Compar ing Early Campaign News Interest Very closely Very/Fairly closely
The 2008 presidential campaign began much earlier than usual, but public interest in the campaign is at most only modestly higher than in previous campaigns. While Democrats are following the campaign more closely than at the same stage in previous primary contests, Republicans are no more engaged than in the past, resulting in a sizable partisan gap in campaign interest.
Compar ing Early  | Campaign News Interest  | Very closely Very/Fairly closely  | Sept-Oct 2007  | 20  | 5  | Sept- Dec 2003  | 13  | 39  | Sept- Dec 1999  | 16  | Aug- Sept 1995  | 12  | Oct- Dec 1991  | 38  | Sept- Nov 1987  | 14  | 45  | Years with only one major party primary.  | Figures are averages of be tween 2 and 6 surveys  | conducted during the later part of the year 