Dems winning on enthusiasm

The enthusiasm gap is back for 2012...but now it's working to the Democrats' advantage.  PPP's last national poll, conducted on behalf of Daily Kos and SEIU, finds that 57% of Democrats are 'very excited' about voting this fall compared to only 46% of Republicans. We've found Democrats more excited about voting than Republicans on every poll we've done this year, but that's the widest gap yet. Here's how the numbers break down:

Date	% of Dems Very Excited	% of Republicans Very Excited	Gap
3/26	57	46	D +11
3/12	62	57	D +5
2/27	60	52	D +8
2/13	57	51	D +6
1/30	58	54	D +4
1/16	54	51	D +3

The enthusiasm gap between Democrats and Republicans has gotten progressively wider in 4 of the last 5 poll where we've asked about it this year. It seems that the longer the GOP nomination process drags on the wider that gap gets.

To put these numbers into some context, here's what the enthusiasm numbers were on the 3 polls closest to today's date in 2011:

Date	% of Dems Very Excited	% of Republicans Very Excited	Gap
4/11	55	58	R+3
3/28	55	56	R+1
3/14	57	63	R+6

Last year enthusiam was on the GOP's side. Now the equation has clearly flipped.

Digging in more deeply on our most recent poll by far and away the group most excited about voting is African Americans, 70% of whom say they're 'very excited' to cast their ballots this year. The two groups tied for the second most enthusiasm with 58% saying they're very excited to vote? Liberals and those under 30. Mitt Romney may win this fall but he's going to have to win independent voters by a huge margin to do it. Unlike in 2010 the Democratic base is fired up and ready to go.

Comments

[Obama 2012]

It's been pretty awesome how the debacle that has been the GOP nomination battle has made Democrats more enthusiastic about voting for President Obama (and against the terrible GOP candidates) while simultaneously dampening enthusiasm among Republican voters.

I just love watching their BS backfire on them. It's beautiful.

[Josh Berezin]

How well oes poll respondents' answer to the enthusiasm question correspond with election day turnout?

[axt113]

That's where a powerful ground game, like the one Obama is building comes into play

[Julie Nutt]

I am a democrat and if someone asked if I was enthused about voting ...I would say no...If they asked me Why? I would say I don't have anyone to vote for as President. Obama is a Republican and Mitt's a Republican. So I will vote for a third party candidate knowing they probably won't win. My greater interest are in my state elections where I want to see the Governor recalled and new Democrats elected to the legislature. I am excited about seeing more democrats elected to the federal congress. I WILL vote. I can't in good conscience vote for Obama..What a betrayer..You say will then you'll get Mitt elected. I say , what's the difference and if it is worse maybe more American's will start waking up and it will set a fire under their behind and motivate them to get involved in politics...Now that would excite me...Maybe it has to get worse before it gets better...I live out here in the middle of middle America and to bring up politics to the "regular guy or gal" you would think I was talking about being an atheist at a Born-Again baptism..And they are so horribly ignorant of what is going on. They watch Fox News and believe it like it's the Bible of News... They are pitifully ignorant of politics and hate you or call you a liar if you bring anything up. Where are these polls being taken and who is participating in them..I feel right at home reading my progressive friends articles and listening to their shows...But we aren't enough to elect the right people...The general public I feel still has to wake up. They have to feel empowered..They have to feel there vote means something..They have to get involved..People here where I live aren't doing none of this..We don't even have Democrats to run against the republicans..I really think there has to be a movement of Mass Information (the real stuff not hate, fear and fantasy) spewed upon the American public...But our media outlets aren't doing their jobs...I truly believe if people really knew how and by whom they were getting screw that things would change...My conundrum is how do I get them to even listen or pay attention as to why they have to work three minimum wage jobs with no benefits and no health insurance...