General Discussion

CatWoman

(79,302 posts) Mon Sep 3, 2012, 08:39 PM Sep 2012

Is there truly an "enthusiasm gap"?

Everyone I know is fired up, and can't wait to vote Dem this fall.

The Repubs may be fired up in their shared hatred for Obama, but for me there are 2 things driving me: I'm scared shit-less at the thought of Romney/Ryan getting in the WH, and I have the utmost faith in Obama/Biden.

14 replies

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Is there truly an "enthusiasm gap"? (Original Post) CatWoman Sep 2012 OP

huge one DrDan Sep 2012 #1

I don't understand CatWoman Sep 2012 #3

Yes XemaSab Sep 2012 #8

my sense is there is a huge gap on our side - particularly DrDan Sep 2012 #13

Given that the Obama campaign recently announced they have more donors now than in 2008 high density Sep 2012 #2

If anyone is unenthusiastic, all they have to do is look at Romney and Ryan. Autumn Sep 2012 #4

lol CatWoman Sep 2012 #5

Thank you, Autumn.. Cha Sep 2012 #11

The media likes to make things up bluestateguy Sep 2012 #6

I work for Health and Human Services CatWoman Sep 2012 #7

Yep... Don't Forget That The Media Has A VESTED Interest In A "Close" Race... WillyT Sep 2012 #9

Yes there is, Obama needs to fire people up with his convention speech Raine Sep 2012 #10

"Enthusiasm gap" on the Road to Charlotte.. Scott High School, Cha Sep 2012 #12

Youth, youth, youth... davidn3600 Sep 2012 #14

DrDan

(20,411 posts)

1. huge one

Reply to CatWoman (Original post)

Mon Sep 3, 2012, 08:41 PM

Sep 2012

CatWoman

(79,302 posts)

3. I don't understand

Reply to DrDan (Reply #1)

Mon Sep 3, 2012, 08:42 PM

Sep 2012

on the repub or dem side?

XemaSab

(60,212 posts)

8. Yes

Reply to CatWoman (Reply #3)

Mon Sep 3, 2012, 08:54 PM

Sep 2012

n/t

DrDan

(20,411 posts)

13. my sense is there is a huge gap on our side - particularly

Reply to CatWoman (Reply #3)

Tue Sep 4, 2012, 04:22 AM

Sep 2012

among younger voters

just my impression at this time - it may change after the convention, but I sense no excitement on our side right now

high density

(13,397 posts)

2. Given that the Obama campaign recently announced they have more donors now than in 2008

Reply to CatWoman (Original post)

Mon Sep 3, 2012, 08:41 PM

Sep 2012

seems to indicate the "enthusiasm gap" is something that only exists in the alternative reality created by our corporate media.

Autumn

(45,120 posts)

4. If anyone is unenthusiastic, all they have to do is look at Romney and Ryan.

Reply to CatWoman (Original post)

Mon Sep 3, 2012, 08:43 PM

Sep 2012

If that doesn't send them screaming back into the arms of Obama, then they aren't suffering from an enthusiasm gap they are just fucking idiots.

CatWoman

(79,302 posts)

5. lol

Reply to Autumn (Reply #4)

Mon Sep 3, 2012, 08:45 PM

Sep 2012

that is so very well put

Cha

(297,446 posts)

11. Thank you, Autumn..

Reply to Autumn (Reply #4)

Mon Sep 3, 2012, 09:14 PM

Sep 2012

well done!

bluestateguy

(44,173 posts)

6. The media likes to make things up

Reply to CatWoman (Original post)

Mon Sep 3, 2012, 08:50 PM

Sep 2012

and then they pay pollsters to cook up data that they want to put on TV.

CatWoman

(79,302 posts)

7. I work for Health and Human Services

Reply to bluestateguy (Reply #6)

Mon Sep 3, 2012, 08:53 PM

Sep 2012

and there's quite a few Dems in my workplace.

We can't wait to line up at the polling booths

We also like to rub the crap in the republican leaning coworkers faces.

I make it a point to email them every news story I can find that outlines the republican efforts to screw over government workers.

WillyT

(72,631 posts)

9. Yep... Don't Forget That The Media Has A VESTED Interest In A "Close" Race...

Reply to bluestateguy (Reply #6)

Mon Sep 3, 2012, 08:59 PM

Sep 2012

All of their advertising dollars are at stake... need the people to tune in to see what happens next, and which way it will go.

Raine

(30,540 posts)

10. Yes there is, Obama needs to fire people up with his convention speech

Reply to CatWoman (Original post)

Mon Sep 3, 2012, 09:11 PM

Sep 2012

hopefully that will fire everyone up again.

Cha

(297,446 posts)

12. "Enthusiasm gap" on the Road to Charlotte.. Scott High School,

Reply to CatWoman (Original post)

Mon Sep 3, 2012, 09:28 PM

Sep 2012

Toledo, OH

Thanks to The Obama Diary..

http://theobamadiary.com/2012/09/03/this-and-that-37/

davidn3600

(6,342 posts)

14. Youth, youth, youth...

Reply to CatWoman (Original post)

Tue Sep 4, 2012, 05:39 AM

Sep 2012

Particularly the under 30s. There is no excitement at all among the youth this time around.

The dynamic is different in 2012. In 2008, Obama was the young challenger to the Washington establishment who made promises of change. Over the past 4 years, the youth has been hit hard by the recession. The "millennials" are starting to graduate college and are failing to find adequate work. An increasing number are still living with parents. Many feel Obama has not made true his promises of change.

The difference is that in 2012 Obama is not the challenger to the system anymore. He is now the incumbent. These kids won't go out and vote for Romney. That's not a concern. The problem is they won't vote at all. The youth don't play the game of "lesser of two evils." If a candidate does not energize this demographic, years of statistics show they will stay home.

And Obama speaking Thursday at the same time as the MTV video music awards certainly won't help.

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