bobbyw24
10-23-2009, 04:37 PM
Low black-voter turnout threatens Dems in Va., N.J. races
S.A. Miller
Voter doldrums - especially among blacks far less energized than they were for Barack Obama's historic presidential bid last year - pose problems for Democrats struggling in the governors' races in Virginia and New Jersey.
Pollsters and election analysts expect a steep drop-off of black voters - who historically back Democrats - in the nation's two gubernatorial contests and in congressional races Nov. 3, and they predict it is likely to cast a shadow in 2010 over at least 10 House Democrats with large black constituencies.
It is part of a broader trend of waning enthusiasm among Democratic voters as the country grapples with continued job losses, a mounting federal deficit and uncertainty about Mr. Obama's plan to restructure the health care system.
About 15 percent of New Jersey voters are black. Mr. Obama got about 12 percent to turnout in 2008 but polls predict black turnout as low as 8 percent for the upcoming election. The governor's race is so tight - neck-and-neck two weeks before Election Day - that a blip in black turnout could decide the contest between incumbent Gov. Jon Corzine and Republican challenger Chris Christie.
"If Corzine can bring that [percentage] up, it is going to make the difference in a close election," said Tom Jensen, spokesman for the Democrat-leaning Public Policy Polling.
A Rasmussen Reports survey this week showed Mr. Christie with 41 percent, Mr. Corzine with 39
http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2009/oct/23/blacks-to-test-obama-effect-in-va-nj-governors-rac/
S.A. Miller
Voter doldrums - especially among blacks far less energized than they were for Barack Obama's historic presidential bid last year - pose problems for Democrats struggling in the governors' races in Virginia and New Jersey.
Pollsters and election analysts expect a steep drop-off of black voters - who historically back Democrats - in the nation's two gubernatorial contests and in congressional races Nov. 3, and they predict it is likely to cast a shadow in 2010 over at least 10 House Democrats with large black constituencies.
It is part of a broader trend of waning enthusiasm among Democratic voters as the country grapples with continued job losses, a mounting federal deficit and uncertainty about Mr. Obama's plan to restructure the health care system.
About 15 percent of New Jersey voters are black. Mr. Obama got about 12 percent to turnout in 2008 but polls predict black turnout as low as 8 percent for the upcoming election. The governor's race is so tight - neck-and-neck two weeks before Election Day - that a blip in black turnout could decide the contest between incumbent Gov. Jon Corzine and Republican challenger Chris Christie.
"If Corzine can bring that [percentage] up, it is going to make the difference in a close election," said Tom Jensen, spokesman for the Democrat-leaning Public Policy Polling.
A Rasmussen Reports survey this week showed Mr. Christie with 41 percent, Mr. Corzine with 39
http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2009/oct/23/blacks-to-test-obama-effect-in-va-nj-governors-rac/