TPM: "I think the lack of enthusiasm among Republicans is partially about Romney, but more broadly a reflection of their discontent with the field as a whole," said Public Policy Polling (D) pollster Tom Jensen in an email to TPM. In addition to PPP, Pew numbers from early January found the same trend. "We did a national poll last week that found only 47% of GOP voters were satisfied with their choice of candidates, while 41% wished someone else would get into the race. That compares to 73% of Democrats who said they were happy to have Obama as their candidate."
"Republican voters aren't ready to run through a wall for any of these candidates, in contrast to the way Democrats felt about Clinton and Obama in 2008," he went on. "That may change once they have a nominee and the focus shifts to beating Obama, but for now Democrats are more excited for the fall."