The Democratic enthusiasm advantage isn’t contained to the special elections; it’s national.
A new PPP poll, the 2018 picture is bright for Democrats currently, with a 19 point enthusiasm gap for the House among voters most excited for turning out next year, 57-38.
“Democrats lead the generic Congressional ballot 47-41. But what’s more notable is the enthusiasm imbalance. 63% of Democrats say they’re ‘very excited’ about voting in the 2018 election, compared to only 52% of Republicans who express that sentiment. When you look at the 2018 House picture just among the voters most excited about turning out next year, the lead for Democrats grows to 19 points at 57-38. Republican-leaning voters are comparatively disengaged, with the GOP holding advantages only among voters who are ‘somewhat excited’ (48-40) and ‘not that excited’ (46-31).”
The pollsters note that this is attributable not just to the nation not liking Donald Trump, but also Speaker Paul Ryan (R-WI) and Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) are bringing Republicans down, both underwater. Paul Ryan is at 30/53 and Mitch McConnell 24/48. The Republican-led Congress has a dismal 18% approval rating.
Trying to get rid of Obamacare is not helping Republicans either, according to the poll that finds opposition to the ACA dropping to 31%, with only 30% wanting to repeal it.
It’s early yet and obviously, the landscape can change. But part of that change will require Donald Trump working more, Republicans actually doing something to help people with their real health care issues instead of trying to repeal Obamacare again, Trump needs to release his tax returns and bring back the visitor’s log at the White House, Trump getting his act together rather than scaring everyone with his brutally ignorant foreign policy approach… and the Russia possible collusion issue looms over Trump.
All in all, Republicans earned this contempt and lack of enthusiasm the very hard way, and they continue to dig deeper by standing by their Putin appointed president no matter what.
It’s not as if Republicans have a choice, though. They couldn’t win a national election without the help of a hostile foreign power for good reason. Their party has long ago ceased working as any kind of legitimate part of a government of, by and for the people. Having ceded ground to big corporate interests for so long and run on social issue after social issue that have all seen better days, Republicans kind of have to stand by Trump because he is what they stand for now.
The resistance is fired up and ready to go. The same people who took the progress and trustworthiness of the Obama administration for granted are woke now. Since Trump and Republicans won’t be changing to fit the American people, it seems likely that in 2018 the people will be eager to let Republicans know just what they think of the white supremacist, anti-woman, bigoted regime and an administration staffed with people who could easily be in the dictionary as the opposite of the departments they head.
Backlash to change is inevitable, and Trump Republicans are what it looks like. It’s a step backward but if the people stay mobilized they can put the country in D for drive forward again.
Sarah has been credentialed to cover President Barack Obama, then VP Joe Biden, 2016 Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton, and exclusively interviewed Speaker Nancy Pelosi multiple times and exclusively covered her first home appearance after the first impeachment of then President Donald Trump.
Sarah is two-time Telly award winning video producer and a member of the Society of Professional Journalists.
Connect with Sarah on Post, Mastodon @PoliticusSarah@Journa.Host, & Twitter.
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