Does anyone see an enthusiasm gap developing for the fall?

[Obama3_16]

It seems like the 2010 midterms and subsequent wrench in the works blamed largely on Tea Party congress critters has blunted enthusiasm from the right. The primary numbers are horrible.

Meanwhile, I still say one cannot underestimate how many tired and cynical African Americans couldn't quite believe the notion a black man would be elected president. If Democrats can excite that base enough especially in states where Dems have had trouble winning in past elections (Virginia, North Carolina, and others) then Obama could easily destroy Romney.

Am I seeing too much from primary turnout? Do people feel there will enough of a turnout on the Democratic side to not only win the White House again but add some seats in the house again?

[FredStembottom]

1. This morning, I have been wondering...

...if there isn't a historic trading places going on.

The Repubs getting more and more divided - like Dems are souppossed to do. And Dems becoming more united - both to stave off the crazy - and as a response to Obama's strong turn towards the base.

[Proud Public Servant]

2. Depends on what it's enthusiasm for

If it's our enthusiasm for Obama vs. their enthusiasm for the eventual GOP candidate, then yes -- the gap is huge and growing wider.

If it's general enthusiasm for retaining Obama versus enthusiasm for getting rid of him, then not so much. Enthusiasm for ending the Obama presidency runs so high on the right that it'll bring Freepers out for Mittens. This is the gap (or lack thereof) that's dangerous.

[Obama3_16]

5. I think it will be difficult for Repubs to whip up the frenzy. Their candidate is horrible

and it is clear the party is still suffering from a major identity crisis and "brand erosion". If this were a vote of "Did Obama do what you thought he'd do?" then Many people would say "No" and their vote would be same.

If the election is "Hey, here's a guy that inherited a mess. He's making progress and we need to stick with what seems to be working in the long slog out of our valey of sorrow, and here's this guy over here who doesn't HAVE A CLUE about how to run a country and has no empathy at all. He is a poster boy for all that led us into our valley of sorrow." Then I think Obama rolls to victory.

I believe there are some who loudly proclaim Obama is a socialist, etc. but secretly feel he's been refreshingly stable as a president. They will either abstain from choosing (depressing conservative turnout) or if things really start improving in the next 7 or 8 months they could pull the lever for Obama.

[Proud Public Servant]

11. Oh, I agree. That's why they'll try

To turn it from being an election (between two candidates) into a referendum on Obama. We've already won teh contest between Obama and Romney. But if the GOP can deflect attention from their own candidate and turn the election into "Obama: yea or nay?" we have a bigger (though not insurmountable) problem.

[elleng]

3. Hope so, on repug side, as we MUST TAKE BACK THE HOUSE,

so as to accomplish what must be done.

[DCKit]

9. +1

A lot of the AA people I know (mostly women) went for Hillary in the primary. At first I thought it was simply because she was a woman, the I realized it was because they didn't think an AA person could possibly take the WH in their lifetime. There was jubilation all over my neighborhood when Obama won.

This time, African Americans aren't going to be so reserved and will go all out... but only as long as it's made clear that the stakes are just as high this time around.

The bonus is that a higher minority turnout will gain us even more Congressional seats, so let's get on it. There are a bunch of (R)s that need to be booted from both houses if we want to see any progress.

[Obama3_16]

13. I agree!! Let us get ourselves excited about the prospect of an UNLEASHING of support

[Old and In the Way]

4. AAs are among the most energized voting blocks to re-elect Obama.

Democrats, in general, are motivated for both positive and negative reasons to see Obama re-elected. The Republican base is not turning out for their primaries....could be the choices...or it could be their Party's economic agenda. I don't think Obama Derangement Syndrome is nearly as prevalent or as severe as one would think from watching the Republican leadership in action. And, without the Obama hate, what else can Republicans campaign on? If your base can't get motivated to show up for the primaries and caucuses...what's going to motivate the nominally Republican voter to show up in the GE?

[Johnny2X2X]

17. Agree

I think the Republicans have come way back from the edge in terms of ODS. They are seeing him for the moderate he is and I think Mittens highlights that for them. The Freepers who really dislike the Mitt simply say he is the same as Obama, well that admission right there makes Obama a moderate. The Country has gotten to know Obama over the last 3+ years and it's obvious to any sane person that he's anything but an extremist. The last hope they have is to paint him as an out of control spender and when over the course of this campaign his actual spending record is examined it will show he's the most conservative spending President in a generation. Obama has presided over the most modest spending increases in a very long time and that's a fact that is easy to see even for Freepers when they are shown the numbers.

[Obama3_16]

20. I agree with your agree. He is not "the other" anymore no matter what the GOP says

it is stupid and pathetic when anyone still tries that disguised racist gambit.

[pamela]

6. I think women will be the key.

Republican turnout is lower because even the minority of women who vote Republican are repulsed by the GOP field.. a serial adulterer, a dog abuser, an anti-contraception warrior and grandpa monkey pancakes. I think Democratic women and Indie women will be energized and enthusiastic about voting for President Obama in November. If Republicans keep up this incessant attack on women's healthcare decisions they may find they have awakened a sleeping giant. I hope so.

[Obama3_16]

10. I agree with you. Also think Democrats realllly need to remind voters where Repubs are with Hispanic

issues. If they can get Hispanic voters in similar percentages or even more than in 2008 AND kindle a fire so they raise registration and turnout for Hispanics, it can really turn states like Arizona, Nevada, and the like.

[gateley]

7. If we were faced with the same dilemma of loser candidates, I'd probably just

stay home for the primaries, vote for whichever Dem got the nod in the General. No enthusiasm.

I never want to take the Dem turnout for granted (I kind of did that in the mid-terms) - I'm hopeful we'll show out in force again.

If the economy continues to improve, and Obama gets the message out, I think we'll be okay.

[FrenchieCat]

8. Well, I believe that

Black folks will do their duty of voting en masse....if not for the privilege of giving Obama a 2nd term (hell, if W. Bush got one, then certainly Pres. Obama deserves one), then to tell all of the racists and race baiters that have been showing their asses from under their sheets for the past three years to kiss theirs!

I believe that most folks who vote on our side quite understand the seriousness of the entire matter and how it would detrimently affect not only them personally, but as well, how it would affect this country if we wake up to the nightmare of having done anything other than to re-elect Barack Obama.....as it is not something that could be undone, and the consequences would be more than dire for every woman, child and man in the world (If I sound overly dramatic, that's because the state of affairs would be exactly that).

I will add that enthusiasm on our side will be determined with what we collectively make it be.....and it could make the real difference for years and years to come! We have the power to get her done, and the only question that remains is whether we will do just that....or whether it will be simply a "game" to enough that it will be allowed to impact the results for the whole!

So I can only hope that we anticipate the terrible obvious, and get our asses in gear to make sure the unthinkable doesn't happen, and that it doesn't even come remotely close.....cause that's all the other side needs; for it to be remotely close for them to end up with a win!

[Obama3_16]

15. Great post in that EVERYONE that is not a bat shit crazy right winger will suffer if

Obama is not reelected. This is a crucial time in our history. Bush was able to undo 8 years of Clinton remarkably easily. Obama needs another four years just to keep the crazies away from social security, keep them away from starting another couple of oil wars, and in general promoting a more fair and equitable society that benefits most of us--not just enrich a few.

[FrenchieCat]

18. Even the Bat Shit crazy right wingers would suffer......

except for maybe the 1% of them, if Barack Obama is not reelected.

This country and this world would suffer to a point of no return, of the likes
we have never seen nor imagined, IMO!

Turning this country back over to the heartless, greedy, unfeeling, lying freaks of nature
called the Republican party would be the worse mistake this country could make.....

But like I said, by the time enough people realize it, it would be way too late (see Gov. Walker)!

So it ain't so much about re-electing Barack Obama as a personal favor to him....
it's about re-electing Barack Obama as a favor to the future of this world, period.

Again, I may sound overly dramatic.....but in actuality, I don't really think that I'm placing enough emphasis on the what ifs!

This article, however, does..... http://presidentobamathe44th.wordpress.com/2012/01/17/must-read-article-we-all-have-a-choice-in-the-2012-election/

[Obama3_16]

22. no doubt the batshit crazy would suffer. but they already vote against themselves every

single election cycle.

I agree with you that just on the rational basis of doing what is best for yourself and your country, the people of this country should vote for Obama.

But, it would be an ultimate insult that a dumbfuck like Bush gets 2 terms and screws over our country but Obama--best president since Roosevelt--would only get one.

Yes, I consider Obama better than Truman, Kennedy, Johnson, Carter, and Clinton.

[Liberal_Stalwart71]

12. Last night Ed Schultz interviewed Keith Ellison from the Democratic caucus event.

He had Ed pan to the audience where the caucus is taking place. The place was PACKED!!

We are seeing this all over the country. The president is facing an uphill battle with the economy and dealing with a recalcitrant Congress. However, his supporters are out in full force.

No matter what the Corporate Media says about Obama being unpopular with his base, with Independents, Catholics, women, etc., we have two eyes and can see very well.

State by state, primary by primary, caucus by caucus, Obama supporters are out and working! I can't tell you how happy I am to see people WORKING!

Though I am lucky to live in a very blue state, my neighbor to the south--Virginia--needs our help. We are starting to send bus loads of Marylanders down to Virginia, and a few buses to Philly to get to work! Not just for Obama, but for the state level and congressional level races, too!!!

[Obama3_16]

16. excellent. I am looking for great ways to help people in other less blue states. (I'm in Oregon)

and the Bonemici race told me we are going to RESOUNDINGLY reelect Obama in our state.

So, I want to help other western states like Nevada, Arizona, and Colorado to turn/keep them blue. As you said....to also help in local and congressional races.

[AlinPA]

14. The republicans will vote with a lot of passion to get the black man out of "their White House",

but IMO, we are going to be energized from watching all this crazy republican primary stuff. They are scaring the hell out of a lot of people.

[Johnny2X2X]

19. Enthusiam

Obama has not even begun to campaign. He is the most charismatic president we've had in a long while, he's the closest thing to a global super star celebrity that there is. He'll start to campaign with the largest campaign coffers in history.

Wait until Obama starts having campaign rallies with 20,000, 30,000, 50,000 and more people all across this country, then we can start talking about enthusiasm. Obama has not even begun to rally the voters and when he does I believe you'll see political enthusiasm in this country that far eclipses 2008. In the mean time, Mitt will be throwing rallies in bingo halls while Obama sells out football stadiums.

Get ready for it America, you've not seen anything like what you are about to see. And let's ride the wave to huge election day victories all across the country at every level of government. This is our chance, this is our time!

[Obama3_16]

21. you are right!! that's what I tell my wife. When Obama pours on the campaign steam in April and

beyond....we will be amazed at how so many in this nation and around the world rally around Obama again. Getting goosebumps.