The enthusiasm gap is not made up of vague "leftwing" folks. According to the NBC/Wall Street Journal poll it's in young voters who went for Obama in 2008:
But young voters, who helped fuel Obama’s presidential victory in 2008, are now sitting on the sidelines. Just 35 percent of those ages 18-34 are enthusiastic about the election in November, versus 65 percent of seniors who say that.
NBC News: Poll: Battle for Congress tightens between parties
Now polls come and go, and I'd view every poll with some skepticism, but this one makes intuitive sense to me. Younger folks who provided much of the effort for the Obama "movement" (at least in the primaries) had such high expectations. And then the Great Recession hit. With job prospects poor, I have no doubt that some have moved into their parent's houses, went to grad school or professional school to avoid the job market, or are underemployed or unemployed. Others still in school are worried about their futures. Others never went to college and are struggling in a bad economy.
High expectations were dashed against the reality of governing. High expectations were dashed harshly against a bad economy inheirited by the President.
It's not a left/center/right issue. I think it's an economic issue and loss of hope after believing all things were possible.
Other constituencies are returning home:
Nearly six in 10 think the country is headed in the wrong direction; just a third believe the economy will improve in the next year; President Barack Obama’s approval rating is stuck in the mid 40s; and political independents are favoring the GOP.
snip
The NBC/WSJ pollsters attribute the tightening to increased enthusiasm for the upcoming midterms by African Americans (who saw a six-point gain in high interest) and Hispanics (who saw an 11-point gain).
NBC News: Poll: Battle for Congress tightens between parties
President Obama and VP Biden are trying to reach young voters.
That disparity is a chief reason why Obama on Tuesday traveled to a rally at the University of Wisconsin, while Vice President Joe Biden visited Penn State.
NBC News: Poll: Battle for Congress tightens between parties
Now that we have identified the problem, what is to be done?
Ideological arguments likely will have less impact on non-ideological folks like these young people. President Obama's speech yesterday at the U of Wisconsin helps. There was applause when he talked about health insurance reform allowing people up to age 26 to be on their parent's insurance.
So, how do we create enthusiasm to vote among those first time voters from 2008? Any suggestions?
Update I: FemLaw makes some good points:
That's why first time Obama voters (3+ / 0-)
Recommended by:TomP, missLotus
Have been our #1 priority at OFA since May.
We have been calling and canvassing all summer to this group and will be ramping up every day until the election.
And I can tell you the first time 2008 voters are still very enthusiastic about Obama, we just have to get them to the polls. Historically this is a group that doesn't turn out for midterms. We are going to change that,
And you can help - go to my.barackobama.com and find a phonebank or canvass to join,
OR use the new call.barackobama.com link to make calls online from home.
If you are a student you can sign up to be a campus captain and help organize your classmates.
We can make our own poll on E-day if we get out the vote.
@femlaw "Change is possible" - Barack Obama to OFA vols 3/23/10
by Femlaw on Wed Sep 29, 2010 at 07:33:35 AM PDT