Here’s an interesting finding. A survey yesterday of pro-Obama voters in Massachusetts who didn’t support Democrat Martha Coakley (either they stayed home, or they voted for Scott Brown) say their disenchantment has much to do with the fact that Democrats haven’t done enough to challenge Republican policies of the Bush years.
A Research 2000 poll commissioned by Democracy for America, MoveOn, and the Progressive Change Campaign Committee asked 500 Obama voters who supported Republican Scott Brown “Generally speaking do you think Barack Obama and Democrats in Washington, DC are delivering enough on the change Obama promised to bring to America during the campaign?”
Overall, 49 percent of respondents said “no,” 37 percent said “yes,” with 14 percent unsure.
But the more interesting finding may come from Obama voters who simply decided to stay home yesterday. They were asked, “do you think Democrats in Washington, DC are fighting hard enough to challenge the Republican policies of the Bush years, aren’t fighting hard enough to change those policies, or are fighting about right?”
A plurality, 39 percent, said “not enough,” 25 percent said “about right,” while only 12 percent believe Democrats have been too ambitious.
Obviously more than one factor contributed to the Democrats’ surprise loss yesterday, but this finding provides grist for those who disagree with Sen. Evan Bayh (D-IN) who said the lesson for Democrats is to moderate their agenda.
“The only [way] we are able to govern successfully in this country is by liberals and progressives making common cause with independents and moderates,” Bayh told ABC News. “Whenever you have just the furthest left elements of the [Democratic] party attempting to impose their will on the rest of the country — that’s not going to work too well.”
