I may be daft, but

[ashling]

I don't see the point in the Obama administration "pushing back" against stories that Black and Hispanic voter registration is down if indeed the administration is doing so as reported in the media -

1. It seems to me that the response among these groups to "stories" that their registration is down would be to work harder to get people registered. That could not be a bad thing.

2. If the Romney camp buys these "stories" they could become overconfident and maybe cause Romey to slip up and say something stupid ... oh, wait ... but anyway, how could this be a bad thing.

3. "Pushing back" on this seems a waste of energy.

4. Speaking of wasted energy, I think I could use a nap.

[Scuba]

1. Actually, this might be a rare moment of lucidity.

[Drunken Irishman]

2. I can see why...

If they believe it's false, it's not good to get a narrative out there that people aren't as energized or as enthusiastic to support Obama as they were four years ago. It's similar to the attacks on his Ohio rally, where because he didn't pack the arena, it's proof positive students and others are so over supporting him.

The media latches onto this and starts suggesting Obama is in trouble. It trickles down to the average voter, who might be on the fence, and they start questioning why Obama is in trouble - well shit, if other Americans are done with him, maybe I should be done too! Then it tells those other supporters, the ones who haven't yet given up, that it's all a worthless exercise and he's going to lose anyway, so, why put the effort into anything?

I know that sounds ridiculous and complex, but politics is often a game of momentum. If it's out there that Obama is struggling recapturing the voters who brought him into office, it establishes a theme the campaign does not want. No incumbent wants to be fighting the image that his coalition no longer exists - just ask Jimmy Carter.

As for doing something about it, I'm sure Obama's team is doing just that. But if they believe these stories are overestimating how down the registration is, they should set the record straight.