Lack of GOP enthusiasm for candidates not unusual at this stage of the campaign

GOP candidates

/ CBS/AP

Republican voters are not especially enthusiastic about the potential Republican candidates for president this year, according to the latest polls, but history shows that is not unusual at this stage of the campaign.

An Associated/Gfk Poll conducted last month found just 41 percent of Republicans and those who lean Republican are satisfied with the potential candidates for the Republican nomination, while more - 45 percent - are dissatisfied. In a recent Washington Post/Pew Poll, Republicans were asked to choose a word to describe the field of Republican candidates and 37 percent of them picked a word with a negative connotation. The most popular word choice: "unimpressed."

And a CBS News/New York Times Poll conducted in April asked Republican voters if they were enthusiastic about any particular candidate in the potential GOP field and 56 percent said no.

This level of dissatisfaction with presidential candidates is not unprecedented - particularly at this early stage. Democratic voters expressed some disappointment with their party's potential candidates back in the summer of 2003 when Democrats were gearing up to challenge Republican President George W. Bush. In a field that included Senator John Kerry, former Senator John Edwards, and former Governor Howard Dean, a CBS News Poll conducted in August 2003 found that 40 percent of Democratic primary voters were happy with the candidates, while more - 50 percent- wanted more choices.

In the 1996 presidential campaign, the last time a sitting Democratic president sought reelection, Republican voters had mixed feelings about the Republican candidates looking to take on President Bill Clinton. In January 1996, a CBS News Poll found 47 percent of Republican voters were satisfied with their choices, while 45 percent wished others would get in the race.

In both 2004 and 1996, voters became more content with their party's candidates as the primary season got underway - but not especially so. Sen. Kerry, the eventual Democratic nominee in 2004, went on to lose to President George W. Bush in a close race, and Republican nominee Senator Bob Dole was unable to unseat Mr. Clinton in 1996.

Still, dissatisfaction with a political party's candidates early on may not necessarily be a predictor of defeat in the general election. In mid-October 1991, only 18 percent of Democratic primary voters were satisfied with their candidates, according to a CBS News/New York Times Poll, while 64 percent wanted someone else to enter the race. At the time, incumbent Republican President George H.W. Bush had a 67 percent approval rating and looked unbeatable. Democrats grew more satisfied with their field as the campaign heated up, but a sizable number continued to want more choices.

It was the economy that would matter most come Election Day in November 1992. By the summer of that year a troubled economy dragged Mr. Bush's approval ratings down into the 30s paving the way for a once little known Democratic Governor from Arkansas to be elected president.

Polling shows voters generally like the idea of having more candidate choices and many will take that option when offered it. And while voter satisfaction with presidential contenders in the early going may generate enthusiasm among their party's base, a lot can happen a year and half before the general election. Factors like the condition of the nation's economy and foreign policy events are likely to have a major impact.

[AttyFAM]

This article plays down the lack of enthusiasm, but the field is too wide open and too few of them are declaring early enough to have a strong organization in all or most of the states. At this point in 2007, everyone thought that Sen. Clinton was a walk-away leader. Only Obama had an organization going as well. In Year 2000, Bush and McCain were the two front runners. Bush was organized for the campaign in 1998 and took an early lead. The point is that a candidate needs organization and cannot put it together in six months. This year, only Romney seems to have enough together to win.

[cnfrisch-2009]

Anyone heard from the Newt lately? Has he gone on another one of those Tiffany shopping sprees again?

[formrusmcsgt]

The last repub I got enthused about was Goldwater.

They haven't had another worth 2 cents since.

[meboard]

Ringling Brothers is envious!

[justme2012]

60 days until the coming OBAMA ECONONOMIC CATASTROPHE,

Does he have a plan to prevent it or handle it?

Will we ever be told?

Will seniors be able to buy food in August?

Where can we find the answers?

Anyone?

[justme2012]

I keep asking on all the different stories, if anyone can tell me where I can view Obama's budget plan to prevent us from "economic catastrophe" in August?

So far no one has a clue what Obama's plan is.

I just hope we still have a country in which to have elections next year. If Obama allows us to go into economic catastrophe will there be a government left for us to elect anyone into.

Exactly what happens in Obama's catastrophe? Does he have a plan to deal with it? Can we see that plan?

We need leadership, not this failure that is Obama.

[justme2012]

Obama gave even more tax cuts to the rich, but democrats pretend he didn't because it gets in the way of their rant.

[justme2012]

People who cut and paste and spam the board, shouldn't include their own ignorant side notes to the information. Pelosi and the democrats controlled the house in Feb 2010.

[thanksgreed]

How 'bout this from WI:

Written by
TODD RICHMOND Filed Under
Local News
MADISON - Republicans on the Legislature's finance committee tucked a host of tax changes into the state budget on Tuesday, reducing credits for the working poor and expanding tax breaks on business investments.

[justme2012]

Good for them! Create jobs not handouts.

[noloyalisti]

Maybe many Republicons are finally realizing they have been had along with the rest of us. The policies that the Cons have been pushing since Reagan have been an unmitigated disaster and the wreckage is all around us.

The Republicon Party has not done even one good thing for America is more than 30 years and they represent only the Top 2% of Americans. Their whole party is a failure and is obsolete. They generally are not wanted and have no place in the free country of America.

[RET-ABNRGR-CSM]

Hi Ms Zann - Just got back from playing in the Keanelly annual golf event the 3rd Ranger Bn conducts every year (He got killed in a Blackhawk crash) -- this year they are using the fund raising to build a memorial to the 3/75 Rangers KIA --

"meboard" I made a donation in your name as a ret AF LTC also for $100

Ms Zann -- Help me convince "meboard" to do RT in DC next May 12 -- Plus you and your husband have a Bike - Mort and the Birdman live near Manassas -- Ya'll would love it!

RLTW

[slatep]

I can't say I blame them.

But, put yourselves in the place the Democrats are in.

Their "choice" has already been made for them and he will have no one opposing him.

We will only be able to elect the lesser of two evils.

Pretty sad.!!!