NYT: High Enthusiasm Propels Democrats

High Enthusiasm Propels Democrats

By ROBIN TONER
Published: January 29, 2008


WASHINGTON — The race for the Democratic presidential nomination may have its divisive moments, but it is generating intense interest and enthusiasm among the party’s rank and file: significantly greater, by several measures, than the Republican contest, political experts say.

In the first four contests in which both parties have competed, the Democrats have set records for turnout and substantially exceeded the Republican showing, according to state parties and state election tallies.

In South Carolina on Saturday, for example, more than 530,000 Democrats voted, nearly twice the Democratic turnout of 2004, and nearly 20 percent higher than the Republican vote the week before.

Other indicators of an enthusiasm gap show up in polls, with more Democrats than Republicans reporting excitement about voting this year and a strong commitment to their candidate, according to recent New York Times/CBS News polls. Democratic presidential candidates have also regularly out-raised the Republicans in campaign cash.

“The Democrats are having an extraordinary year in terms of raising money,” said Anthony J. Corrado Jr., a professor of government at Colby College in Waterville, Me., and an expert on campaign finance.

The meaning of all this for the November election, however, is a matter of dispute.

Democratic leaders argue that it points to a united, enthusiastic party that can expand the map of Democratic victories. Scott Brennan, chairman of the Iowa Democratic Party, said that three times as many Iowans shifted their registration to the Democratic Party on caucus day as shifted to the Republicans.

“It says people are very tired of Bush administration policies,” Mr. Brennan said. “And the Democratic candidates really energize people. People were excited to get out to the caucuses.”

more...

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/01/29/us/politics/29gap.html?hp

....to see such a huge turnout for dems. We are going to kick butt in November!

they're wrapped up in a non-issue like a handshake. I know this too shall pass, but it's disheartening to see on DU.

==Richard N. Bond, former chairman of the Republican National Committee and a lobbyist, said there was no reason for his party to “hit the panic button.” A nominee will emerge in his party, Mr. Bond said, and present a clear enough contrast to the Democratic nominee that “it will reinvigorate the entire Republican operation.”

Alluding to the possibility of Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton as the Democratic nominee, Mr. Bond added, “No one has the capacity to put the band back together again as much as she has.”==

And OT, I grew up with Richie Bond. :scared: Who knew we'd have such diverse political opinions when we grew up.

Hillary might yet prove how much of a uniter she is, and that scares the hell out of me.

..the MEDIA chose our potential nominees. The ones they don't want - get ignored. If we don't see/hear them, we won't "get excited" about them and choose them.

It's all PROPAGANDA.