This is from a Daily Kos diary, discussing the results from the Research 2000 poll they commissioned that has the whole blogosphere talking:
QUESTION: In the 2010 Congressional elections will you definitely vote, probably vote, not likely vote, or definitely will not vote?
The results were, to put it mildly, shocking:
Voter Intensity: Definitely + Probably Voting/Not Likely + Not Voting
Republican Voters: 81/14
Independent Voters: 65/23
DEMOCRATIC VOTERS: 56/40Two in five Democratic voters either consider themselves unlikely to vote at this point in time, or have already made the firm decision to remove themselves from the 2010 electorate pool. Indeed, Democrats were three times more likely to say that they will “definitely not vote” in 2010 than are Republicans.
This is big, big trouble. Can you say “progressive demoralization?”
On civil rights, economics, the war, Guantanamo, etc – Obama has done the typical mainstream Democrat thing by letting the right panic him into running away from campaign promises. Sure, there have been reasons to celebrate (such as a halt to the right wing slide of the Supreme Court – a biggie), but we’ve seen backpedaling on the marquee stuff – and are still facing disappointment on health care and likelier disappointment on climate change. The Democratic congress, too, has been unwilling to do its own part when called on, or to meaningfully challenge the Democratic President when he has signaled (both openly and behind the scenes) retreats from campaign promises. Much of this comes back to an unwillingness to play hardball with so-called “moderate” members, though in fairness the House leadership has been more aggressive than the Senate (at least for the moment).
But, we’re told, we have to be pragmatic. The obvious question, then, is where’s the pragmatism in getting our asses kicked and accomplishing nothing?
We often hear that government should be run like a business, however the “experts” applaud innovation in business but consider innovation in policy to not be “pragmatic.” In every other aspect of life, looking at what historically works and what doesn’t work before making an important decision is considered prudent, but in discussing federal policy such as health care, we’re told that’s not “pragmatic.”
And finally, looking at what actually wins elections, as opposed to what “experts” on the teevee and in the professional electioneering world tell us win elections (e.g., always run to the right) is considered dogmatic and loopy, rather than “pragmatic.”
Which just proves once again how many deeply dimwitted, self-congratulatory, bubble people there are who consider themselves elections “experts” and “professionals.” This is in no way to suggest there aren’t dogmatic absolutists on the left who couldn’t get elected in a one-candidate race, but those folks are hardly the ones in the positions of power, working so hard to bring on large-scale electoral catastrophe.
No, that would be the “pragmatists” such as Rahm Emanuel and Harry Reid.
And as a further example of that “pragmatic” thinking, don’t be surprised if the “pragmatists” who insist that if everybody would shut up, follow along, be patient and give up their silly lefty dreams still blame self-inflicted defeat on the liberals. A cool, reasoned analysis of cause and effect will always fall before the power of intellectual inertia.
Or to put it more simply, if Obama and the Congressional Dems don’t start coming through, and they all get their collective asses kicked in the 2010 elections, expect the “pragmatists” to blame it all on the liberal base for not seeing the wisdom in being more like them.
Both my kids, first time presidential voters stomped around Burlington one year ago in celebration I doubt they do it would today. The gentle but increasingly steep enthusiasm slide started this summer for me when the health care bill started to decline into middle of the road mush. For whatever reason by design or incompetence Obama let this loss of momentum on health care happen. Enthusiasm continued to slump helped along by delays on a climate change bill, Guantanamo closing and more recently his stance on the landmine treaty. Strangely donations to Democratic committees remain high despite the enthusiasm fall though money is great but can it substitute for enthusiasm.
Last July Chris Hayes in the Nation wrote the following about the health care bill but I think it could apply much more broadly now the Obama’s effect on liberal/progressive enthusiasm.
http://www.thenation.com/doc/2…
I’m not sure if I would draw the conclusion that its progressive demoralization fueling these numbers. I feel like progressives, for the most part, take a sort of pride in civic responsibility. Not to say that progressives aren’t demoralized… I don’t there is a better example of the term. But my first inclination is that its a different demographic that has become so disaffected.
I’m thinking that its the first time or de-alienated Obama voters who are the most likely to disengage with the political process. I feel like progressives are familiar enough with the unresponsiveness of Washington that the most they were doing were blissfully kidding themselves that Obama might be some progressive activist president. Myself included.
The first demographic lost IMO, are those who were just barely interested in the political process, via the Obama effect, who will barely notice what their vote has done or maybe even absorb some residual teabagger waste. They have more than enough other stimulation to divide over which to divide their attention…
But on everything else, I’m in total agreement. Its good to vent.
and the usual conservative trash spew their hate, they will come out and vote Democratic just like they did in the last election. Republicans help Democrats more than Democrats help Democrats. The Republican hate and anger will scare everyone next time just as much as it has in the past.
The left is determinedly refusing to raise its voice, and take on the right, and so we are losing all those who only listen when someone is shouting.
The right shouts “GOOD MEDICINE ONLY COMES FROM PROFITEERS!!!”
The left says quietly, “I think you’ll find that most real knowledge comes from people who seek knowledge, not money.”
But, many have already turned back to what they were doing before, and so never hear the other side.
And so it goes, with war, the economy, crime, and so forth.
We need to respect those who don’t have time, and even those who don’t have the inclination to pay attention. We need to reach them on their terms.
The right has invested years and billions turning our basic American values upside down. They got people together, decided on their objectives, and honed their message relentlessly, to make it easier to communicate.
We can set things right, because truths are, in the long run, both simpler and self evident. We just have to be willing to stop discussing, and start shouting. That does mean whittling our discussions down to talking points, but if the right can do it with lies, we should be able to do it with truth.