A new worry for Clinton: Trump's struggles may depress Democratic voter turnout

[Eugene]

Source: Reuters

POLITICS | Tue Oct 11, 2016 | 5:53am EDT

A new worry for Clinton: Trump's struggles may depress Democratic voter turnout

By James Oliphant | WASHINGTON

Hillary Clinton's campaign is confronting an emerging risk to her presidential ambitions - if Donald Trump continues to trail her in opinion polls many Democrats may simply stay at home on Election Day.

Without enough popular support, Clinton would enter the White House lacking the political capital she would need to drive through her agenda. In the worst-case scenario it could cost her the presidency if Republicans turn out in big numbers on Nov. 8.

Clinton, the Democratic nominee, has spent much of her campaign sounding the alarm over the prospect of a President Trump. She has struggled to lay out a compelling vision for her presidency and has failed to excite key constituencies, including millennials, minority voters and liberal Democrats.

Opinion polls show that many voters are backing Clinton primarily to stop Trump, the Republican nominee, from getting into the White House. If they believe he has no hope of winning, then what would their motivation be to turn up at the polls?

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Read more: http://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-election-clinton-message-analysis-idUSKCN12A2J3

[Ardoewaan]

1. Turnout is critical

but the campaign is on the ball.

[Renew Deal]

2. Bush lost and mandates were meaningless

What's more important than mandates? Actual power.

[book_worm]

3. Not likely. I know many democrats are excited to vote for Clinton and against Trump

[beachbum bob]

4. democratic GOTV efforts are superior and we all must do our part but realize

the role of the media is to sow dissent and doing what they can to make this election appear close. Its always a real concern with democrats sitting on their asses, but this time the stakes are high....

[Cha]

5. GOTV2016 like we're 20 points behind and

trump isn't a complete idiot.

[rock]

6. This doesn't sound very likely to me

Why take the chance and stay at home just because things look good? The consequences are grave if one is wrong.

[emulatorloo]

12. POLITICO is notorious for this kind of speculative anti-Dem nonsense, IMHO

[rock]

22. Yep

I didn't even mention the (non) dependability of polls.

[qdouble]

7. I disagree, I think Trump being horrible energizes the democratic base

[SharonClark]

9. Agree 100%

[catbyte]

8. Ok, I know that GOTV is critical, but I'm also SO SICK of seeing articles that spin a

Trump implosion as "a worry for Democrats" I also think the press is underestimating how much Democrats loathe Donald Trump, and will do everything they can to make sure he doesn't get anywhere near 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. Where is the evidence that if Cheeto Benito is down, that we'll just stay home? It's insulting.

[wishstar]

10. On the contrary, Trump is too scary to stay home- with Russian stuff and jailing Hillary

The very real possibility that if elected he could either go nuclear, collude with Russia or be impeached and Pence and Dominionist Fundies taking over is great impetus to get out and vote. All of my Dem friends, family and neighbors will be early voting asap next week.

[spooky3]

18. I agree

[emulatorloo]

11. Wishful thinking and speculation on the part of POLITICO

That being said, GOTV!

[stonecutter357]

13. I'm not concerned at all.

[grossproffit]

14. We registered 67 people to vote last week in AZ. The majority, Republican women voting for HRC

Many of them haven't voted since voting for Bush in 2004. Each and every one of them said that this is the most important election of their lifetimes.

It was a very emotional week. Lots of hugs and sighs of relief that they did not miss the October 10th deadline.

[oberliner]

15. The HRC team is great at GOTV stuff

It's what they do best.

[alcibiades_mystery]

16. This may be good news for John McCain

Desperate Politico seeking silver lining.

[writes3000]

20. Exactly!

[MoonRiver]

17. No way! My husband and I, plus millions, have been waiting 8 years to vote for Hillary!

I'm working to GOTV, but it seriously won't be a problem, especially after Deplorable Don's sexual assault tape. I also want to add that his comments about Ivanka is a vastly underrated negative for the Pervert. I.e., it's ok for another man to call HIS DAUGHTER a piece of ass. This has upset more women than his other despicable comments, at least among my female friends, Dem and Repub.

[spooky3]

19. Uh, polls show she is WAY ahead with millennials.

[BobbyDrake]

21. Hogwash. Especially since I already voted!!

For HRC and Democrats, all the way.

[SCRUBDASHRUB]

23. I voted for Bernie in the primary, but always planned to back the nominee.

I'm actually more enthusiastic to vote for Hillary to ensure Trump does not get anywhere near the White House.

As a woman, business owner, wife, daughter, aunt and sister, I am horrified by the crap that is spewed out of Dumpster's mouth. I've experienced the condescending behavior and misogyny b.s. from former coworkers and bosses, and it sickens me how anyone can vote for that assclown.

[NCTraveler]

24. Even Trumps epic downfall is a problem for Clinton. This shit is great. nt.

[alcibiades_mystery]

25. Par for the course at Politico

"So, Republican nominee is having a full on public meltdown and complete poll collapse. How do we spin this against the Democrats?"

"Ooooo! I know. I know! Maybe, uh, Trump's complete descent into irrelevance will depress Democratic turnout?"

"Brilliant! We can call it a 'new worry for Clinton'!" Genius, boy, genius!"

They're huffing glue over there.

[MFM008]

26. BULL

They hope.

[Blue Idaho]

27. Opinions are like assholes

Everybody's got one... at least this asshole made his column word count.