Exit Polls: Obama as (non) factor?

[Jennicut]

The early exit polls in Virginia and New Jersey are in (out?) and the most striking thing to us in the data is that a majority of voters in both states said that President Barack Obama was not a factor in their vote and in each state the chief executive's job approval rating was above 50 percent.

While these are early returns -- we CAN'T emphasize that strongly enough -- they do suggest that Obama's role in determining the outcome of either race (for good or bad) may have been overstated (gasp!) in the run-up to today's vote.

That doesn't mean, of course, that across-the board defeats for Democrats tonight wouldn't be cast -- at least in some circles -- as a refutation of Obama but it does provide the president's party with a potentially powerful push back assuming the numbers stay the same.

And for those who want to know what the head-to-head matchups look like in the exit polls, you're out of luck. No data about the direction of a specific race can be released until polls close in a particular state.

Until then....

By Chris Cillizza

http://voices.washingtonpost.com/thefix/governors/exit-polls-obama-as-non-factor-1.html?wprss=thefix

Obviously, this is, well...obvious.
I have only posted about this twice today.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=8730064&mesg_id=8730064
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=8730043&mesg_id=8730043

[IndianaGreen]

1. Obama is not a factor. Local issues is what is driving this election.

Pundits will do what they always do. Change the channel and watch something else.

[Jennicut]

3. I am not even watching. Just on DU tonight.

[IndianaGreen]

5. I am going to watch the remake of V on ABC

I will see what Rachel has tonight, but I am certain I will mostly watch Dancing with the Stars.

Cable networks have to fill the air with hot air, and that's all we are going to get tonight. Screw that!

[IndianaGreen]

6. BTW, I did vote today

No candidates were running. There was only one issue on the ballot having to do with a bond issue for our public hospital.

[Jennicut]

8. I voted today too, for the mayor and town council, etc.

My neighbor was on the ballot today as was his son. My daughters came with me to vote. They are only 4 and 5 but the older one was very interested, her teacher told her all about elections.

Dancing With the Stars! We watch that and American Idol but what else can you watch at 8pm with little kids? Singing and dancing, fits right in with their tastes.

[Uzybone]

2. Surprise surprise...the MSM lies again

they have been trying to pin any sort of failure on Obama since he took office. The exit polls will not stop their speculation though.

[Thrill]

4. Of course he's not. We've been saying that up here

all day.

[fugop]

7. Of course this will be breathlessly reported

... or, y'know, not.

Every pundit yammering on and on about how this is a referendum on Obama should have this stamped on their forehead.

[DrToast]

9. How could it even be a factor? These are races for the Govenor of states!

It's not like they're going to vote on Obama's agenda.