Poll: Democratic Enthusiasm Surges as Election Day Approaches

[Joanne98]

A new Newsweek poll released today provided more evidence that Democrats are not going lie down and let Republicans take control of Congress without a fight. The much discussed enthusiasm gap has been virtually closed. In fact, both registered and likely voters expressed a preference that Democrats keep control of Congress.

There are signs of increasing Democratic enthusiasm all through the Newsweek poll. The poll asked Republicans, Democrats, and Independents how much attention they are paying to the election. Republicans still lead Democrats, and Independents 69%-62%-59%. When the margin of error is factored in the seven point lead for Republicans shrinks to 2-3 points. An even bigger red flag for Republicans is that respondents stressed a small preference for the Democrats to retain control of Congress, 48%-43%. Among those who voted early, Democrats had a ten point lead 52%-42%.

The Republican frame that this election is referendum on Obama was largely rejected by the results of this poll, which found that to a majority of respondents, Obama is a non factor, (36%), and those who do see Obama as a factor are split. 31% see the vote as a vote for Obama, and 30% view it as a vote against Obama. When asked what their most important issue was, 62% answered the economy. 22% responded with healthcare, 7% the war in Afghanistan, and only 6% cited immigration as their top issue.

Another sign of Democratic revival is the increased approval rating of the President. Obama approval rating has climbed back up to 54%, which is its highest level since February. Equally significant is that his disapproval rating has fallen to 40%. As far as congressional approval ratings are concerned, neither party is popular, but generic Democratic members of Congress enjoy a 10 point approval advantage over their Republican colleagues, 41%-31%.

http://www.politicususa.com/en/democratic-enthusiasm

[azmouse]

1. Gotta love it!

:)

[Tarheel_Dem]

2. >>>>>

:thumbsup:

[lamp_shade]

3. Thanks. I needed that little uplift.

[iamjoy]

4. Kick!

Although my virtual phone banking today has been discouraging - hardly anyone is home, so I don't feel like I've made any progress. My phone shows over 90 calls today, but I don't think I actually spoke with even 10 voters.

[eppur_se_muova]

5. I think it's *determination*, not enthusiasm, that's making the difference.

Democrats don't turn on their candidates because they don't vote in lockstop. It's Repugs that do that.

[Arkana]

6. That approval rating is helped by the fact that there have been no major crises for him to be

blamed for lately. Early on it was crisis after crisis, and that does a number on your approval ratings because the media gets to beat up on you day after day.

[Kind of Blue]

7. I'm literally choked up over this.

It feels like reality is shifting forward again.
Thanks for posting, Joanne98.
KnR

[jenmito]

8. On MSNBC this morning, Alex Witt quickly mentioned this poll re: Obama's approval rating, but then

quickly talked about GALLUP'S poll which has a huge (disputed) enthusiasm gap, and she had Frank Newport on from Gallup to bring us down. After talking about Obama's "average" approval rating, Alex asked about a closing in the enthusiasm gap, not mentioning that it was in the Newsweek poll, and Frank said that DEMS. must be the ones putting out that info. (as in Dem. strategists) but dismissing it as biased. Alex let it go, not telling him it came from Newsweek. :eyes: