Patch Poll: Missouri Democrats Energized About President Obama's Re-Election Chances

More than a few political observers have noted in the 2012 election cycle that President Barack Obama's re-election campaign has failed to match the excitement brought on by the 2008 campaign. But according to a survey of Democratic party activists in Missouri, 85 percent of those polled say they are more confident in the President's chances of winning in November now that we're through the convention season.

That is one of the findings of the latest Patch Blue Arch survey of Democratic officeholders, candidates, voters and other activists taken September 10-12. Fifty-two people were surveyed and 27 people responded.

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Fourteen point 8 percent of the panelists say their minds have not changed since the conventions.

Will that enthusiasm about the President's chances translate into turnout?

When asked if "The Democratic convention provided the party with the momentum it needs to get the base to turn out for what is expected to be a close election," 92.5 percent agreed in some way, while 3.7 disagreed. One respondent had no opinion.

Missouri Democrats told Patch in survey prior to the DNC 

What Worked, What Didn't

Former President Bill Clinton was the star of the convention in the eyes of many, with 20 of the 27 respondents mentioning his speech as a highlight.

"Bill Clinton's speech. He basically yelled at Democrats for being so apologetic," one person wrote.

Others referenced First Lady Michelle Obama's address and Sandra Fluke, who rose to promience over her congressional testimony regarding Planned Parenthood funding and ensuing comments from talk show host Rush Limbaugh.

Just as was the case in a survey of Missouri Republicans regarding the GOP convention, few respondents mentioned their Presidential nominee as a highlight. In fact, one person mentioned President Obama 

One respondent mentioned the President's "toning down his passionate style of speaking," as a misstep.

Thirteen cited problems with the party's platform which forced delegates into a floor vote to restore "God" to it, as well as clarify that the capitol of Israel should be in Jerusalem.

The Red Arch/Blue Arch Survey 

Patch political surveys are not a scientific random sample of any larger population, but rather an effort to listen to a swath of influential local Republican and Democratic activists, party leaders and elected officials in Missouri. All of these individuals have agreed to participate in the surveys, although not all responded to this week's questions. Interviews for this poll were conducted Sept. 10-12. 

Patch will be conducting Red Arch and Blue Arch surveys throughout 2012 in hopes of determining the true sentiment of conservatives, liberals and moderates on the ground in Missouri.

If you are an activist, party leader or elected official and would like to take part in a bi-weekly survey that lasts just a few minutes, please email Gregg.Palermo@patch.com.

Blue Arch Roster

Blue Arch Roster: Shelley Welsch (University City Mayor), Jake Zimmerman (St. Louis County Assessor), Bert Boxerman (Creve Coeur Township Committeeman), Tracy McCreery (State Representative), Jeanne Antoine (Olivette City Council), Missy Waldman (Olivette City Council), Richard Callow (PR Strategist), John Callahan (Committeeman for St. Charles County Township), Julie Biermann (Committeewoman for St. Charles County Township), Charissa Mayes (Committeewoman for St. Charles County Township), Jerry Daugherty (St. Charles County Councilman), Keith English (Florissant City Councilman/State Rep. candidate), Mary Elizabeth Dorsey (Florissant Township Committeewoman), Chuck Banks (Former Jefferson County Executive), Jo Ann Karll (DNC Convention delegate), Mary Broida (Fenton Committeewoman), Bob Usher (Voter), Tammy Vent (Rock Township Committeewoman), LaDonna Appelbaum (Convention Delegate), Timothy Green (State Senator), Gina Mitten (Richmond Heights Councilmember/State Rep. Candidate), Jill Schupp (State Representative), Jim Descher (Voter), Ken Curtis (West County Democrats Co-Chair), Steve Biggs (Meramec Township Committeeman), John Niemeyer (Meramec Township), Jim Frain  (Voter), Julie Dougherty (Voter), Linda Robson (Voter), Jim McHugh (Aide to former St. Louis County Executive), Molly McHugh (St. Louis County Planning Commission), Bob Burns (Affton School Board), Mark Powell (Former Arnold Mayor), John Messmer (Former DNC alternative delegate), Karl Frank, Jr. (Former Mehlville School Board Member/Activist), Donna Seidel (activist), Tom Diehl (Former School Board Member/Activist), Jim Barrett (Activist), Harvey Ferdman (Maryland Heights Township 2nd VP), Rod Jennings (University City School Board Member), Jane Dueker (Former Assistant AG/Chief of Staff To Governor Bob Holden), Gina Walsh (State Senate Candidate), Morton Todd (St. Charles County Democratic Committee Chairman), Mary "Kate" Laughlin (Voter), Rod Hoffman (State Rep. Candidate), Beverly Cowling (Voter), Bill Stinson (State Rep.), Russ Craven (blogger), Theresa Borchert (Voter), Jim Karll (Voter), Jeff Wagener (Former St. Louis County Councilman), Pat Dolan (St. Louis County Council), Stacey Newman (State Representative), Cheryl Hibbeler (Former St. Charles County Council Representative), Deb Lavender (State Rep. Candidate), Kevin O'Malley (Fundraiser/Alternate Convention Delegate), Susan Meredith (State Rep. candidate), Susan Montee (Lt. Governor candidate), Bob Burns (State Rep. Candidate), Jim Karll (St. Charles County Democrats), Gloria Nickerson (Activist), Maureen Rogers-Bouxsein (Activist)