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A new NBC News/WSJ poll reveals that 66% of Democrats have a "high level of interest" in this fall's midterm elections — compared to 49% of Republicans. 

Flashback: This is a mirror image of Republican enthusiasm ahead of the 2010 midterms, which resulted in a Tea Party sweep in Congress. At that time, the same NBC/WSJ poll showed that 66% of Republicans had a "high level of interest" compared to 49% of Democrats. 

Democratic enthusiasm for 2018 mirrors GOP's in 2010

2010 saw the Tea Party sweep to power in Congress.

Supporters of the Tea Party movement listen to speakers at a Tea Party Express rally in 2010.

Supporters of the Tea Party movement listen to speakers at a Tea Party Express rally in 2010. Photo: Jason Andrew/Getty Images

Politics

Democrats

A <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="new NBC News/WSJ poll" data-vars-click-url="https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/first-read/poll-shows-democrats-have-midterm-intensity-advantage-no-knockout-yet-n865916" data-vars-content-id="264d3e30-d4fe-40c8-9547-fe9081ab06f7" data-vars-headline="Democratic enthusiasm for 2018 mirrors GOP&#x27;s in 2010" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/first-read/poll-shows-democrats-have-midterm-intensity-advantage-no-knockout-yet-n865916" target="_blank">new NBC News/WSJ poll</a> reveals that 66% of Democrats have a &quot;high level of interest&quot; in this fall&#x27;s midterm elections — compared to 49% of Republicans. Flashback: This is a mirror image of Republican enthusiasm ahead of the 2010 midterms, which resulted in <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="a Tea Party sweep" data-vars-click-url="https://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/03/us/politics/03repubs.html" data-vars-content-id="264d3e30-d4fe-40c8-9547-fe9081ab06f7" data-vars-headline="Democratic enthusiasm for 2018 mirrors GOP&#x27;s in 2010" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/03/us/politics/03repubs.html" target="_blank">a Tea Party sweep</a> in Congress. At that time, the same NBC/WSJ poll showed that 66% of Republicans had a &quot;high level of interest&quot; compared to 49% of Democrats.

2024 will be an election year like no other, as President Biden seeks re-election amid economic uncertainty, two wars and questions about his age. His likely foe, former President Trump, faces felony charges and vows revenge on his political enemies. Meanwhile, Americans generally are dissatisfied with those choices and are divided over immigration, race, education and more.

Politics & Policy

Democratic enthusiasm for 2018 mirrors GOP's in 2010

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