Primaries03.zip

The 2004 Democratic Field: The primary featured a large and competitive field, including:

Howard Dean: The frontrunner in late 2003, known for his anti-war stance and grassroots "Dean Scream."

John Kerry: The eventual nominee, a Senator from Massachusetts and a Vietnam War veteran.

John Edwards: A Senator from North Carolina, known for his "Two Americas" message.

Wesley Clark: A retired NATO Supreme Allied Commander.

Joe Lieberman: Al Gore's running mate from the 2000 election.

Dick Gephardt: A Congressman from Missouri and former House Majority Leader.

Key Political Context:

The overarching theme of the primary was opposition to the Iraq War, which had begun in March 2003. Howard Dean's early rise was largely fueled by his staunch opposition to the conflict.

President George W. Bush's approval ratings were a central factor, with Democrats seeking the candidate they believed was most "electable" against an incumbent president.

What the Data Captured:

Horse-race numbers: Candidate support levels among Democratic voters nationally and in key early states.

Candidate attributes: Perceptions of leadership, electability, and policy positions.

Voter priorities: The most important issues for Democratic primary voters (e.g., Iraq, economy, healthcare).

Significance: This data is a fascinating historical artifact, capturing a moment when the primary frontrunner (Dean) ultimately did not win the nomination. It is crucial for understanding the volatile nature of primary elections and the factors that can shift voter sentiment in the final weeks before voting begins.

Access: The full data set, toplines, and analysis report are archived on the Pew Research Center's website. Searching for "2003 Democratic Primary Survey" or "November 2003 Political Survey" should yield the correct results. It is typically found under the "Politics" section and U.S. Election studies.