Seriously, why do you think Democrats are behind in the polls?

[kentuck]

Or do you think they are not behind? That this is only media propaganda, promoted by the right-wing?

But if they are indeed behind and likely to lose several seats in the House and Senate, because that "always" happens in mid-term elections, how could the Democrats turn it around?

What, in your opinion, distinguishes the Democrats from the Republicans and makes them want to vote in November? What issues really turn on the Democrats?

Is it that the "base" is unrealistic or too idealistic to recognize the achievements of this Administration or that they have not done a good enough job selling their achievements?

What can the Democrats do to get back into the race? Are the great speeches by the President enough to make up the difference and keep the losses to a minimum?

Why are not the Democrats doing better?

[FBaggins]

1. The economy of course.

There are several other issues, but the biggest by far is that we control the Congress and the WH and the economy sucks. It's that simple.

[WI_DEM]

2. because they use some "likely voter" model which favors the GOP while among all reg voters

in many of these polls the dems are ahead. The key will be turnout--and gotv. Just because somebody says they "may not vote" or "will probably vote" doesn't mean they won't vote on November 2. If somebody tells a pollster they "will probably vote" they aren't considered a likely voter because they didn't say they definitely will. I see polls getting tighter now in many races even among "likely voters" Ohio Governor, CA Senate and Gov, are good examples.

[ProSense]

3. The self-proclaimed "base"

needs to stop whining

[niceypoo]

7. Stunning arrogance

With 'supporters' like this, it's no shock Obama keeps losing ground.

[ProSense]

10. Right,

unless one accepts that the President is a failure, they're arrogant.

People need to stop pretending that this sniping started with Gibb's comment. It has been ongoing since the President took office.

He was called a sellout for the stimulus bill.

[niceypoo]

15. Arrogance = non existent self importance

[ProSense]

17. Does that make sense? n/t

[niceypoo]

20. Yes

If you dont like that one, try this one on for size:

'An attitude of superiority manifested in an overbearing manner or in presumptuous claims or assumptions'

Is that more fitting?

[ProSense]

22. You must know

"'An attitude of superiority manifested in an overbearing manner or in presumptuous claims or assumptions'"

Here is a clue: "Arrogance = non existent self importance"

"Non existent self importance" is the opposite of arrogance.

[niceypoo]

23. LOL

Your argument is with the dictionary, not me

Modesty is the opposite of arrogance, BTW

[Enrique]

4. because of the economy

what issues really turn on the democrats? Issues of rich vs. poor. And with the recession hitting the poor brutally and not hitting the rich noticably, it's even more of an issue. Even the teabaggers are motivated by it, with their opposition to TARP.

Base unrealistic? No.
Bad selling job? No. Bad product.

What can they do to get back in the race? End the Bush tax cuts.

Why are they not doing better? Because of the unemployment rate, the oil spill, Shirley Sherrod, public option, more...

[Guy Whitey Corngood]

5. I think they've fucked up on their messaging but at the same time this whole

teabagging anti incumbent bullshit started as a media creation. So called independents seem to be low information voters for the most part and will flip on a dime. Of course the corporate world is holding the economy hostage with its capital strike in order to get pukes in power again. It's probably a combination of elements.

When it comes to voting people in this country just don't seem to care all that much. 2008 had some of the highest turnout we've ever seen but when you compare it to places like Venezuela and my homeland of Puerto Rico it's not all that high percentage wise.

[PVnRT]

6. Economy & midterms

All of this has happened before. All of this will happen again.

[Pirate Smile]

8. It is all about the economy & the first midterm after a new POTUS plus Republicans always freak when

Democrats control Congress and the White House.

[COLGATE4]

9. Because:

1 - the economy
2 - it's a mid term election
3 - Obama (and his administration) failed to capitalize on the political momentum he had early in his term to address issues which were of concern to his base and supporters (not necessarily the same groups)
4 - Obama showed himself to be overly committed to achieving 'bipartisanship', letting his agenda get stalled and blocked
5 - And perhaps most critical after 1 and 2, the entire Obama administration did a horrible job in getting the message about what they were doing (and what they had done) out to the public in general. Let Rethugs frame and re frame the issues 24/7

[Imajika]

11. Economy is bad...

And of course with Dems controlling the Executive and Legislature the Republicans are naturally fired up.

There is nothing mysterious here. If the economy was better, we would do better in the election. If the economy was worse, we would do worse in the election. People have short memories - human nature is what it is.

[DirkGently]

12. They need to stop whining about their own supporters and campaign against Republicans, for starters.

[stray cat]

13. because people are angry and stupid - just like the base in fact

because they are angry they will shoot themselves to make a point if it effects those in office

[AldebTX]

14. A Combination of The Economy and THE STORY

I know things are bad...but the news stations seem to be almost spinning every story to fit the meme that there is a Tidal Wave of discontent about to hit.

If we had a real , unbiased media...I think the story would be the tightening of major races, yet all I hear on the news is the coming Republican Landslide.

[niceypoo]

16. It's the economy stupid

...as a wise Democrat once said...

[Zoeisright]

18. Because Americans are stupid and have memory problems.

Plus there's a huge number of idiots who think that gay marriage and abortion are actually issues that are any of their business.

[zipplewrath]

19. Because of the moral hazard

The democrats bailed out the very people that caused the economic collapse, and told the victims that they would have to accept "tough times" until it could all be straightened out.

[Liberal_Stalwart71]

21. The economy, hate rhetoric from the Righties, apathy, uninformed populace. n/t