Forty percent of Democrats say they ‘probably won’t vote’ in 2010

[jgraz]

Forty percent of Democrats say they ‘probably won’t vote’ next year: poll

Forty percent of self-identified Democratic voters say they are "not likely" or "definitely" won't vote in next year's Congressional elections, according to a little-noticed poll released over the Thanksgiving weekend.

The poll, which surveyed 2,400 Americans nationwide between Nov. 22 and Nov. 25, found that self-identified Republicans were three times more likely to say they were going to vote next year. The results suggest perilous fights for Democrats in the midterm elections, where the president's party typically lose seats.

<snip>
Blogger Steve Benen pulled out the key figures from the question, ""In the 2010 Congressional elections will you definitely vote, probably vote, not likely vote, or definitely will not vote?"

Among self-identified Republican voters, 81% are either "definitely" voting next year or "probably" voting, while 14% are "not likely" to vote or will "definitely" not vote.

Among self-identified Independent voters, 65% are either "definitely" voting next year or "probably" voting, while 23% are "not likely" to vote or will "definitely" not vote.

And among self-identified Democratic voters, 56% are either "definitely" voting next year or "probably" voting, while 40% are "not likely" to vote or will "definitely" not vote.

A Daily Kos blogger, who wrote up details from the poll (conducted by Research 2000 for the liberal blog site) called the disparate figures between Republican and Democratic likely voters an "enormous enthusiasm gap."

http://rawstory.com/2009/11/forty-percent-dems-probably-vote-year-poll

[Taverner]

1. Geez! This will kill us

[notesdev]

34. No, bad policy will kill us

this is simply one consequence.

[BR_Parkway]

2. We didn't intend to send Republicans to Congress, we aren't about

to make the same mistake next time.

Maybe some time between now and the election, those 'esteemed leaders' will grasp that very simple concept.

[Frosty1]

3. Well they didn't ask me.

I say more propaganda bull.

[TheDebbieDee]

8. They didn't call me either. The Ba$tards!

[SIMPLYB1980]

36. +100

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

4. Maybe they should try giving Dems something to vote for other than "not as bad".

I know it's a novel idea but, what the hell, it might work.

[FiveGoodMen]

7. They really aren't even giving us 'not as bad' anymore.

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

27. Too true. The proverbial dime has shrunk to less than a nickel.

[anonymous171]

96. Holy shit you might be on to something! nt

[VMI Dem]

5. No more lesser of two evils votes from me.

Fuck 'em.

[Lorien]

21. Agreed. It's time to think about a third party that represents traditional

Dem platforms if those who run as Democrats continue to abandon them.

[dana_b]

60. me either. I will vote

for the candidates that I truly believe in and of course the issues. Other than that, I will leave some blank.

[polichick]

6. Claiming you won't vote is one way to express disgust about the...

...faux change Dems are bringing - don't know how seriously you can take it.

I always vote because I consider it a responsibility, but I'm damned disgusted with Dems right now.

[4lbs]

11. So, not voting and allowing people who DEFINITELY won't listen to you back into power is the way

to solve things?

Good one.

[polichick]

17. I said it's how they express disgust to pollsters - doesn't mean they won't vote. nt

[katanalori]

24. THANK YOU, I AGREE

And, nice reminder (your pictures at bottom of your post) of who will be in charge if we fail to "vote for the lesser of two evils."

[Individualist]

29. We already have people who definitely won't listen to us

[mike_c]

33. clearly it's not-- but neither is electing people who don't listen regardless...

...of our support.

[Lyric]

62. Well if I had to guess, I'd say that the purpose is to make Dem leaders afraid

so that they do a better job of responding to them next time around. I don't necessarily agree with it, but I'd imagine that's what their logic is. Not voting = the only punishment (power) that voters have left.

And yet, we want to yell at the angry voters instead of the politicians whose neglect and disdain made them mad to begin with. Amazing, that.

[Winterblues]

79. Don't try putting it upon us.

If Democrats want our vote then they should act like they do. My vote is not guaranteed. It certainly is not going to any Republican but as long as the Democrats behave as if they were Republican they should not expect my vote..I don;t "allow" Republicans to gain control, it is the Democrats in Congress and the Administration that allow it...

[mitchtv]

82. the bunch in now definitely won't listen

that logic fails

[rfranklin]

12. Yes, but after the same results again and again, you have to...

wonder if you are engaging in a futile act.

[polichick]

20. True. After 30+ years of Dem activism, I would become an Independent now...

...if we didn't have a closed primary - I'd hate to miss that.

[rucky]

9. We're a mile wide and an inch thick.

[Walk away]

10. They had better start running some real Dems against those Blue Dogs...

in the primaries. And start paying attention to their base.

[Lorien]

18. +1

:thumbsup:

[whathehell]

25. Quite true...Naomi Klein on C-Span today said some very interesting

things.

She said, among other things, that Obama's is not acting wisely in terms of politics because of EXACTLY what this poll implies.

I'm paraphrasing, but her basic point was that he should "deliver" to his base, as the the Right will oppose him regardless of ANYTHING, but his base will be disinclined to support him, unless he gives them something to be excited about.

I will vote no matter what, but a lot of people are getting tired of that "lesser of two evils" shit.

[AndrewP]

28. True

[Echo In Light]

30. Do you suppose there's a very real, broad strategy to 'help out' Repubs in order to maintain.....

The two party ruse? ... cause the Repubs are cooked, done, over, fini...and our illusory, phony "rep democracy" won't work correctly (from Power's perspective) if too many side up w/the 'underdog' (even though that's not really what the Dem party stands for) because, as we're now seeing, too many realize what a sham the Dem party is ("sham" in as much as it's basically just a player in the Big $ Party, which is the only party within an oligarchy)...and so, from Power's POV, where do you go once that happens? There's a powerful Establishment interest in keeping the two party ruse alive and well.

[Individualist]

32. If you know about DLC, you know the answer to your question.

[Echo In Light]

38. "Mission Accomplished!"

ugh...

[slackmaster]

13. I guess the GOP doesn't have a monopoly on teh stoopidz

:nuke:

[Lost-in-FL]

40. or the conformist, sheepish kind. nt

[Tippy]

14. This is why the republicans want to talk about Afganistan....

"Finish health care," he writes. "Pass a jobs bill. Finish the climate bill. Re-regulate the financial industry. Finish the education bill. Pick up immigration reform. Repeal 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell.'"

The Pary of NO has found it's voice and the media is lending them a helping hand...once again...the media is running amuck that is why Democrats are saying they won't vote, or might not vote....

[HamdenRice]

15. Isn't that actually more than usually vote in mid term elections? nt

[saracat]

16. I will vote but only because my congressman is John Shadegg. Mine is a vote against him not

FOR the Democratic Party . I continue to vote and support only those Dems I know and like. Liberal values are important to me and i will not support those that violate the trust I put in them to support those values.

[Ozymanithrax]

19. In our system the only way to punish a party that is not serving the people is to

remove them from power.

Clearly, a lot of Democrats join Republicans in want to see Democrats removed from power. So those people who are not intending to vote prefer to see Republicans come back.

Interesting....

[jtrockville]

23. How would we know the difference (if Rs or Ds are in power)?

I'd rather have someone in power who will at least try to implement an agenda that's to my liking. While I'm sure the Republicans would not do this, judging from the last year, I'm almost just as sure Democrats won't do it either.

So what's the point?

[Ozymanithrax]

35. We are considering a health care bill. Republicans would not consider that.

Democrats are making changes to two provisions in the the Patriot act and refusing to extend one of them. Republicans wouldn't do that.

When it comes to foreign policy and Imperial aspirations, there is no difference. As long as the US remains an empire this will not change. Domestically, there are big differences.

Democrats are not the the far right liberals they are accused of being (excepting only in a relative sense). But their domestic policies will be less draconian than Republicans.

I choose Democrats because they will consistently follow a domestic agenda that is more in tune with what I think is right. Republicans will never do that.

[jtrockville]

65. I disagree. We were considering health INSURANCE reform, but

I don't think the bills on the table now could be considered reforming the insurance industry. So while that may be a good enough answer for you, it isn't good enough for me. So my question stands. If I (personally) can't tell the difference, why should I support Democrats?

Of course I likely will - my alternatives are to not vote, or vote for an R (unthinkable!). But it really really stinks.

[rudy23]

22. This plays right into Obama's hands. He can have his center-right presidency only if

he has a Republican Congress to "force" him into his Reagonomic policies. As you see with the healthcare bill, the idea that Blue Dogs are forcing his hand isn't going to hold water for more than a couple of years. He has to have a Republican congress so he can please his donors, and have a ready made excuse for those of us on the left who dare to criticize him.

[Kansas Wyatt]

26. That will happen when ELECTED Democrats act like Republicans.

The Pom Pom Squad can spare me the bullshit...

The American People did NOT elect a Democrat to the White House and large majorities of Democrats to Congress, to continue on with Republican Policies.

All were elected to shove the country back to the left, not merge the U.S. Government with Corporate America even more!

[Echo In Light]

31. Expect a manufactured way to 'coax' Americans' eye of that ball!!!

[Ganja Ninja]

43. Exactly.

I'm willing to let the country elect Republicans until hell freezes over if that's what it takes but I'm not voting for anymore Blue-dogs. I don't see them as an alternative to the GOP - they are GOP!

Beware Democratic candidates! Don't start bragging to me about your fiscal conservatism or I'll tune you out and won't tune back in.

[Lost-in-FL]

47. +1

[Horse with no Name]

37. It gets obvious when the progressives are relegated to the kiddie table after the election

and only the republicans get seats at the grownup tables, that time and money and effort is being wasted.

[QC]

39. Whether we vote or not, we still end up with Republicans.

How can people not be discouraged.

[Lost-in-FL]

41. +1

[Postman]

42. Obama sure knows how to energize the base with troop increase declarations and all...

and his un-leadership involving a real public option in healthcare....and his keeping on of Bush Admin. US Attorneys and his hiring of economic demolition men Geithner and Summers....

Who the hell needs Republicans?

[bvar22]

44. Lets do a quick review:

*The Democratic Wing of the Democratic Party SHUT OUT of the Obama Administration…...Mission Accomplished!

*WARS fully funded and EXPANDING. Bill sent to our children…...Mission Accomplished !

*Trillion Dollars given to friends and campaign contributors on Wall Street. No Strings Attached...Mission Accomplished!

*Military Spending INCREASED....Mission Accomplished!

*Trillion+ Dollars given to the Health Insurance Industry. Token, easily avoidable, symbolic only strings attached....Mission almost Accomplished!

*Kill the possibility for a REAL "Public Option" or REAL Universal Health Care for at least another generation....Mission almost Accomplished!

*Block ANY re-regulation of BIG BANKS and Credit Cards....Mission Accomplished!

*Protect the Bush War Criminals and Torturers from JUSTICE....Mission Accomplished.

*Throw the Dirty Hippie Peaceniks, Liberals, and GBLT under the bus....Mission Accomplished!

*Reinforce the worst Police State provisions of the Patriot Act....Mission Accomplished!

*Protect the very richest. Tell the Working Class that they CAN will be forced to compete with 3rd World Slave Labor.....Mission Accomplished!

*EFCA (Employee Free Choice Act) killed in the crib....Mission Accomplished!

*More Anti-LABOR "Free Trade"....Mission almost Accomplished!

*Jobless Recovery....Mission Accomplished

Oh YES!
I can't wait to vote for MORE of THIS!


I think the REALITY is far worse than any polls show.
I am STILL giving Obama & The Democrats the highest marks possible in every poll,
but privately and on DU I am beyond disgusted.

I have no motivation to continue working FOR my own Working Class destruction,
and this latest edition of more of the same Anti-Working Class Centrist Democratic Party Leadership is forcing me to consider a "longer view" political strategy.

[Individualist]

48. Same policies, different (?) party.

[Mari333]

55. +100000

I wont be voting again.

[depakid]

45. The politics of disappointment

This is why it's folly to pander to the right and to corporate America- especially in a huge recession- and especially after creating and chanting a mantra of change.

Chalk it up mostly to the Senate- but the administration's "done its part too."

When you refuse to stand up to the banksters and health insurers- when your impotent Justice Department becomes the butt of jokes, and when its perceived that you care more about your corporate donors than ordinary folks- this is what happens.

Sadly, Democrats NEVER learn.

On the bright side- say goodbye to the blue dogs (and likely Harry Reid and Blanche Lincoln). At least the ones who were the major source of the problem are the ones that will lose their seats.

[Lost-in-FL]

46. They only vote I am proud of is my vote for Grayson.

For the rest, looking back, I am now disgusted.

[demodonkey]

52. Well, if you don't vote in 2010, Grayson will be OUT.

YOUR choice.

[Lost-in-FL]

53. Or I can just vote for Grayson. nt

[bdamomma]

49. this is exactly what the repigs want us to do.

no way should we ever get the Repigs in again, they have caused enough damage to the country.

[closeupready]

50. Very predictable (and yes it was predicted).

n/t

[WilliamPitt]

51. Forty percent of Democrats can go fuck themselves, then

Voting is as necessary as breathing in a democracy. Vote against someone you don't like, vote for someone you do, but fucking vote.

35% turnout in the midterms is standard...and is a lot of the reason why congress is such a collection of shitheels.

No excuses.

[depakid]

54. That's what I said in 1994

Unfortunately, the Dems didn't learn anything from that experience.

[WilliamPitt]

56. ...and still haven't, apparently.

:grr:

[depakid]

69. There is still a way to turn it around and WIN

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=433&topic_id=6918&mesg_id=6918

[Captain Hilts]

58. Yep. Older, whiter, more female, home-owning Dems will turn out to vote. nt

[jgraz]

70. Good luck with that.

Until the Democrats start actually representing the people, there's no reason for the people to get out and vote for them.

[WilliamPitt]

74. I didn't say "vote for them."

Just fucking vote.

GOD, it drives me nuts.

Want to see a progressive America be born in a day? 90% turnout.

Period.

[jgraz]

77. You're yelling in the wrong direction

Most people don't vote because they think it doesn't matter. When we have the kind of weak leadership we've seen this past year, that belief is reinforced. No one will get out and vote unless they have a reason to and, so far, the Democrats haven't given people much of a reason to turn out.

[FrenchieCat]

57. Personally, at some point, I join the ranks of those who don't give a shit.

Let the people have come to them exactly what they deserve....
cause it appears that they have forgotten how bad it can be.

To those who want to spread the belief that Obama is like Bush...
Have fun! You'll have even more to be "disappointed" about
when the Republicans can bring up what issues they want dealt with
during Obama's term.

But then again, you'll get to gloat, and we know that's more important
than anything!

[jgraz]

71. You think this is the fault of the Democrats who *complain* about Obama?

Rather than what Obama has done to earn those complaints? How exactly does that work?

[FrenchieCat]

90. my job is not always find fault when there's an issue that needs rectifying.......

that's an easy job, and you are doing well with it.

[jgraz]

91. As opposed to just not giving a shit?

How is that better?

[closeupready]

80. Yes, because Bush would never have escalated in Afghanistan.

Oh, wait... :sarcasm:

[HamdenRice]

59. Which would mean Democratic turnout would be 20 percent HIGHER than usual

This is alarmist crap.

In mid term elections, the voter turnout is around 40%.

If 40% didn't vote and 60% voted, that would be 20% higher than usual for midterms and would be as high as the turnout in 2008 that elected Obama and was supposed to be a historically high turnout.

[WCGreen]

61. I think that these numbers are skewed a bit because more people

registered as Democrat last year than registered republican.

Beside that, it doesn't matter one bit unless you are looking at contested races.

There are several democratic districts that the GOP doesn't even bother to field a candidate. If these districts are included, the "buzz" wouldn't be so loud...

These general across he board congressional polls have absolutely no meaning what so ever...

[Lydia Leftcoast]

63. I understand their sentiments, but not voting is the LEAST constructive course of action

If you are disgusted with the Democrats' inability to get their act together, there are a few more constructive approaches to take:

1. Refuse all solicitations of funds from national Dem organizations and return their begging letters with a note explaining that you contribute only to candidates who represent your interests, not the interests of the Big Money Boys.

2. Support a primary opponent against your Blue Dog. Even if the opponent doesn't win, s/he will raise issues, give a voice to those who want actual change, and put the Blue Dog on the run.

3. If you can't stand either the D or the R candidate in your area, vote third party. There's a reason for this: people who don't vote aren't counted.

Say that 90% of the voters stay home. In that case, the candidate who wins 6% instead of 4% of the eligible public will claim a landslide and a mandate.

Think that's not true? I'm old enough to remember when Reagan claimed a landslide and a mandate with only 27% of eligible voters.

But if you vote third party, you ARE counted.

If things get really bad, if the Blue Dogs succeed in totally corrupting the party, I would like to see a result in which either the Ds or Rs obtain a plurality but the D and R votes are equaled or exceeded by the combined votes for the Greens, Socialists, Communists, Libertarians, whoever is on the ballot in your state. If your state doesn't allow third parties, write in someone. The tallyers will have to notice a large number of write-in votes.

If enough people do this, the major parties will run scared.

(Oh, and as for fear of losing Congress--I'd worry about that if the Dems ACTED as if they control Congress instead of looking over their shoulders to see if the Republicans approve.)

[scarletwoman]

97. Great post! I urge you to make it an OP, more people need to read it.

Your point #3 is especially important:

3. If you can't stand either the D or the R candidate in your area, vote third party. There's a reason for this: people who don't vote aren't counted.

Say that 90% of the voters stay home. In that case, the candidate who wins 6% instead of 4% of the eligible public will claim a landslide and a mandate.

Think that's not true? I'm old enough to remember when Reagan claimed a landslide and a mandate with only 27% of eligible voters.

But if you vote third party, you ARE counted.

If things get really bad, if the Blue Dogs succeed in totally corrupting the party, I would like to see a result in which either the Ds or Rs obtain a plurality but the D and R votes are equaled or exceeded by the combined votes for the Greens, Socialists, Communists, Libertarians, whoever is on the ballot in your state. If your state doesn't allow third parties, write in someone. The tallyers will have to notice a large number of write-in votes.

If enough people do this, the major parties will run scared.

(my bold added)

Anyway, yours is the smartest post on this thread. Thank you for always being such a wise voice around here.

:loveya:
sw

[Lydia Leftcoast]

99. Aw shucks!

You're a treasure, too.

I hope you can make it to a gathering some day. :hi:

[demodonkey]

64. Not voting in 2010 will allow GOP to gerrymander more seats in their favor for the next 10 years...

In many states, the legislatures elected in 2010 will create the Congressional districts after the 2010 Census is complete. Also the state senate, house, and in some cases even local officials. All these seats will be gerrymandered in favor of Republicans wherever their party wins a state house with the power to do so.

Making it even harder for real progressives to get a toe in the door.

So go ahead, DON'T VOTE, if you think there is no difference. Then sit back and 'enjoy' the next ten years YOU cause.

http://billionairesforbush.com/music/dontvote.mp3

[gkhouston]

66. Sounds like there's more than one kind of push poll. n/t

[ecstatic]

67. Kinda sheds light on why blue dogs don't bother to stick their necks out

for a disloyal/ambivalent group that doesn't even turn out to vote.

[closeupready]

83. So this is why they are cowards?

Is that what you're saying?

[ecstatic]

86. It's probably a vicious cycle

Dems are notorious for not voting, especially in non-presidential elections... Blue dogs and other dems try to appease republicans and/or the moderate dems who actually show up to the polls.

[closeupready]

89. Probably.

It's frustrating for we who really want to see results/change.

[derby378]

68. If you're a Democratic precinct chair/organizer, take a peek...

This is an e-mail that I just sent out to Democratic voters in the Texas precinct that I represent:

Howdy, everyone:

There's a disturbing report about the results of a new poll conducted by Research 2000 for the website Daily Kos. According to the poll, only 14% of self-identified Republicans will not vote in the 2010 elections, while a whopping 40% of self-identified Democrats are planning to sit out the elections:

http://rawstory.com/2009/11/forty-percent-dems-probably-vote-year-poll/

The question each of us has to ask is: "Am I going to be one of the 40% that stays home?"

Admittedly, there is a lot of disappointment and frustration with what is going on in the House and Senate, despite the fact that both are controlled by Democrats. Many of us worked our hearts out last year for change we can believe in, and so far, a lot of us are still waiting to see change.

But the Republicans have regrouped and reorganized over the summer, shutting down townhall meetings, sabotaging attempts at meaningful health insurance reform, and using the still-sluggish economy to seduce voters into handing Congress back to the GOP.

The "change" that is being offered by this new and more extreme wave of Republicans is the last thing that America needs. But the only way that we can prevent the GOP from derailing Democratic progress is by working hard to put more Democrats in office.

For starters, there are two Democratic candidates (Steve Love and Grier Raggio) who want to replace Congressman Pete "let's treat all women like smokers when it comes to their insurance premiums" Sessions as our Representative on Capitol Hill. I encourage each of you to look into these two candidates and see which Democrat would do the best job of representing you in Congress.

In the race to replace Gov. Rick Perry, there have been a lot of interesting developments on the Democratic side of the fence over the past few weeks, so check it out by all means.

On the local level, Democrats are doing their part to reduce crime, increase economic opportunity, and free the wrongfully-convicted from prison. I doubt the Republicans would be able to keep up these important and worthwhile efforts, were they to replace Democratic state legislators, judges, and our own DA, Craig Watkins.

Together, we can help keep Democrats in power and replace more Republicans with Democrats who share our values. But we can only do it together.

The 2010 Democratic Primary will take place on Tuesday, March 2 of next year - it'll be here before you know it. I hope that all of you not only vote in the primary, but also take part in the precinct convention that evening after the polls close. I'll share more information before the primary arrives.

Thank you for all of your hard work and dedication to Democrats so far. Have a great holiday season!

[Vidar]

72. Somehow I can't get excited about voting for Bart Stupak.

[jgraz]

73. You're just not a loyal Democrat.

:sarcasm:

[Lord Helmet]

75. Holy shit that's awful (but understandable).

[zbdent]

76. Get ready for "WhiteWater II - The ACORN Years"

1/4/2011 ...

[seeinfweggos]

95. i fear you are right, if the thugs take back the house, but that is unlikely

the dems will lose some seats, but not the house or senate. the gop's approval is about that of h1n1.

but yes, they would make it whitewater 2 the acorn years for sure if they controlled committees.

[zbdent]

102. I beg to differ ... Obama does not have the "liberal media" on his side ...

when do you really see the same treatment of the teabirthers that the media gives the Gay Pride Parade? Like Leno cherry-picking his "JayWalking" tapes to find the most ridiculous answers to "general knowledge" questions, the "liberal media" gives us pictures of the 400lb fully bearded cross-dressing gays as the "usual", but the teabirthers? Not such a treatment ...

[hvn_nbr_2]

78. The New Math: 81 = 3 X 56. And 168% of Repubs plan to vote.

self-identified Republicans were three times more likely to say they were going to vote next year

Among self-identified Republican voters, 81% are either "definitely" voting next year or "probably" voting

among self-identified Democratic voters, 56% are either "definitely" voting next year or "probably" voting

56% of Dems plan to vote. Repubs are 3x more likely to vote. Therefore, 156% of Repubs plan to vote.

Repubs (81%) are three times more likely than Dems (56%), so 81=3x56.

I find ignorance of fifth grade arithmetic even more annoying than ignorance of eight grade science.

[Danascot]

81. Related thread

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x7114585

[asdjrocky]

84. At this point, I'm staying home for the first time in more than 30 years.

It's really sad, but there is no one that represents the needs of the American people.

[Geek_Girl]

85. I'll probably vote dem but It doesn't matter since I live in the South East

and I'm willing to bet another repuke will win.

[bkozumplik]

87. thats got to be a tremendous relief

To the people pulling the string above both parties heads-- what they want and what makes their jobs easiest is if both parties hold about 50% of the power, that way they can pit the sides against each other and not have to use more visible means to do their work.
This way there doesn't need to be an explanation for when things dont get done, or DO get done corruptly. There's a ready made obvious reason for pretty much anything -- right in front of everyone.

Its the damned bleading heart liberal Dems!
or
Its the damned corrupt unfeeling moneygrubbing republicans!
take your pick.

So the dems will lose seats. We will all continue to be fed shite sandwiches and told it should taste like hope-and-change sandwiches.
(I love the "Its too early to pass any judgement!" arguments around here..) But hey, we are NOT chefs, Nor are we sandwich Experts, who are we to judge what we are being fed? We should wait and finish the whole sandwich before we decide what we've been fed. Actually we should finish the sandwich, then wait and see if we die of it, then decide if it was a shite sandwich or a hope-and-change sandwich.

Or the ever popular, "Obama never promised he would do X!" yeah so he never promised he wouldnt feed us shite sandwiches so eat up. Did someone say you could stop eating? Eat The Sandwich. Never mind that its just plain *wrong* to feed people shite. Wrong and right seldom enter into politics here. Its really about making money.

Obama's smart-- gifted even. If there's one thing he knows about, its how to make sandwiches people will eat, no matter whats inside. Its only about a year in, but his term is effectively coming to an end soon. He has lost his base through his own doing (that is--doing what Rahm tells him to do, I'm guessing).
Then the electorate gets screwed just like back in the Bush days, and nothing will get done as the country and our way of life circles the drain..

I guess itd be worse with mccain in office, so that's something to be cheery about, although its a year in and that is starting to be cold comfort.

I think the problem here is probably just all of us. We need to acquire a flavor for shite sandwichs, then thered be nothing to complain about.

All this being said, I'll be damned if I vote staight dem like I have in the past. Uusually if I dont know the 2 candidates well, I just pick the dem. Those days are now over for me.

[L0oniX]

88. It doesn't matter anymore. Both parties are fucked up. Fucking war pigs.

[Thickasabrick]

93. Agree - there is really no difference. It's all fucking smoke and mirrors nt

[Kid Dynamite]

92. I don't think its an enthusiasm gap

I think that 17% of people idenify themselves as Republicans. Is that enough to make them a national party?

Now, we see that 40% of self-identified Democrats won't vote. That is a contradiction in terms since there is very little to being a Democrat OTHER than voting (if that sounds shallow to you, it does to me too..but who can refute it? Heck, Will Pitt is here saying thats how it SHOULD be!). We now see that the Democratic Party is undergoing a historic collapse right alongside the Republican collapse.

Is it not possible that the third party that everyone insists is unviable or not feasible is already emerging..and it is the one that will supplant a more and more defunct Democratic Party?

[Robbins]

94. 2010

Let's assume Republicans win a narrow margain In the House,and the senate Is reduced to 51 Democrats
not counting Sanders and Lieberman.I am not saying I think It will happen.I am trying to make a point
what will happen if It does

Total gridlock.Nothing Obama wants will get there the congress.

More Invesstigations of Obama.Lieberman might even help them.The House will Investigate the birthers
claim.Some will call for Obama's Impeachment over that or Acorn.Acorn will be the new Whitewater.

They will guarante Obama's reelection just as Republicans helped reelect Clinton.

Now people need to understand assuming things will be the same In November 2010 as now are deluding
themselves.Obama Is not Bush.There will be more Improvments In Economy over the next year.

I understand perfectly disappoints over Democrats.But,you think the party of no will do any better?
In Missouri I will be voting for Robin Carnahan for the Senate and my Democrat to House.If we don't
vote you have no right to complain.

Back In 2005 I never saw this kind of attention to election a year before.And may I remind you all of
polls In 2007 of Obama losing to Hillary and Hillary losing to Saint rudy or Mccain.

[seeinfweggos]

98. i am already sizing up candidates in the primaries

and planning on voting a straight blue ticket in this red state. i don't plan on giving rick perry a pass because of a weak public option.

[Q3JR4]

100. I will be voting in local elections, but the national dems can

kiss my ass.

If you're the party in power and you want to retain that power then you need to give something to your base, otherwise your base is going to stay home or they are going to join your opposition (maybe not THE opposition but AN opposition).

This should be particularly daunting for the dems that win by the skin of their teeth.

Seriously. What else do you expect to happen? You think the people in your base are going to vote for you because the alternative is SO horrible? If you don't give them a reason to choose you over your competition, you may as well throw in the towel right now and consign yourself and your party to the trash heap.

I don't know why that's so hard to think about. Maybe the dems need to loose an election or two before they finally grow a pair and do what the American people mandated them to do.

Q3JR4.

Remembering the fallen.

[branders seine]

101. Who would an actual Democrat vote for anyway?

The whole federal government, with a scant handful of exceptions, is all de facto republicans.