Public Policy Polling: Unhappy Democrates are MORE likely to vote.

[BzaDem]

"What these numbers suggest to me is that Democrats staying home aren't necessarily disappointed with how things have gone so far. The Democrats not voting are more pleased with how Obama's done than the Democrats who are voting. And when you're happy you simply don't have the sense of urgency about going out and voting to make something change. That complacency, more than the Republicans, is Democrats' strongest foe this year."

--snip--

http://publicpolicypolling.blogspot.com/2010/09/unhappy-democrats-are-more-likely-to.html

This reconfirms something I saw in January, but that I haven't seen a poll of since. The conventional wisdom on this board seems to be that Obama and the Democrats are at fault for the enthusiasm gap and right-skewed electorate, because they aren't liberal enough, or didn't enact this or that, or whatever. While these people certainly exist (this board is a testament to that), the people who are less likely to vote are HAPPIER with Obama than people who are more likely to vote.

Why? Complacency. Like it or not, fear and opposition are much more potent forces in politics than praise and satisfaction. This may bode well for Obama in 2012 should Republicans somehow take the House, but will likely not bode well for us now, when Democrats control government and there is little for Democrats to oppose or get angry about.

[BrklynLiberal]

1. hmmm....for some reason I find no shortage of issues to oppose or get angry about....

:shrug:

[BzaDem]

3. As I said, there are plenty of people on this board who are opposed/angry/etc.

While polls consistently show that Democrats opposed to/angry about Obama are a small minority (~10-15%), some here have been saying that they are the reason that the enthusiasm gap exists. This poll is some evidence that this is not the case.

[Ramulux]

2. Its all about GOTV

We outnumber the GOP by a ridiculous margin when it comes to registered voters. This election will be decided by how well Dem volunteers and organizers do at letting people know that an election is even happening his year.

[laughingliberal]

4. For Democrats, it has always been and always will be about GOTV. We have always outnumbered them.

Since my earliest days as a Democrat 37 years ago, we knew, 'when Democrats turn out, we win.'

[DCBob]

5. Good to hear because no doubt many are pissed off..

especially on this site.

[mmonk]

6. So that's the reason so many people are trying to make us mad.

[flyarm]

7. lol..

[laughingliberal]

8. That must be it!

:)