(USA Today) Poll shows voters are tuned in to politics

[sabra]

http://blogs.usatoday.com/ondeadline/2006/06/poll_shows_vote.html

Poll shows voters are tuned in to politics
Their high level of interest may bode well for Democrats this fall, USA TODAY Washington Bureau Chief Susan Page writes.

She reports this hour that the latest USA TODAY/Gallup poll shows that:

• "Voters are interested in the (2006) election at levels not usually seen in non-presidential years. More than a third have thought 'quite a lot' about the congressional elections. Seven of 10 say they are very motivated to get out and vote this year."

• "Democrats are particularly engaged." According to Page, "56% of Democrats say they are 'more enthusiastic about voting than usual,' the highest level of enthusiasm since the question was first asked in 1994" (the year that enthusiastic Republican voters pushed their party into control of Congress).

Page also reports that 61% of adults said their own representatives deserve reelection. But that doesn't necessarily guarantee reelection for incumbents, she writes: "In the summer of 1994, for instance, 60% said their own representative deserved re-election. That percentage had dropped to 53% by the November elections that swept many Democrats out of office."

[Cocoa]

1. "President Bush looms as a significant drag"

:rofl: from the main story...

http://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/2006-06-27-poll-elections_x.htm

[BOSSHOG]

2. I could not possibly be more "engaged."

I voted this AM for our democratic U. S. Senate nominee. I never miss an election. I just love voting against every republican on any ballot. No doubt members of DU are engaged.

This increased "engagement" could not be good news for republicans. The last thing they need is an informed public.

[skipos]

3. Agree 100%!!! nt

[VaYallaDawg]

8. Amen, shipmate.

Who is expected to win the Democratic senate nomination down there? Which seat is up this time - Lott, or the other one (can't remember name).

[BOSSHOG]

9. Lott's seat is up for grabs

The "other one", thad cochran, he and lott are interchangeable, lott just has a higher profile. State Congressman Eric Fleming got the most votes in the primary and I believe he will win the runoff. I'll pass on the info when the votes are counted. Thanks for your interest. We red state dems are gonna try to make some noise this year. We're gonna try to ensure lott has neither fair winds nor following seas.

[VaYallaDawg]

10. The only wind following Lott is the smell of a fart, IMO!!!

I don't know that much about Cochran, but from what you say, six of one, half dozen of the other!

I'm hopeful that VA is starting to turn "purple" enough that we too can have an upheaval this fall. George Allen is nothing short of an ignoramus embarrassment with a long history of bigotry - which is finally starting to come out into the open.

[BOSSHOG]

11. Unfortunately

in Mississippi, bigotry is an asset for lott.

[Old and In the Way]

4. Bad News for Republicans.

They count on the electorate to remain ignorant on what is happening in Washington...we should credit Bush Republicanism with getting people re-engaged with their need to vote. Clinton's stewardship of the Presidency made too many complacent about their watchdog responsibilities to vote.

[iconoclastic cat]

5. Just in time to have their vote challenged. nt

[Dawgs]

6. Okay, it's now the job of that 56% to get the 44% to at least vote.

There is no excuse for every "real" Democrat not to be motivated. They should at least vote. It has to be our job to make sure that happens.

I plan to get no less than 10 of my family and friends out to vote.

I hope every other "motivated" Democrat does the same.

[depakid]

7. Pretty contradictory results

"61% of adults said their own representatives deserve reelection."

and voters are tuned in?

LOL.

Please.