A question was just asked on CNN if voters seem more enthusiastic or energized than in previous election years. The simple answer is yes.  But I was musing exactly why the voters are more energized and I realized that it’s more complicated than it appears.

Here are the top reasons I think people are more enthusiastic this Presidential cycle than in the past:

1. Finally seeing an end to the Bush reign.
2. Voters are excited to elect the first African-American President, Barack Obama.  There’s a few key words being thrown around:  momentus and historic.
3. Second to electing an African-American as president is electing the first female Vice President.  It’s definitely a factor especially considering that Sarah Palin’s running mate, John McCain, has one foot in the grave already.  Which leads me to….
4. Electing the oldest man to take the presidential office.
5. Lastly, although my gut tells me it should be higher on the list, some voters are excited to elect AGAINST the first African-American president.

This combination of race, sex, and enthusiasm to change the current Presidents policy is making it the most exciting election year in U.S. history. I’m proud to be a part of it. Vote!

Popularity: 2% [?]

Is the push for Florida paying off for Obama?

A new poll commissioned by researchers at New York University reveals that American Jews favor Democratic presidential frontrunner Barack Obama over his Republic rival, John McCain, by a 67 - 33 percent margin.

The survey, which sampled the opinions of over 3,000 respondents - half of them being Jewish - also found that Jews as an ethnic group will support Obama by almost 30 percent more than other white, non-Hispanic voters.

[haaretz]

Popularity: 2% [?]

It’s a strange vow to promise a tattoo of the New Hampshire state slogan “Live free or die” if her father wins the Presidency.I mean, no one makes this sort of wager unless they’re 99.9% sure they’ll win the bet. Which makes me rationalize that even Meghan McCain doesn’t think her father will win the election?

If Sen. John McCain wins the presidency in a little more than three weeks, his daughter said she’ll tattoo “Live Free or Die” somewhere on her body.

Of course, he would have to win in New Hampshire, too, said Meghan McCain, who was in Nashua yesterday thanking volunteers at the McCain-Palin campaign office.

The tattoo, which would probably go on her wrist, would be her way of commemorating her father’s run for the presidency, she said. It was in New Hampshire that McCain revived his faltering presidential bid during the presidential primary in January.

“New Hampshire is so important to me and my family,” she said.

Earlier, McCain told a supporter that she would be “extremely depressed” if her dad loses in New Hampshire.

…and she has her own blog too!

Popularity: 2% [?]

Is anyone paying attention to this? Republican voters? Undecided voters?

No, this isn’t an “Onion” headline:

Palin pre-empts state report, clears self in probe

On the eve of a report on a legislative panel’s abuse-of-power investigation into Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, campaign officials released their own report clearing her of any wrongdoing.

Palin, running mate to Republican presidential nominee John McCain, is the subject of two inquiries into whether she abused her power by firing her public safety commissioner. The commissioner says he was dismissed for resisting pressure to fire Palin’s former brother-in-law, a state trooper.

The “Troopergate” case is closed everyone. We can all go home now.

And the lesson learned here is that the next time you’re being investigated for abuse of power, simply absolve yourself. If Sarah Palin can do it, why can’t we?

Popularity: 3% [?]

John McCain ceded Michigan yesterday in a move that looked defeating to both Democrat and Republican voters.

Apparently it looked defeatist to Palin too:

In an interview with Fox News Friday the Republican vice presidential candidate appeared to be disappointed with the decision and said she still wants to take a stab at wining the state that hasn’t voted for a Republican presidential candidate in two decades.

She also said she made her disagreement known to top campaign officials:

“I fired a quick e-mail and said, ‘oh, come on! Do we have to call it there?’ she said. ” Todd and I would [be] happy to get to Michigan and walk through those plants [with] car manufacturers.

“We’d be so happy to get to speak with the people there in Michigan, who are hurting because the economy is hurting,” she added. “Whatever we can do and whatever Todd and I can do in realizing what their challenges in that state are, as we can relate to them and connect with them and promise them that we won’t let them down in the administration.”

Are McCain and Palin communicating at all?  This can’t possibly be another campaign stunt… can it?

Popularity: 3% [?]