive, turn-out tends to go up. There is clearly a highly competitive Kerry-Dean race, and there is a second-tier race for third.

I don't see a particular message for the Republicans here. Indeed, such spin at this point strikes me as wishful thinking by Democrats/liberals.