To hear Republicans tell it, enthusiasm for President Barack Obama at the Democratic National Convention is much lower than it was four years ago and a new poll bears that out. While Democrats tend to agree that the reaction is different now than in 2008, they don’t see it as a problem for Obama’s reelection.
“There’s a different type of enthusiasm. There’s more of a determination to keep Obama in office,” said former Gov. Brendan Byrne. “The thrill of newness is gone.”
Assemblyman Tom Giblin agreed. “I don’t see the same energy level here that existed in 2008. It’s the early part of the campaign. People have to understand the stark differences between the Obama candidacy and the Romney candidacy.”
To hear Republicans tell it, Obama took his eye off the ball and should’ve focused on jobs instead of health care.
“I think that the president should focus on both health care and jobs,” said West Orange Delegate Natalie Heard Hackett. “So I don’t think that there really is a choice.”
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Paterson Delegate Georgia Daniel said health care reform is extremely important, citing her own experience with medical problems and having a disabled son. “If we did not have that needed medical care, we would probably not be here today,” she said.
One of the most influential mouthpieces of the Republican Party is the Wall Street Journal editorial page, which writes this week that the message at this convention will be four more years of more of the same.
But Assemblyman John Wisniewski doesn’t think that’s such a bad thing. “I think it’ll be four more years of progress,” he said. “I think what we’re hearing from the Republicans is that they want more of the same. They’re saying, ‘Remember the good old days of unbridled deregulation when banks could set rates and force people out of their homes?'”
Rep. Rush Holt said, “Four more years of President Obama is four more years of building opportunity for ordinary Americans,” he said.
Robert Gibbs was White House press secretary and is now a senior campaign advisor. “It’s not 2008. We’re in a different political environment,” he said. “But the truth is, we don’t have to have voter enthusiasm in 2008 to win in 2012.”
Camden Mayor Dana Redd sees enthusiasm among Democrats at the convention. “I know just with our New Jersey delegation, we’re fired up and ready to go and to go to work for this president,” she said.
Delegate Paul Bontempo agreed. “There’s enthusiasm big time,” he said. “This is the election of a lifetime and we really have to win this one for our country.”
To hear Republicans tell it, the president has failed. But you won’t find one person in this hall or in the New Jersey delegation who agrees with that.
Chief Political Correspondent Michael Aron reports from Charlotte.