Democrats hoping improvements in the economy's course and the Affordable Care Act's implementation would level the playing field for November's elections should brace themselves.
A nationwide USA TODAY/Pew Research Center Poll shows the strongest tilt to Republican candidates at this point in a midterm year in at least two decades, including before partisan "waves" in 1994 and 2010 that swept the GOP into power. Though Election Day is six months away — a lifetime in politics — at the moment, Democrats are saddled by angst over the economy, skepticism about the health care law and tepid approval of the president.
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"People should start opening their eyes and seeing we're not on track," says Brenna Collins, 32, a small-business owner from Kasson, Minn., who was among those surveyed. "Not exactly saying Republicans are right but that things need to change."
By more than 2-1, 65%-30%, Americans say they want the president elected in 2016 to pursue different policies and programs than the Obama administration, rather than similar ones.
"It's huge," says former Virginia congressman Tom Davis, who twice chaired the Republican congressional campaign committee. He says its potential impact is tempered only because House Republicans already hold a 233-seat majority, including most swing seats. Even so, the friendly landscape, if it holds, could help the GOP bolster its majority in the House and gain the six seats needed to claim control of the Senate.
Their lead in the generic congressional ballot is the biggest at this point for Republicans in the past 20 years. In 1994, when the GOP would gain control of the House and Senate, Democrats held a 2-point advantage in the spring of the election year. In 2010, when Republicans would win back the House, the two sides were even.
The poll of 1,501 adults, including 1,162 registered voters, was taken April 23-27. It has a margin of error of +/-3 percentage points.
Other findings help explain the Democrats' woes. By more than 2-1, Americans are dissatisfied with the direction of the country. They remain downbeat about the economy. They aren't persuaded that the Affordable Care Act is going to help them and their families. Even the president's supporters worry he is a political liability for fellow Democrats.
The president's job approval rating remains anemic in the new survey, at 44% approve, 50% disapprove.
"I still support Obama," Sandra McSwain, 70, a retired teacher from Brownwood, Texas, said in a follow-up interview. (She identifies herself as "always been Democrat, no matter what.") But she adds, "In Texas, it is suicide to even be seen with him," noting that Democratic gubernatorial candidate Wendy Davis dodged a chance to be photographed with the president.
Of Republicans, McSwain grumbles, "You'd think these people are running against Obama, the way he's mentioned in every advertisement."Read the rest of the story HERE.
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1 comment:
about all those tea party candidates. Oh well. Good bye to bad trash, IMO. You had a good idea until your movement was taken over by crap.
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