Compared to 2004, the 2008 election doesn't seem as intense

[rhombus]

I don't know if it was the strong anti-Iraq war, anti-Bush, revenge Gore's 2000 loss, but whatever it was the 2004 presidential election was far more intense at this stage in the election cycle than 2008 election seems.

I rarely see Obama or McCain yard signs in my small town. Back then, Bush and Kerry had posters, stickers plastered in small shops and on cars etc. Everyone seemed to know there was an election right around the corner even if it was four or five months away.


2008. Not so much. Are you seeing the same in you area? I keep hearing about Obama's grassroots energy-- but where I am, there's absolutely nothing. Zero.

[RazBerryBeret]

1. it's pretty intense

here in Ohio, seems earlier than in 2004.
my neighborhood has LOTS of McCain signs.. sigh....

[Alexander]

2. I see Obama stuff everywhere, a few McCain signs and even a Bob Barr sign.

[rurallib]

3. pretty intense out here in Iowa

but it seems like Dems are doing less talking and more work this year.

[Faygo Kid]

4. Where are you? Your profile doesn't tell us.

Here in southern Maryland near DC, it's Obama country.

[rhombus]

7. small town Georgia

Kerry and Bush were going at quite heavily at this stage even though this is a red town. But I see nothing here for Obama at all.

[jwirr]

5. See some signs here in NW MN but it is early yet.

[tritsofme]

6. I've noticed the same thing in suburban Chicago.

Not very many bumper stickers or yard signs to be seen around here, for either candidate.

[PresidentObama]

8. I think you're right.

[eshfemme]

9. Hrmm... it might be that it's because the GOP base isn't "fired up and ready to go"

while we are. It's kinda hard to be into a fight when the opponent just isn't that into it. This is probably why I've never been so conscious of the incompetency of the media and probably why they skew so right nowadays. I think in 2000, they were at least more moderate, just fucking wimps because of the atmosphere of fear the Bush admin kept pushing. But now, they're all junkies suffering from withdrawal because they're all addicted to the constant adrenaline rush caused by the terror Bushco force-fed 'em.

[Midwestern Democrat]

10. 2004 was more do or die - the Democrats had lost congress, had

no hopes for gaining it back anytime soon, and Democrats were still in a state of shock of experiencing (for most, for the first time) what it was like to have the GOP control EVERYTHING. Kerry winning in 2004 was our only shot for making things somewhat more palatable (recognizing that the GOP congressional majority would still be a nightmare to deal with).

2008 is a very important election, but the consequences of failure in this election aren't quite as grave as they were in '04 - control of congress provides a very significant safety net.

[TheDonkey]

11. There was a lot more hate for Bush than McClown but that isn't a good thing

I hope people realize how dangerous McCain would be if he were president. Just as disasterous as Bush. He'd follow the same disasterous policies, pick terrible rethug judges, and his incompetence and temper would further alienate us from the world.