Gallup: GOP enthusiasm gap gone for 2012

With the rise of Herman Cain in October and the fall of Rick Perry, or maybe just the overall exposure of GOP candidates to those who have to call them their own, something has happened to the Republican expectations of measuring the drapes in the Oval Office. Gallup:

Republicans' enthusiasm about voting in the election for president next year has decreased, with 49% of Republicans and independents who lean Republican now saying they are more enthusiastic than usual about voting, down from 58% in September. This narrows the gap between them and Democrats, 44% of whom are more enthusiastic than usual, essentially the same as in September.

Keep in mind that you expect some enthusiasm from the "out" party, in hopes they will be "in."

Just for grins, we can also look at Intrade today:

as well as the Iowa Electronic Market (winner take all president 2012):

Things will assuredly change, and it's way too early to assume anything (including cause and effect), but when we wrote

Whoever wins on the GOP side is damaged

... we meant it.

This still looks like a close election, be it Mitt or Newt. And the economy issue has not finished playing out. But while fighting for the nomination is usual for Democrats, it's uncharted territory for Republicans. And if Romney releases the attack dogs on Newt, there's no way at this time to predict what the effect will be on the voters' enthusiasm for November 2012.

It will certainly be interesting to watch.