Kos' Research 2000: 45% of Democrats currently either are unlikely to vote or know they won't vote

[brentspeak]

The Democrats, led by Obama, have really screwed it up.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=post&forum=433

In the best evidence to date that the Democratic leadership is going to have to do an immense amount of outreach to their base in 2010, the highest percentage of Democrats to date (45%) indicated this week that they are either unlikely to vote, or certain not to vote. The number indicating a likelihood to vote has held reasonably steady (at 54%) since Daily Kos started polling on this question in late November.

]

Ian Welsh http://www.alternet.org/blogs/peek/144918/why_democrats_run_from_real_change/">elaborates on this at AlterNet

[rudy23]

1. Perfect for Obama--now they can have a center-right presidency with a built in excuse.

Why in the world would the Obama admin want more Progressives in Congress?

[shadesofgray]

10. +1

[phleshdef]

2. Same exact poll shows majority approval for Obama and dramatically higher approval for Dems over Pug

Hate to rip apart the story you were trying to sell here, but since you and the jackass that wrote the AlterNet article decided to ignore that part, I feel inclined to bring it up.

http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2010/1/1/821089/-Weekly-Tracking-Poll:-The-Holiday-Spirit,-Part-III

Obama has 56 approval in the SAME poll.

Congressional Dems are favored by 40, where Republicans are favored by 17.

The Democratic party is favored by 42 whereas the Republican party is favored by 29.

Pelosi and Reid are KILLING Boehnor and McConnell on favorables.

Regardless, its a stupid time to even ask that question. Campaigns haven't even really started yet. This number, taken this month, means absolutely jack shit.

[JelloSka]

6. I believe the thread is not about Obama

As he is not running for anything in 2010.

[phleshdef]

7. I believe your reading comprehension skills and political sense needs some work.

For one the OP clearly said "The Democrats, led by Obama..."

For two, Obama IS the leader of the Democratic party.

For three, its common knowledge that the sitting President will have an extremely relevant effect on how his or her party fairs in the mid-term elections.

Aside from that, I posted numbers related directly to Democratic congressional leadership and the party in general which has everything to do with what the subject is.

[dcsmart]

16. very, very nice...thanks for this post. the facts will set us free

[rwheeler31]

3. Not voting is the most idiotic strategy I can imagine.

[Telly Savalas]

19. But if I don't vote, the all-powerful "They" who run everything

will easily figure out why I'm upset and will quickly adjust their policy stances to fit mine.

[avaistheone1]

4. kos is finally catching on.

That research has been out a couple of weeks. And the number of Dems who plan not to vote is going up in 2010.

[DevonRex]

5. And you're hoping they don't. nt

[stray cat]

8. Repub voters have always been smarter than dem voters - they know anything is better than a dem....

and will make sure the repub wins. Dem voters concentrate on how displeased they are and prefer to let repubs win so they can sit back and complain just like the last 8 years

[creeksneakers2]

9. A teabagger congress

Those who plan to stay home should think again.

[Parker CA]

11. Absolutely terrible decision, IMO. Never will I sit on the sidelines when an election comes around.

[Parker CA]

12. Delete dupe.

[zulchzulu]

13. With fuckbrains like Kos dissing Obama, who needs enemies...

What a bunch of skankified dorkishness...

[shotten99]

18. Almost wondering if ol' Kos isn't a Palin suppoter.

If someone isn't convinced this is a distinct improvement over GOP presidents, I'd suggest watching the 2004 acceptance speech a few times.

[rpannier]

14. 10 months is a lifetime in American Politics

Let's see what people are thinking 8-10 months from now

[dionysus]

15. we know it's your dream, but it won't come true.

[natrat]

17. of course-scam hcr,no turnout, rahm gets his thug congress and to the right we go

[CakeGrrl]

20. People get the government they deserve

If people want to sit on their asses for whatever reason and not exercise their right to vote, they'll of course get whatever comes.

If Democrats decide they're so righteously angry that they'll sit out because they're just voting for the other side of the same coin, they very well might GET the other side of the coin to test their theory.

[bigwillq]

21. I am voting in 2010 and in 2012 and in 2014 and 2016.

I have voted in every election on every level since I turned 18. I am not voting for Dodd, though. Not sure who I am voting for yet in that race but not Dodd. Not the repuke, either. I'll wait and see how the DEM primary shakes out.

[Jeff In Milwaukee]

22. OhMyGod!OhMyGod!OhMyGod!!!!!

This would be really alarming if the historical average turnout for an off-year election weren't less than 45 percent. Which it is....

Since the 1970's (with the notable exception of 2006), voter turnout has actually averaged about 40% in off-year elections.

Seriously, people. Google search this crapola before you make these breathless pronouncement of DOOOM! DOOM I TELLS YOU!!

http://archive.fairvote.org/?page=262