CNN Poll: Huge Enthusiasm Gap, Obama vs. McCain

A CNN Poll taken earlier this month showed an enormous enthusiasm gap, and one that will spell big trouble for John McCain in terms of ground game and turntout:

According to the poll, two-thirds of Obama supporters, or 67 percent, say they're extremely or very enthusiastic about voting for president this year.

And the level of enthusiasm among John McCain supporters?  Wait for it...

But only about one-third, or 34 percent, of McCain supporters feel fired up.

You read that correctly - 67% of Obama supporters are extremely or very enthusiastic in their support for Barack Obama.  An almost equal amount is NOT extremely or very enthusiastic in their support for John McCain.

Four years ago, there was almost no difference in enthusiasm between George W. Bush supporters and John Kerry supporters. According to the poll, 66 percent of Bush supporters say they were fired up, compared with 65 percent of Kerry supporters.

As amazing as it sounds to us now, Bush had a very enthusiastic and motivated base - which made a big difference when it came to turnout, volunteerism, and ground game.  McCain enjoys no such enthusiasm.

Does this mean we should become complacent?  Just the opposite - we need to press our advantage and take action.

We've all known about the enthusiasm gap, but this poll reveals it in pretty stark terms.