Poll: Unless we can turn this around in the next year 'the enthusiasm gap' will kill us next year..

[WI_DEM]

Same as it did in 2010 when the GOP was much more excited about voting.

from a CBS News Poll:

Republicans appear more energized than Democrats at the outset of the 2012 presidential campaign, but have not coalesced around a candidate. Even as the party’s nominating contest seems to be narrowing to a two-man race between Mitt Romney and Gov. Rick Perry of Texas, a majority of their respective supporters say they have reservations about their candidate. Half of Republicans who plan to vote in a primary say they would like more choices.

But there is an 18 point partisan enthusiasm gap that currently favors Republicans: 44 percent of Republican voters are more enthusiastic about voting in 2012, while just 26 percent of Democrats are. This is a reversal compared to October, 2007, when twice as many Democrats as Republicans expressed more enthusiasm about voting.

Bottom line? Obama has alienated some parts of his base without winning over independents and centrists. That can't have been the plan.

www.dailykos.com

[existentialist]

1. Yup, this is a problem.

As against any Republican I clearly and definitely support Obama.

But I find it hard to be enthusiastic.

It just isn't there.

[MH1]

7. If a vicious animal was chasing you, would you be 'enthusiastic' about running away?

or would you be just kinda like "nah, don't feel like running right now"?

If any one of the current media-darling republican presidential candidates were to actually be elected, it will be a disaster of epic proportions, that will make the Bush years look like great times.

[existentialist]

8. Logically you are absolutely correct.

And I will do what I can.

I just can't promise how much that will be.

[mdmc]

2. I am sure Obama will win

and will do so without me GOTV in Pike County PA.
I spent a great deal of money and time in 2008. Now wall street has Obama's back and will get him another 4 years..

[Name removed]

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[DCBob]

3. Dont worry.. once a GOPer candidate is selected and the campainging heats up..

the stark differences become clear and most Democrats will realize how important it is to keep Obama in the WH and enough Democrats in congress to keep the GOPers from destroying this nation.

[elocs]

4. That's what happened last year here in WI. Republicans were fired up

and turned out to vote. Democrats were disappointed, disenchanted, and did not vote.

If things in the economy are not markedly better in another 8 months or so, or decidedly heading that way, Obama is toast no matter how much we think the current Republican candidates are jokes.

[COLGATE4]

5. K&R

[Jackpine Radical]

6. Yes, that's exactly what happened here.

I ran across a lot of anger & frustration among traditional Dems when I was phone banking for Feingold. They didn't vote for Johnson, they just stayed home.

[elocs]

16. Isn't that sad? It cost us Feingold, and what did Barrett have to do with what was happening

in D.C.?

Choices, meet consequences.

[Jackpine Radical]

25. Angry, frustrated people vote their guts, not their brains.

And the decision not to vote is still a vote.

[Name removed]

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[WI_DEM]

21. At least in WI I think that the base is fired up now since we did get

two GOP State Senators recalled last month and we will be recalling Walker, too!!

[Kablooie]

9. I see no indication of things turning around. We will enter 2013 with total Republican control.

Unless a totally unexpected monumental event occurs we are screwed.

[Name removed]

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[Bluenorthwest]

10. Apples and oranges

In Oct 07, both Parties were looking at Primaries and a General. This cycle, the Republicans are all Primary frothy, much 'decision making' for them to do that Democrats will not be doing. They are thinking about a choice starting in Feb 2012, 9 months in advance of the general election.
Comparing engagement of those voting in 5 months to those voting in 14 months is a bit on the absurd side, and I say this as a person who criticizes Obama policy all the time.

[nevergiveup]

12. At the moment I am not at all enthusiastic

but move the calendar forward to this time next year and the potential for a Perry Presidency and I will likely be busting my butt for Obama. The thought of the nation going the route of Wisconsin or Florida will be a huge motivation for me to get active.

[RBInMaine]

15. "Enthusiasm Gap" = Crybabies who need to grow the hell up ! Progressives have had more PROGRESSIVE

laws passed under Obama than they've seen since LBJ. Anyone who needs more "enthusiasm" in the face of that stark reality and the prospect of a President Perry and more RePUKES in Congress either has a screw loose or needs to grow the hell up.

[paulk]

17. I'm sure that attitude will get people to the polls

:eyes:

[Logical]

19. LOL....+1

[Logical]

18. See, your thinking is part of the problem.....

You tend to think that excitement does not matter. You must not understand advertising either. If you think 2008 was about people hating McCain then you are confused. Obama got people fired up ON PURPOSE. He sold himself as someone he ended up not being.
He did not "Change Washington" like he said he would. He did not fight like he said he would. So people are disappointed now.
Sure people will vote against the GOP candidate this election. But not vote FOR Obama. Get it now?

[WI_DEM]

22. Well that is true, but it sure didn't help us last year and unless it gets

better next year, and I'm hopeful it will, we could be in for a tough time.

[FredStembottom]

28. I feel GREAT now!!!!

The "cry-baby" thing is a sure winner!

Maybe we coukl go door-to-door and actually KICK fellow Democrats real hard while calling them diaper-wetters?

:dem:

[Logical]

20. I donated $2000 in 2008. None this time. But I will vote for him.

[treestar]

23. 2010 was a midyear election

And Republicans always are more enthusiastic. Their base never whines that the Rs aren't doing enough for them. That is why they have so much power when they are a minority.

You'd think the left would learn from them, but nope. Just keep trying to keep us all down. Can't stand winning, can't sit around and complain and be a victim of "the corporations" that way.

[blkmusclmachine]

24. You all just don't understand "11 Dimensional Chess:"

You always WIN by LOSING. :hangover:

[FrenchieCat]

26. You'll understand a foot way up in your ass when Republicans win.....

unless that's what you want. Cause there are some here
that are working for an Obama loss. They were sent here
for that exact purpose. To keep enthusiasm down. These
assholes need to be identified and kicked to the curb where they
belong. The fact that they would kill our future is criminal.

[Liberal_Stalwart71]

29. Just amazing how people don't blame the GOP for anything, but quick

to point he finger at one man. What about the rest of the Democratic Party leadership? Why aren't they fighting? What about the Democratic Party rank and file/voters? Why aren't YOU fighting?!?

See my signature and think REALLY hard about it!

All I see is the same bullshit here on DU, day in and day out. People complaining and bitching on a fucking message board instead of working to motivate more progressives to run and win office.

Really, it's tiring and pathetic!

[krawhitham]

27. Dems will be very enthusiastic

at making sure Perry does not win

Obama winning was not a vote for Obama in a lot of cases it was against Bush, What Obama did very well was connecting the dots between McCain and Bush. People voted against Bush's 3rd term

That will be the same motivation against Perry