GALLUP: Democratic Enthusaism down sharply from 2004, 2008

[MorningInAmerica]

http://www.gallup.com/poll/156194/Democratic-Voting-Enthusiasm-Down-Sharply-2004-2008.aspx?utm_source=add%2Bthis&utm_medium=addthis.com&utm_campaign=sharing#.UBAzQkU7QFU.twitter

Most suspected it would be down from summer of 2008, but down from 2004 as well? And this could be hard for Democrats to make up given the poor projections for the next several jobs reports.

[MorningInAmerica]

This is a generalization, with all the weaknesses generalizations are prone to, of course.  But I think it's easier for voters to be enthusiastic when their guy is either running against an actual incumbent (2004) of against the outgoing incumbent's party.  Defending an incumbent, especially when the incumbent's own side has such misgivings about or is so disappointed in them, makes everything harder.  Add to that the crummy prolonged unemployment numbers, and the bottoming-out D enthusiasm doesn't surprise me at all.   

This certainly sounds reasonable.

[MorningInAmerica]

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.

[MorningInAmerica]

And face it: It'd be kind of difficult for Democrats to be more enthusiastic than in 2008.

But that's exactly what the poll says. Democrats were MORE enthusiastic than in previous elections in 2004 than they were in 2008.

[MorningInAmerica]

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.

[MorningInAmerica]

Read the actual pdf, maybe.

Please re-read this:

And face it: It'd be kind of difficult for Democrats to be more enthusiastic than in 2008.

But that's exactly what the poll says. Democrats were MORE enthusiastic than in previous elections in 2004 than they were in 2008.

Read  the underlined portion. That's EXACTLY what I said. Maybe you're having trouble with your English?