Gallup: Democrats Dispirited About Voting in 2012

Gallup ^ | 09/29/11 | Lydia Saad

[TonyInOhio]

Democrats Dispirited About Voting in 2012

Republicans' enthusiasm for voting matches 2004 and exceeds 2008

PRINCETON, NJ -- In thinking about the 2012 presidential election, 45% of Democrats and independents who lean Democratic say they are more enthusiastic about voting than usual, while nearly as many, 44%, are less enthusiastic.This is in sharp contrast to 2008 and, to a lesser extent, 2004, when the great majority of Democrats expressed heightened enthusiasm about voting.

Democrats' muted response to voting in 2012 also contrasts with Republicans' eagerness. Nearly 6 in 10 Republicans, 58%, describe themselves as more enthusiastic about voting. That is nearly identical to Republicans' average level of enthusiasm in 2004 (59%) and higher than it was at most points in 2008.

~ snip~

Gallup's initial -- and early -- reading on Republicans' and Democrats' enthusiasm for 2012 indicates the emotional climate surrounding that election could be quite different from the climate in 2008, when Democrat Barack Obama won, partly owing to supermajority support from several groups. Democrats' current enthusiasm about voting is not only lower than it was in 2008, but lower than in 2004, when Republican George W. Bush won re-election.

While Gallup has not been able to establish a statistical link between heightened enthusiasm and greater turnout in past elections, the party with the enthusiasm advantage generally tends to fare better. Given that President Obama's job approval rating continues to hover around 40% and that he appears vulnerable in the general election, it is not surprising that Democrats are currently less enthusiastic than Republicans about voting in 2012. However, should this pattern continue well into next year, it could be an important indicator of which way the election will go.

[TonyInOhio]

I smell burnt toast.

[AngelesCrestHighway]

Democrats dispirited?.....I can’t wait till they get psychotic!.....and they will!

[ottbmare]

True. There’s no point in y’all liberals voting; you’re going to have your collective backside handed to you. Why don’t you y’all just stay home and let the grown-ups run the government.

[Oldeconomybuyer]

I still blame McCain for this pissant administration.

[cripplecreek]

Maybe they should call off the elections till they have better chances. LOL

[Izzy Dunne]

Maybe if they didn't vote so stoopidly, they wouldn't be so disgusted by it?

Just a thought...

[listenhillary]

We could tell them the elections are called off. Some would believe it and stay home.

[Lazlo in PA]

The Regime have been pulling out all the stops to get the base on board and this is all the excitement they could generate? The Rats are in a death spiral.

[Proud2BeRight]

Is that hope or change?

[Buckeye McFrog]

I still blame McCain for this pissant administration.

You could make a pretty strong case for that. From his complete mishandling of Sarah Palin to his suspend the campaign and fly back to D.C. to save the day moment (by cramming thru a bailout 95% of the public abhorred) to his "you have nothing to fear from a President Obama" remarks.

At lest Bob Dole would have just stood there like a corpse. That approach would have done less damage.

[Recon Dad]

Democrats Dispirited About Voting in 2012

I’d prefer the following for our liberal friends,

“A man’s greatest work is to break his enemies, to drive them before him, to take from them all the things that have been theirs, to hear the weeping of those who cherished them.”
Genghis Khan

[Pride in the USA]

Those poor, dispirited Democrats. Pass the tissue, please . . . sniff.

[Col Frank Slade]

When are they NOT psychotic ?

[listenhillary]

Obama needs another pep talk telling his supporters to “get in the faces” of their friends and neighbors.

[umgud]

I still blame McCain for this pissant administration.

Don't leave out the folks who nominated McCain.

[DeaconRed]

Bestest news I heard all Month. . . . . . . .
Yes spail police BESTEST is a word - - - - In ALABAMA. . .

[ThomasMore]

It's long overdue for McLame to get out of politics.

He's yet another reason for term limits.

[Paleo Conservative]

I think they should go fishing.

[ConservativeDude]

Here is an American Spectator article that will cause you giddy sleeplessness:

http://spectator.org/archives/2011/09/28/obamas-party/

There’s also some good reminders in there for the b*&*$% and moan crowd who say that the 2010 elections didn’t matter. The House has in fact done an amazing job on every front where IT CAN ACT ALONE.

The problem is the Senate and obviously obama.

The economy will begin to move and thaw if we get a GOP president and Senate. All that GOP president needs to do is simply not veto stuff (like the obamacare repeal) and then shut the hell up and go away. I guess the president could also sign a few things as they come across, but really, that’s it. That’s all we need.

[Obadiah]

I think you just made that case in a rather compelling manner.