Misleading Gallup Poll On Voter Enthusiasm

I think this new Gallup poll reporting high voter enthusiasm from Republican voters in comparison to Democratic voters is a bit misleading.

The question it asks is: “Compared to previous elections, are you more enthusiastic about voting than usual, or less enthusiastic?”

The obvious problem with this question is that Democratic voters are comparing their enthusiasm level to 2008 when many were extremely excited to be voting for Barack Obama. So it’s unlikely that they will be more enthusiastic this year than in 2008, but that doesn’t mean they are not going to vote.

Likewise, many Republican voters were not excited about voting in 2008 because the McCain/Palin ticket was so extremely weak. So that they are more excited than “previous elections” doesn’t really mean that much on it’s own.

I do not doubt that there is an enthusiasm gap in favor of the out party, I think this is a natural part of midterm elections. I just don’t think it’s anywhere near as large as this poll seems to indicate. I also think that the more Democratic voters think about the prospects of letting the GOP back in power the more enthusiastic they will get about voting to keep them out of power.

A great example of this is Republican congressman Joe Barton’s recent apology to BP. This is the guy that would be in charge of regulating the oil industry if the Republicans were to regain control of the House.

This is a great incentive for every thinking American to get out and vote for the Democratic candidate in every race across the country. Not necessarily because the Democratic Party is perfect (they are anything but) but because the alternative that is the Republican Party is so extremely distasteful.

On that note: Make Sure You Are Registered To Vote (and share the link with your friends & family.)