A DEM DILEMMA - IDENTITY POLITICS GONE BAD - AT 6:28 P.M. ET:  We are days away from gubernatorial elections in Virginia and New Jersey.  The Republican has a solid lead in Virginia, the race is essentially tied in New Jersey.  The Democrats have a significant electoral problem in both races, as Fox News points out:

Voter doldrums - especially among blacks far less energized than they were for Barack Obama's historic presidential bid last year - pose problems for Democrats struggling in the governors' races in Virginia and New Jersey.

Pollsters and election analysts expect a steep drop-off of black voters - who historically back Democrats - in the nation's two gubernatorial contests and in congressional races Nov. 3, and they predict it is likely to cast a shadow in 2010 over at least 10 House Democrats with large black constituencies.

It is part of a broader trend of waning enthusiasm among Democratic voters as the country grapples with continued job losses, a mounting federal deficit and uncertainty about Mr. Obama's plan to restructure the health care system.

COMMENT:  In other words, the much-vaunted Democratic political operation in 2008 may turn out to have been a one-time thing, all centered on The One, the near-deity who has brought us all this change we can believe in. 

Apparently, many voters aren't convinced.

October 23,  2009