GALLUP: Democratic Enthusaism down sharply from 2004, 2008

[stegosaurus]

I have a hard time believing that Democrats were more enthusiastic about Kerry/Anyone but Bush in 2004 than they were with Obama in 2008, or even Obama today.

[stegosaurus]

I have a hard time believing that Democrats were more enthusiastic about Kerry/Anyone but Bush in 2004 than they were with Obama in 2008, or even Obama today.

Pissed Hillary supporters who mostly came home in the end.

A 7 point swing though? I wouldn't have thought the PUMA crowd was that large.

[stegosaurus]

I have a hard time believing that Democrats were more enthusiastic about Kerry/Anyone but Bush in 2004 than they were with Obama in 2008, or even Obama today.

Pissed Hillary supporters who mostly came home in the end.

A 7 point swing though? I wouldn't have thought the PUMA crowd was that large.

For what it's worth, this poll was taken in June/July 2004 according to the site, and John Edwards was picked in early July as VP, and the Democrats held their convention around the 25th of that month. Democrats didn't hold their convention until late August in 2008. That could possibly account for the high 2004 Democratic enthusiasm. I also agree that left over Clinton-primary bitterness could account for the lower number in 2008. Remember Hillary didn't leave the race until June 7th.

Shouldn't enthusiasm have been higher with both candidates in the race and no clear loser to generate bitter supporters?

[stegosaurus]

Shouldn't enthusiasm have been higher with both candidates in the race and no clear loser to generate bitter supporters?

The time period being measured is June/July, so both candidates were not still in the race for the majority of that period.

So then, the polling was conducted in June/July rather than released in June/July? That would make more sense, being fresh into the Clinton concession.