Voter Drop Off?

" Both the White House and the head of the Republican Party. Seemed to be on the same page that the outcomes of Tuesday's elections do not constitute a repudiation of the president. But for White House officials talking about victories by Republican gubernatorial candidates was an unpleasant way to celebrate the first anniversary of president Obama's election. Senior White House correspondent Major Garrett begins America's election headquarters coverage."

" President Obama talked education in Madison Wisconsin but said nothing about election results to propel Republicans to victory governor's races in New Jersey and Virginia. He also said nothing about the democratic victory in a special house election in upstate New York. But it was that triumph in New York's 23 congressional district of senior adviser David Axelrod seized upon in an interview with fox."

" The New York 23 erase. Was the one race that was really a microcosm of the national debate. The other races in Jersey and in and in to Virginia we're really state races. A very much focused on state issues and we think it sends a message to. Two other Democrats that. We we when we stick together and we fight for the -- the right things. We're gonna do well."

" The White House the Republican national chairman and exit polls all agree the results Tuesday were not a referendum on President Obama. But independent and young voters either did not show up or voted Republican in those governors races that is a White House concern."

" There was a tremendous drop off for example in Jersey and then. In Virginia in participation by young voters whom you know voted for us in very large numbers. We need to engage our voters for 2010. And we and we well."

" Mr. Obama and Democrats had no trouble engaging independents -- the young just a year ago but the rhapsody at the moment has faded and everyone knew what he suspected. The inaugurations globe would soon fall prey to the rigors of the recession two wars and bailouts -- the president's popularity points along the way. According to Gallup the gap between the president's approval and disapproval rating has narrowed steadily. Falling from a spread of 56 points on inauguration day to seventeen in late October still his approval rating remains at 53%."

" Too good news for Barack Obama is that people like getting his brand if you like has not been. Overly tarnished or diminish to threw his first year."

" But on key aspects of presidential power mr. Obama has lost ground. Democratic pollster Doug show who worked in the Clinton White House sees signs for concern that -- the valuations. Of -- are going down going down precipitously on key measures that are critically important. To a president. Impressions of mr. Obama as honest and straightforward fell from 41% to 33%. His rating as a firm and decisive leader also fell. From 37%. Do 27%. Confidence in the president is declining to down from 61%. To 49% -- whether he will make the right decisions for the country. According to a recent ABC news Washington Post poll. Axelrod said it's natural for the president's numbers to fall."

" Well understand everything is relative to the base. Where you started I mean that the were the numbers were. Extraordinarily. High to start -- that's what happens at the beginning of a presidency but there were higher than normal. Then you know so we come down from the stratosphere I still think there's great confidence in this president. But on the left persistent criticism Ariana Huffington recently said of mr. Obama that quote. The audacity of winning has given way to the timidity of governing she has a different job than we do we actually have to govern the country and -- interest did. In moving. The country forward and making real progress and not simply in symbolic victories and it's not always gonna please everyone on the left or the right."

" But it will ultimately make this a better and stronger country and that's that's why we're here we're not here. Two to play the craft. -- hallmark of the Obama campaign was an uncanny ability to read the public mood is the Obama White House similarly skilled. After last night's result some Democrats may wander into that anxiety spoken or unspoken Axelrod told me this quote. We're not running for office were trying to move the country forward and we don't sit there day after day pouring over poll numbers wondering about fluctuations up and down. The White House -- and so Democrats shouldn't. We'll see other plays out Brett. They look a little bit then you hear a lot of the north lawn measure things."