Poll: Enthusiasm dips for Democratic voters

[Purveyor]

USA TODAY's Susan Page mentioned findings from a new USA TODAY/Gallup Poll in today's analysis of President Obama's Oval Office address, including a widening "enthusiasm gap" between Democrats and Republicans looking at the November elections.

Here's more detail from Susan about those results:

Midterm elections, when turnout is traditionally low, are all about getting voters engaged enough to actually go the polls and vote. In the USA TODAY survey taken Friday through Sunday, there's sobering news on that front for Democrats. Just 35% of Democratic and Democratic-leaning voters said they were "more enthusiastic than usual" about voting in November. That's down eight percentage points from May and a precipitous 22-point drop from the poll we took in March.

In fact, it's the lowest level of enthusiasm for Democratic voters since 1998.

Enthusiasm among Republicans and Republican-leaning voters dipped, too, but not as much as among Democrats. Now, 53% of Republicans say they are more enthusiastic than usual about voting, down six points from May and 16 points from March.

So Republicans now benefit from an 18-point enthusiasm advantage -- an edge that, if it holds up, could be more important than money in the bank.

More...

http://content.usatoday.com/communities/onpolitics/post/2010/06/gop-voters-enthusiasm-democrats-/1

[treestar]

1. Republicans never run out of enthusiasm

Even when they are down and when they get little of what they want. Have to say that for them.

[tranche]

2. We've had Congress since 2006.

Before the Obama bashing begins in earnest... I'd say I'm a little less then enthusiastic knowing we've had congress for 4 years. Even though the Senate is worthless as tits on a boar.

[Jennicut]

3. And yet Dems lead on the generic ballot.

If Dems don't want to vote, they get Rethugs to lead them. It is up to you to decide if you want to bother. I vote every year since 2000 regardless. Never again is always my motto.

"On the other hand, Democrats do have an edge in what's called the generic congressional ballot, a question that asks which party's candidates respondents would vote for if the congressional election were being held today. Now, by 48%-43%, they pick the Democrat. It's the first lead for Democrats on that measure since January."

[daleanime]

4. So I'm not enthusiastic...

does rage count?:grr:

[WI_DEM]

5. I can't wait to vote in November for Russ Feingold in Senate, Tammy Baldwin for house and Tom Barret

for Governor of WI.

[OHdem10]

6. Poll reflects Democrats are favored over Republicans on Eeonomy.

(Cab be trusted more than the GOP)

Economy is the issue of most concern.

[leftynyc]

7. As I recall

In 1998, Democrats surprised everyone by actually gaining seats in Congress during an off-election year.

[karynnj]

8. "more enthusiastic than usual" Consider Americans have short memories and think why Republicans

would be higher. Consider the incredible enthusiasm of 2008 and in the last few months of the 2006 election - for Democrats. Is this year like 2008 where the excitement of getting a Democratic President - and a historical one was very real?

Now look at the Republicans, they were incredibly dispirited in 2008 and were merely complacent in 2006. The last time they had excitement like our 2008 was maybe 1984. (There was not huge excitement in either 2000 or 2004 - though there was intense loyalty in 2004.

So, the question is actually different for the two parties.

[Connie_Corleone]

9. What does "enthusiastic" mean?

I'm not enthusiastic to vote in November. My representative, Steve Driehaus, is too conservative for me. But I'm going to vote for him because I don't want a Republican taking that seat and Driehaus does vote the right way when it comes to the economy and education.

[Robbins]

10. 1998

That was not a bad year for Democrats.We picked up 5 seats In the House.In fact some people said If more effort would have been
put In Democrats could have taken back the House.

In the senate despite talk of massive Democratic loses most races broke In favor of the democrats.Boxer In California and Feingald
In Wi were heavily targeted by Republicans and won.The only Democratic sitting senator to lose was Braun In Illinois and that was
because of charges of corruption against him.Two antiClinton Senators shockly were beaten.

In new York Schumer beat D'monto who really pushed the Whitewater Investigation.In NC Edwards beat another anti CLinton Senator.

So being a replay of 1998 would not be a bad thing.

[county worker]

11. Looks like they are grasping at straws to support their meme that the Dems are in trouble.

The MSM has made up their minds they are going to force the issue of "Dems in trouble." It's the only story they think will get them ratings.

The poll shows the Dems improving in many ways.

[bluestateguy]

12. I was never polled

How come I am never polled when these alleged polls are taken?