After reviewing some recent polls, and buzzing around the blogs, I have concluded the GOP has a hard road ahead. And right now, I’m not too sure it looks so good.

A recent CNN poll shows 63 percent of Democrats are either extremely or very enthusiastic about voting this year. Only 37 percent of Republicans feel the same way, and 36 percent of Republicans say they are not enthusiastic about voting.

CNN: “Republicans are far less enthusiastic about voting than Democrats are, and enthusiasm has plummeted among GOPers since the start of the year,” said Keating Holland, CNN polling director. “There was already an ‘enthusiasm gap’ in January, when Democrats were 11 points higher than GOPers on this measure. Now, that gap has grown to 26 points.”

Well that doesn’t sound too promising. In addition, it doesn’t help when a party leader basically admits loss, and gives up on two key seats in the Senate. This is via Talking Points Memo.

At yesterday’s Christian Science Monitor forum — the same venue where he upgraded the GOP’s goal to a potential three-seat loss — NRSC chairman John Ensign was asked point-blank if the party was giving up on the open seats they currently hold in Virginia and New Mexico, where the Democratic nominees are way ahead of the Republicans in current polling.
Ensign said bluntly: “You don’t waste money on races that don’t need it or you can’t win.”

Not very optimistic. Okay, so some people aren’t enthusiastic, and Ensign is throwing in the towel on two key Senate seats. What else?

How about some long term party damage if McCain is elected. That is what Stuart Rothenberg writes in Roll Call. This is via Real Clear Politics.

Rothenberg writes: McCain’s presidency would likely divide Republicans over a number of emotional issues, either because his positions are directly contrary to many in his party (including some with daily microphones) or because he wouldn’t push divisive cultural issues that some in his party would prefer that he advocate.

All of this doesn’t look too promising. But one must not forget, the GOP does well in elections. However, if there is a lack of enthusiasm, and party leaders are giving up on seats, it shows the road ahead for the GOP will be a bumpy one, and the Republican Machine may be breaking down.