NYT: This Time, Voter Anger Is No Surprise to Democrats

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/08/15/us/politics/15town.html?_r=1&partner=EXCITE&ei=5043


By JEFF ZELENY
Published: August 14, 2010

NEVADA, Mo. — A year ago, dozens of protesters gathered outside the district office of Representative Ike Skelton, a Democrat who has represented a wide stretch of western Missouri since 1976. The anger they directed at health care legislation — and by extension most Congressional Democrats — left the party in a state of near panic.

It may, in retrospect, have been the best thing that could have happened to Mr. Skelton and his colleagues.

In the arsenal of advantages that Republicans hold as they seek to win control of Congress this year, one thing is missing: the element of surprise. Unlike 1994, when Republicans shocked Democrats by capturing dozens of seats held by complacent incumbents, there will be no sneak attacks this year. Democrats have sensed trouble for more than a year, with the unrest from town-hall-style meetings last August providing indisputable evidence for any disbelievers.


Pablo Martinez Monsivais/Associated Press

“I take it very seriously,” Representative Ike Skelton said of the unrest among his constituency.


The result has been to goad many Democrats into better preparation: more fund-raising, earlier advertising, lots of time on the campaign trail.

“People have been very, very kind through the years,” said Mr. Skelton, chairman of the Armed Services Committee, who is running for an 18th term. “But there is some unrest this time. I take it very seriously.”

In the last two elections, Democrats picked up 55 seats in the House, earning a majority that party leaders know will now narrow. The question is not whether Republicans will win seats in November, but rather how many. Democrats believe that their fortunes would be far worse if the voter discontent had stayed at bay until this August.

FULL story at link.

[mmonk]

1. What angers Democratic Party voters is not the same thing that angers

those Tea Party demonstrators. If they don't learn the difference, it won't matter. Misinformation is what drives the right wing protesters.