I don't think ANYone on this board needs a lecture about complacency- Go on and feel good

[bigtree]

Even Republican Karl Rove's electoral map-watch, with the state polls reported midweek, shows an electoral vote deficit for the Republican nominee.




On average, Democrat Barack Obama's advantage over Republican John McCain in national polling stood at 8 percentage points this week: http://www.swamppolitics.com/news/politics/blog/2008/10/obamas_advantage_grows_on_aver.html

That's up from six points the previous week, Bloomberg News notes in a wrap-up of polls watched by RealClearPolitics.com.

And the average belies some big spreads recorded this week: The CBS/New York Times poll portraying a 13 point advantage for Obama, the NBC/Wall Street Journal poll showing a 10 point lead for Obama and the ABC/Washington Post poll showing 9 points for Obama.

In the more critical count of potential electoral votes, Obama also has built advantages in battleground states such as Pennsylvania and Ohio and an edge in GOP strongholds such as Virginia and North Carolina.

Peter Brown, assistant director of the Quinnipiac University Polling Institute, looking at McCain's standing two weeks out, told Bloomberg: "No one has come from this far back in this little time."



ANOTHER POLL: Newsweek poll, national presidential race among registered voters nationwide: http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5gnAeD1G3tcTSCg2_SQoM_cCRIqFgD941JTPO0

THE NUMBERS: Barack Obama 53 percent, John McCain 40 percent.

OF INTEREST: Obama's lead is as strong among likely voters, 53-41. Obama appears to be consolidating his support across demographic groups, leading in every age group and among men as well as women. In a reversal from April, when McCain led Obama among working-class whites 53-35, the poll found Obama with 46 percent to McCain's 44 percent. The survey also found that 62 percent now say they have a favorable view of Obama, versus 32 percent who have an unfavorable view.

[babylonsister]

1. THANK YOU, bigtree. Without sounding complacent, I so want to

feel happy and optimistic, finally. I'll still be gnashing my teeth til November 4th, but in a good way.

[seabeyond]

2. i am feeling good. i can feel good and do at the same time. all this multitasking

that i am. how foolish to waste the feeling good.

[Diamonique]

3. I'm feeling good and still working hard.

I'm signed up for two GOTV shifts next weekend.

GO 'BAMA!

[K Gardner]

4. Thank you !! I'm kinda tired of being lectured.. I think we're ALL doing everything we

can, and we have been diligent for the past 20 months and longer ! K&R

[tekisui]

5. Thank You!

I get sick of hearing, "Don;t get complacent. You still have to work. Don't forget to vote."

I am confident and motivated by each day and each bit of good news. knr!

[LiberalAndProud]

6. Ah, darn! I've been trying to stay on the pessimistic side.

Thanks, Bigtree. It is time to come to BELIEVE that

there is nothing false about hope.

[iiibbb]

7. I will say I like his presentation... the percent seperation in the polls is a nice touch.

[Buzz Clik]

8. the work is paying off. More work to be done. Election day is November 4.

[H2O Man]

9. A lecture, no.

But I like how Obama keeps people focused on not letting up, or taking anything for granted.

[bigtree]

11. I'd like to see a show of hands of how many folks here are "taking anything for granted"

or "letting up."

I have seen some cynicism and pessimism which I think and feel can be more corrosive than confidence. I think most of us need to feel good. We should. We've been working hard and we have an excellent candidate who's run an excellent campaign.

But, I take Obama's point.

I do think we have to continue to motivate new and younger voters to the polls. I'm not sure that a pessimistic or cynical message is the best way to accomplish that. I like the marches from the colleges and the voting clubs which move masses to the polls together. The idea to text voters as a reminder is also a good one. Also, we can benefit from our eyes and ears on the ground to direct voters and alert them to problems and concerns at voting sites.

Later, of course, we'll have to be vigilant to make certain provisional ballots and absentee ballots get counted (as well as the rest).

I think the vast majority of DUers know all of this, though. That's why we're here. :hi:

[H2O Man]

13. The problem with

a show of hands is that those who might take things for granted is that they are unlikely to be aware of it. The good thing about Obama's reminder is that it is something that each and every one of us should take to heart. It's not an insult; rather, it is a gentle reminder for us to look very closely at all of our options to contribute to the nation-wide effort to bring about a significant democratic victory at all levels -- national, state, and local.

We have a little over a week left until Election Day. While I fully agree that we don't need lectures, I like to read other DUers descriptions of what they are doing at this time. I'm open to different ideas on our options.

I'm glad we are all here, working towards a common goal, and enjoying this historic opportunity. Looking forward to talking with you in these upcoming days!

[bigtree]

14. I take his point

I do think that there is an equal value (to the call for vigilance) in projecting confidence which, I think, will be the key to motivating many new voters to the polls. So many of the new voters have been inspired to believe that a candidate as progressive as Obama could actually make it to the top and win. I would guard against any message that intends to motivate which relies on cynicism or pessimism. Those have kept many of our newer voters from voting in the past. So, maybe there has to be a balance of vigilance and confidence. At least, that's what I'd proscribe.

Enjoying my time here with you . . .

[H2O Man]

15. Right.

Exactly right: we hve reason to be confident. And that confidence is important when we do our work.

[FatDave]

10. No one on this board needs the lecture.

There ain't a bunch of likelier-to-vote democrats anywhere. But we probably know people in real life who could use the lecture. So a reminder to remind is not a bad idea.

And as I've been saying: Even if you're 100% sure he's going to win, there's lots of reasons to still vote. To prevent a steal. To counter suppression efforts. For the landslide. For the mandate.

[MJkcj]

12. I go back and forth between feeling good and worried as hell

I feel good whenever someone sees my Obama pin and tells me their story of how Obama gives them hope - total strangers and we feel so close - but I worry when I go to the local field office and make calls into VA and hear person after person tell me they "strongly support" McCain (Say what? who the hell are these people??)

I take NOTHING for granted. Too much at stake.

BTW: this isn't a lecture ... its just me rambling on and on because I tend to get so worked up over this