ESL General English Grammar Questions

Re: they'd cast their vote for

New2grammar — Wed, 21 May 2008 10:34:32 GMT

Thanks, MH.

Marius Hancu — Wed, 21 May 2008 10:31:32 GMT

they would is of course hypothetical, in case Clinton loses

Because they prefer voting for McCain better than for Obama, if Clinton loses. For revenge or racial reasons.

New2grammar — Wed, 21 May 2008 10:24:07 GMT

Two-thirds of Clinton's supporters there said they would vote Republican or not vote at all rather than for Obama, according to the polls.

Forty-one percent of Clinton supporters said they'd cast their vote for McCain, and 23 percent said they would not vote at all.

I don't understand the logic of this sentence in italics. Why supporters of Clinton want to vote for McCain. Is 'they'd' hypothetical?

Thanks