The Kansas City Star, Mo., Steve Kraske column

Aug 1, 2010 — The Kansas City Star

Steve Kraske

Aug. 1, 2010 (McClatchy-Tribune Regional News delivered by Newstex) -- Sarah Starnes looked out over those gathered around her dining room table and declared: "You are going to make a difference in 2010 and here on out into the future."

It was a Saturday morning in mid-July in the Hyde Park neighborhood of Kansas City. Starnes was organizing an effort to gather 50 signed "commitment" cards, preferably from Democrats, promising to vote in November's midterm election.

The push was part of a metrowide effort that day by Organizing for America, the grassroots group that propelled Barack Obama into the White House two years ago.

"We just meet the number and it's all going to be good," Starnes said before dispatching two-person teams into the streets to corral voters. "We're not going to frustrate ourselves."

So much happening on this morning was reminiscent of that magical Democratic year of 2008. The precision organization. Clear goals and detailed instruction sheets. ("If someone says, 'I can't vote,' I might ask something like, 'Do you mind if I ask why?' ") Enthusiastic, committed volunteers willing to show up even on a steamy summer morning to do the grunt work that spells success in American politics.

So much was similar, except for one thing -- the number of volunteers.

Just one-two-three-four-FIVE workers were gathered at Starnes' table that morning. A young couple strolled in 20 minutes later. Sure, it was July. Sure, it's an unsexy midterm election.

But just blocks from here at the same time in 2008, dozens upon dozens of volunteers already were burning it up at Obama's headquarters on Gillham Road in midtown Kansas City.

They started early. They worked late. They had strength in numbers, the result of an absolutely stunning burst of long-latent activism.

But just two years later in the heart of deep-blue Kansas City -- the most fertile Obama turf to be found anywhere in Missouri -- just five volunteers.

And that's the issue for Democrats this year in the metro area, in Kansas, in Missouri and across the nation.

Can they gin it up again? Can they muster the magic of 2008?

A reasonable response is: How can they?

Not with massive oil leaks and not with New York congressman Charlie Rangel's troubles. Not when the party in control of the White House almost always loses seats in the midterms.

Not with 102 Democrats opposing Obama in funding the Afghanistan war. Not with the disclosure of thousands of once-secret U.S. military documents raising new questions about that war.

Not with the bank bailout and the stimulus and the trillion-dollar deficit and the way-too-long battle over health care reform.

Not with Kansas Democrats once again failing to field top-tier candidates for the Senate and governor races. Not with a new poll in bellwether Missouri showing that 57 percent of respondents disapprove of Obama's job performance (compared with 34 percent who approve).

And this in a state that Obama barely lost in 2008 to John McCain by 4,000 votes out of 2.8 million cast.

And not when the same poll shows that 63 percent of independents in Missouri disapprove of Obama's job.

"Every bit of news is bad," said Missouri State University political scientist George Connor.

If you're a Democrat and hoping that things can change because there's still a lot of time left before November, you might want to go up an alley and holler fish.

Research shows that mindsets generally harden by this time of year.

That is, if you aren't crazy about Obama and the Democrats now, you'll probably feel about the same come November barring a huge surprise, such as a 3.3 percent unemployment rate.

"We knew the tough times were coming the second Obama was elected," said Jackson County Democratic chairman Steve Bough.

Starnes insists that enthusiasm for all things Democratic and Obama remains strong. She wound up getting her 50 signatures that Saturday.

But it took her a few more hours than expected. Citywide, the effort fell a little short of their goal.

-- -- --

The campaign slogan of the year, at least so far: The catchy "I'm a Yoder voter," a reference to Kansas 3rd Congressional District candidate Kevin Yoder.

That's based on the reaction of my 12-year-old, who has repeated that phrase more than a few times.

To reach Steve Kraske, call 816-234-4312 or send e-mail to skraske@kcstar.com.

Newstex ID: KRTB-0102-47500587