Before Democrats trounced Republicans in Virginia several weeks ago, progressive activists were questioning how effective all their organizing had been. Huffington Post's Ariel Edwards-Levy writes:
Many in red states expressed frustration that their voices weren’t being heard, while others in blue states fretted that they were preaching to the choir.
“Compared to Trump’s voice,” wrote one 27-year-old California woman, who described herself as “burned out” after protesting, contacting her representatives and signing petitions, “my voice feels very small.”
But the Virginia rout has really been a shot in the arm for the confidence of those activists, with a post-election poll showing a decisive spike in enthusiasm.
The pre- and post-election polls show progressive activists’ perceptions of their overall effectiveness has spiked 17 percent (40 to 57 percent), as has their belief that Democrats could retake the House next year (28 to 45 percent). That’s a heck of a bump, along with a 12 percent rise in enthusiasm.
And all that optimism has ripple effects.
Clinton voters who think their actions have been effective are 35 points likelier than those who don’t to say they’re at least somewhat likely to donate money to a party or candidate in next year’s election, and 33 points likelier to say they’re at least somewhat likely to volunteer. They’re also 20 points likelier to believe that Democrats will retake the House of Representatives in the next election.