The enthusiasm gap, and why it matters

From the NYT:

In Iowa, Democratic attendance at the caucuses topped Republican turnout by better than 2-1, 239,000 to 118,000. In New Hampshire, where there was worry about running out of ballots, the divide was narrower but still clear — 287,000 Democrats to 238,000 Republicans.

These are hardly traditional Democratic bastions. Something is going on out there at the moment....

Look at it this way: Senator John Sununu of New Hampshire, the first-term Republican already facing a tough race against former Gov. Jeanne Shaheen, could not have been happy to count nearly 50,000 more Democrats than Republicans marching to the polls in his state.

Many other Senate and House Republicans could be put in harm’s way if the enthusiasm gap persists or expands.

“I think it is obvious that the Republicans ought to be concerned about the fact that Democrats are bringing in so many new voters and turning out so many people for these early contests,” said Stuart Rothenberg, a non-partisan political analyst.

Love her or hate her, if Hillary becomes our nominee, she will help close this enthusiasm gap.