Young Republicans More Enthusiastic About Midterm Elections

1 In an ominous sign for Democrats in the upcoming midterm elections, A <a href="http://www.iop.harvard.edu/var/ezp_site/storage/fckeditor/file/010308_IOP%20Spring%202010_powerpoint.pdf">Harvard Institute of Politics survey</a> of 18 to 29 year-old voters, reports that Republicans are more enthusiastic about voting and participating Democrats, with 41% of Republicans planning on voting, compared to 35% of Democrats and 13% of Independents.

2010-03-09T10:54:05-05:00

1415

false

true

2010-03-10T08:13:38-05:00

Young Republicans More Enthusiastic About Midterm Elections

2010-03-10T08:13:38-05:00

1 <a href="http://www.gallup.com/poll/126338/Obama-Retains-Trust-Congress-Healthcare.aspx">A new Gallup survey reveals</a> that "Americans remain more confident in the healthcare reform recommendations of President Obama (49%) than in the recommendations of the Democratic (37%) or Republican (32%) leaders in Congress. But these confidence levels are lower than those measured in June, suggesting that the ongoing healthcare reform debate has taken a toll on the credibility of the politicians involved."

2010-03-07T10:02:43-05:00

1409

false

true

2010-03-09T09:07:50-05:00

Americans Remain More Confident in Obama Than Congress on Healthcare

2010-03-09T09:07:50-05:00

1 In a series sign of weakness for the Democrats in the upcoming midterm elections,<a href="http://publicpolicypolling.blogspot.com/2010/03/obamas-drop.html"> Tom Jensen</a> reports that President Obama at present "has a negative approval rating in every state he flipped from the Bush column to his in 2008. In each of those places his level of support is now in the 44-46% range. It's probably a good thing he doesn't have to run for reelection this year. He can only hope things start turning around for him once the midterms are in the rear view mirror, much as they did for Bill Clinton."

2010-03-01T14:54:58-05:00

1402

false

true

2010-03-02T09:57:30-05:00

Obama Falling Behind in Purple States

2010-03-02T09:57:30-05:00

1 According to a new <a href="http://www.gallup.com/poll/126191/Americans-Tilt-Against-Democrats-Plans-Summit-Fails.aspx">Gallup survey</a>, "Americans are skeptical that lawmakers will agree on a new healthcare bill at Thursday's bipartisan healthcare summit in Washington, D.C. If an agreement is not reached, Americans by a 49% to 42% margin oppose rather than favor Congress passing a healthcare bill similar to the one proposed by President Obama and Democrats in the House and Senate. By a larger 52% to 39% margin, Americans also oppose the Democrats in the Senate using a reconciliation procedure to avoid a possible Republican filibuster and pass a bill by a simple majority vote."

2010-02-25T09:22:37-05:00

1394

false

true

2010-02-25T09:22:37-05:00

American Skeptical About Healthcare Plan, Oppose Reconciliation

2010-02-25T09:22:37-05:00

1 The public often forms opinion based on the overall contours of an issue--rather than inside-the beltway details--an observation that seems particularly true of its reaction to health care reform. A <a href="http://pewresearch.org/pubs/1478/political-iq-quiz-knowledge-filibuster-debt-colbert-steele">Pew Research poll</a> reveals that just 32% of Americans know the health care reform bill received no support from Republican Senators; just 26% know that 60 votes are needed to break a filibuster in the Senate. And, as other polls have confirmed, even fewer understand the basic provisions of a bill that is both cumbersome and has remained mostly unexplained to the American public.

2010-01-31T10:37:33-05:00

1357

false

true

2010-02-05T13:47:36-05:00

Public Unaware Of Health Care Details

2010-02-05T13:47:36-05:00

1 According to a new <a href="http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=122993562">NPR poll</a>, the GOP leads Democrats in the generic congressional ballot, 44% to 39%--a +5% advantage.  In 2008, the Democratic advantage in the survey was +8%. Among the most motivated voters, the GOP lead is even greater: "Most significantly, the generic ballot improves to blowout levels among the voters most interested in the elections.   Among the 70% of likely voters who rate their interest in the upcoming November elections as an 8-10 on a scale of 1-10 (where one means not interested/ten means very interested), the GOP lead on the generic ballot grows to 48%-38%.  Among 10s, it is a 50%-36% margin."

2010-01-27T09:28:27-05:00

1353

false

true

2010-01-28T10:32:38-05:00

GOP Leads Generic Congressional Ballot

2010-01-28T10:32:38-05:00

1 Republican pollster Frank Luntz fires a warning shot to Democrats in his analysis of the president's declining popularity. While his overall opinion of--and some of his ideas about--the seriousness of the dilemma now facing Democrats may be colored by ideology, two of his points about looming red flags are backed up by the results of a number of non-partisan public opinion surveys: • According to Gallup, Obama has suffered the greatest fall in approval of any elected president since the company started ongoing tracking during the Eisenhower administration. Obama came into office with the approval of two out of every three voters (67 percent) but ended his first year with just half the electorate (50 percent) offering a positive evaluation of his performance. Only the unelected Gerald Ford fared worse in the court of public opinion. • While the Republican brand has barely moved since its electoral disasters of 2006 and 2008 and remains unpopular, Democratic popularity has collapsed as well. Most surveys now have the GOP even or even slightly ahead in the generic congressional ballot, and Americans now see the Republicans to be as good if not better in handling the economy. What Luntz fails to point out, however, is that the Republican brand is suffering as well: A new <a href="http://publicpolicypolling.blogspot.com/2010/01/direction-of-gop.html">Public Policy Polling poll</a> reports that only 19% of voters nationally are happy with the direction of the Republican Party, compared to 56% who are unhappy with it. Even more surprising--GOP voters are not particularly happy with the direction of their own party: just 35% support the direction of the party; 38% say they are unhappy.

2010-01-21T14:02:20-05:00

1347

false

true

2010-01-22T09:35:23-05:00

Obama's Decline In Public Approval: How Serious A Problem For Democrats in 2010

2010-01-22T09:35:23-05:00

1 A new <a href="http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2010/01/19/2178310.aspx">NBC News/Wall Street Journal poll</a> confirms what last night's returns from Massachusetts infer: health care reform is not popular. In the survey, only 33% of Americans say President Obama's reform effort is a good idea; 46% consider it a mistake.

2010-01-19T14:22:08-05:00

1322

false

true

2010-01-20T09:18:21-05:00

Health Care Reform NOT Popular

2010-01-20T09:18:21-05:00

1 PollTrack suggests taking a look at this informative New York Times round table on the upcoming midterm elections. While certain political signs point to possibly significant Democratic loses (presidential job approval below 50%, shrinking Democratic partisan identification, a GOP lead on the Congressional Generic ballot), it is still too early to tell. An improved economy--and an uptick in job creation--could well benefit the Democrats (ten months is a relatively long time in the politics of the Internet age). Or continued stagnation may well add seats to the GOP column. Will shrinking Democratic turnout--relative to last year's wave of enthusiasm for candidate Obama--ultimately hurt the party in power or will Democrats, still weary from 8-years of George W. Bush, turn out in sufficient numbers to keep things stable? <a href="http://roomfordebate.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/01/06/whats-the-outlook-for-democrats/">Click here for the complete NYT round table. </a>

2010-01-07T15:46:13-05:00

1294

false

true

2010-01-08T10:20:11-05:00

Midterm Elections: Too Early To Tell

2010-01-08T10:20:11-05:00

1 According to a new <a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/11/17/AR2009111700021.html?hpid=topnews">Washington Post/ABC News poll</a>, Americans are evenly and "deeply" divided" on the heath care reform proposals before Congress: 48% support the proposed changes while 49% are opposed. One positive sign for supporters of the legislation: "The Democrats have made some progress among at least one key group. Support among senior citizens, while still broadly negative, is up 13 points since September to 44%. Seniors have also tilted back toward Obama when matched head to head with congressional Republicans on dealing with health-care reform, helping the president to a 13-point advantage over the GOP on this issue."

2009-11-17T10:21:21-05:00

1223

false

true

2009-11-18T09:06:17-05:00

Americans Evenly Divided On Health Care Reform

2009-11-18T10:38:45-05:00

1 <a href="http://www.rollcall.com/issues/55_56/rothenberg/40567-1.html">Veteran analyst Stu Rothenberg, analyzing the rest of the 2009 off-year races, argues that the Democratic brand may be in trouble in the 2010 midterm elections</a>: "Now it will be the GOP who can push the “culture of corruption” argument that Democrats used so successfully in the recent past. Now Republicans will complain about high unemployment numbers, about causalities in Afghanistan and the administration’s foreign policy and about the government’s inability to get H1N1 flu shots to the American public. Moreover, as we are already seeing with health care reform, the internal contradictions of the Democratic Party are becoming apparent. For the past year, the national media have been focused on internal Republican divisions. But now, a fracturing in the Democratic ranks is likely to give plenty of fodder for journalists, columnists and talking heads. This is likely to further erode Democratic poll numbers." Rothenberg also points out that such shifts in voter sentiment, away from the party principally in power, are fairly common in midterm cycles: "There is nothing unnatural about this, of course. It’s the inevitable result of a party gaining more than 50 seats over the past four years, including in districts that are conservative and lean Republican. And it always happens when one party controls both chambers of Congress and the White House."

2009-11-16T10:41:09-05:00

1222

false

true

2009-11-17T09:53:00-05:00

Democrats In Trouble In 2010?

2009-11-17T09:53:00-05:00

1 According to Gallup, Americans are uncertain about the health care proposals winding their way through congress: "Americans are evenly split on the potential impact of new health care legislation, should it ultimately be passed into law. Forty-one percent say a new health care bill would make the U.S. health care system better in the long run, while 40% say it would make things worse . . . Americans are more negative about the impact of a new health care bill on their personal situations than they are about its impact on the nation as a whole. By a 10-point margin, Americans are more likely to say a new bill would make their personal health care situations worse (36%), rather than better (26%). Almost 4 out of 10 say a bill would make no difference, or have no opinion on the topic."

2009-11-10T10:26:57-05:00

1212

false

true

2009-11-13T09:12:33-05:00

Americans Divided On Health Care

2009-11-13T09:12:33-05:00

1 <a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/10/19/AR2009101902451.html?hpid=topnews">According to a new Washington Post/ABC News poll</a>, "support for a government-run health-care plan to compete with private insurers has rebounded from its summertime lows and wins clear majority support from the public. . . On the issue that has been perhaps the most pronounced flash point in the national debate, 57 percent of all Americans now favor a public insurance option, while 40 percent oppose it. Support has risen since mid-August, when a bare majority, 52 percent, said they favored it. . . .If a public plan were run by the states and available only to those who lack affordable private options, support for it jumps to 76 percent. Under those circumstances, even a majority of Republicans, 56 percent, would be in favor of it, about double their level of support without such a limitation."

2009-10-19T23:33:17-04:00

1137

false

true

2009-10-20T09:57:26-04:00

Support For "Public Option" Remains High

2009-10-20T09:57:26-04:00

1 <div><a href="http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/current_events/healthcare/september_2009/health_care_reform">While somewhat a odds with recent polling from other organizations, Rasmussen reports that "44% of voters nationwide now favor the health care reform plan proposed by President Obama and congressional Democrats</a>. That's little changed from a week ago.The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 50% are opposed to the plan. The numbers have been remarkably stable throughout the debate"Rasmussen continues: "Last week, support for the plan rose to 46%, up five points from a week earlier. With the exception of “bounces” following a couple of nationally televised presidential appearances, it was the first time support for the congressional health care effort had risen."</div>

2009-10-13T13:29:00-04:00

1130

false

true

2009-10-14T09:49:58-04:00

Rasmussen: Voters Split on Health Care Plan

2009-10-14T09:49:58-04:00

1 Last weeks polling from Rasmussen Reports on the subject of health care reform suggests a mixed bag for proponents and opponents of the plan now before congress: "Sometimes, as the old saying goes, the devil's in the details.Most U.S. voters (54%) believe that major changes are needed in the U.S. health care system. Sixty-one percent (61%) say it's important for Congress to pass health care legislation this year. The problem is that just 41% of voters nationwide now favor the health care reform plan proposed by President Obama and congressional Democrats." <a href="Sometimes, as the old saying goes, the devil's in the details.Most U.S. voters (54%) believe that major changes are needed in the U.S. health care system. Sixty-one percent (61%) say it's important for Congress to pass health care legislation this year. The problem is that just 41% of voters nationwide now favor the health care reform plan proposed by President Obama and congressional Democrats.">For more of Rasmussen's analysis, click here.  </a>

2009-10-04T10:54:20-04:00

1115

false

true

2009-10-08T11:01:32-04:00

Mixed Bag In Public's Attitude About Health Care Reform

2009-10-08T11:01:32-04:00

1 <a href="http://www.gallup.com/poll/123491/Approval-Congress-Falls-21-Driven-Democrats.aspx">According to a new Gallup survey</a>, "Americans' approval of Congress is at 21% this month, down from last month’s 31% and from the recent high of 39% in March. Most of this change is due to a steep 18-point decline in approval among Democrats, from 54% in September to 36% now. At 9%, Republicans’ approval is down just slightly." Here is Gallup's month by month chart:   <img src="http://sas-origin.onstreammedia.com/origin/gallupinc/GallupSpaces/Production/Cms/POLL/odbetadjn0chxe0eh2ysya.gif" border="0" alt="Congressional Approval -- 2009 Trend" hspace="0" width="498" height="306" />

2009-10-06T20:04:57-04:00

1121

false

true

2009-10-07T09:38:51-04:00

Public Approval Of Congress Drops to 21%

2009-10-07T09:38:51-04:00

1 According to a new Rasmussen Reports survey, "83% of U.S. voters say legislation should be posted online in final form and available for everyone to read before Congress votes on it. The only exception would be for extreme emergencies. . . the national telephone survey finds only 6% of voters disagree with this approach while 10% are not sure."

2009-09-30T11:32:00-04:00

1111

false

true

2009-10-02T09:38:06-04:00

US Voters Want Congress To Post Bills Online

2009-10-02T09:38:06-04:00

1 <a href="http://www.gallup.com/poll/123011/Parties-Congress-Near-Record-Low-Approval.aspx?CSTS=alert">According to a new New USA Today/Gallup</a> survey, the approval ratings of the two major parties in Congress are at near record lows. The Democrats fare slightly better than the Republicans, in line with the pattern in recent years. 36% of Americans approve of how the Democrats in Congress are doing their job; 27% approve of the Republicans. However, both parties' ratings are down significantly from earlier this year, returning them to the record-low levels seen in 2007 and 2008. Here is Gallup's chart:   <img src="http://sas-origin.onstreammedia.com/origin/gallupinc/GallupSpaces/Production/Cms/POLL/4pexvcrl0uwofdbuenmagw.gif" border="0" alt="4pexvcrl0uwofdbuenmagw" width="564" height="328" />

2009-09-20T09:50:41-04:00

1099

false

true

2009-09-22T09:03:43-04:00

Both Parties In Congress Are Near Record Low Appoval

2009-09-22T09:03:43-04:00

1 <a href="http://www.gallup.com/poll/122969/Many-Americans-Doubt-Costs-Benefits-Healthcare-Reform.aspx?CSTS=alert">To a considerable degree, Americans remain uncertain about the scope and cost of health care proposals now being considered by Congress, according to a new Gallup poll</a>: "Americans are skeptical that President Obama's health care plan will be able to accomplish all he intends -- to expand coverage to nearly all Americans without raising taxes on middle-class Americans or affecting the quality of care. 38% believe his plan will achieve all of these goals, while 60% do not think it will. Republicans are nearly united in thinking the plan will not accomplish these stated goals (90% believe it will not), and most independents (64%) agree. Two in three Democrats (66%), on the other hand, express optimism that the plan will achieve these aims . . . Less than a majority [of all polled, 43%] say they are confident that Obama's plan can be paid for mostly through cost savings in Medicare and other parts of the healthcare system, as Obama has proposed. 11% are very confident of this." Significantly, the survey concludes that "Although the public stops short of saying reform will make these things worse -- given that about one in five expect the reforms not to make a difference either way -- in three of the four areas, more predict health care legislation would make the situation worse rather than better. These are key considerations given that support for a healthcare plan -- <a href="http://www.gallup.com/poll/122957/Healthcare-Bill-Supporters-Cite-Uninsured-Foes-Big-Govt.aspx">currently 50%, including "soft" support</a> -- could drop considerably if Americans were convinced that reform would have a harmful effect on the middle class through higher taxes, higher costs for health care, or reduced coverage or quality of care."

2009-09-17T09:26:04-04:00

1094

false

true

2009-09-18T09:19:18-04:00

Americans Somewhat Skeptical About Healthcare Proposals

2009-09-18T09:19:18-04:00

1 Analyzing a just released national poll from <a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/politics/polls/postpoll_091309.html?sid=ST2009091400007">ABC News/Washington Post</a>, <a href="http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/polltracker/2009/09/public-gives-democrats-points.html">CQ Politics spots an ominous sign</a> for the GOP: Americans perceive the party as obstructionist. CQ writes: "Republicans are viewed as obstructionists who are not making a good faith effort to cooperate with Democrats in the health care debate, according to [the survey]. The same poll found that half the respondents thought Democrats were making an honest effort to cooperate with Republicans on health care. Sixty-two percent of the respondents said the Republicans were not negotiating in good faith. But if there is any political blow back from this, it's hard to find. People were evenly divided on whether they would vote for (22 percent) or against (23 percent) a congressional candidate who supports the Democrats' health overhaul plan, with 54 percent saying it would make no difference to them. Forty-nine percent said they think the two parties are equally to blame for the tone of the debate."

2009-09-14T13:02:33-04:00

1090

false

true

2009-09-16T09:18:47-04:00

Americans Perceive The GOP AS Obstructionist

2009-09-16T09:18:47-04:00

1 <a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/09/05/AR2009090501361.html?nav=hcmodule">The Washington Post wonders whether Colorado, a new and potent bellwether of national partisan support, is slipping away from the Democrats</a>: "In 2008, Colorado became a symbol of the changing politics in a region once firmly in Republican hands -- and also of the grass-roots power and energy fueling Barack Obama's candidacy. Today, the state embodies the uneasiness spreading throughout Democratic ranks as Obama struggles with major challenges and the 2010 midterm elections approach." Colorado has been one of the Democratic Party's major success stories. Between 1968 and 2004, Republican presidential candidates carried the state in all but one election. Last year, Obama crushed John McCain<a href="http://projects.washingtonpost.com/congress/members/m000303/"></a> in Colorado, part of a broader shift in the balance of political power in the Rocky Mountain West. Obama's victory and earlier Democratic wins here have transformed the state. Early in the decade, Republicans controlled virtually everything -- the governor's office, almost all other statewide offices, the congressional delegation and both houses of the Colorado legislature. Today, Democrats are in control of all of those. A year ago, Denver enthusiastically hosted the Democratic National Convention, which culminated with Obama's acceptance speech before more than 80,000 people at the Denver Broncos' football stadium. Legions of volunteers, young and old, fanned out across the state throughout the fall to rally the vote for Obama's campaign." "Today, the energy that powered Obama to victory has begun to dissipate. Some of his supporters remain on the sidelines; others are, if not disillusioned, questioning what has happened to his presidency. As they look toward 2010, Democrats are nervous. Gov. Bill Ritter, appointed Sen. Michael F. Bennet and at least one Democratic member of the House will probably face difficult election campaigns next year."

2009-09-08T12:40:56-04:00

1080

false

true

2009-09-10T08:19:00-04:00

Bellwether Colorado: Are The Democrats In Trouble?

2009-09-10T08:19:00-04:00

1 <a href="http://www.gallup.com/poll/122822/Americans-Sharply-Divided-Healthcare-Reform.aspx">According to a new Gallup survey</a>, "the American people are no less divided on healthcare reform today than they were a month ago. [The survey] finds 39% of Americans saying they would direct their member of Congress to vote against a healthcare reform bill this fall while 37% want their member to vote in favor. . . .[The poll] suggests the issue could be politically potent in 2010. Sixty-four percent of Americans say their representative's position on healthcare reform will be a major factor in their vote in the next congressional election; just over a third say it will be no more than a minor factor." Here is Gallup's chart:   <img src="http://sas-origin.onstreammedia.com/origin/gallupinc/GallupSpaces/Production/Cms/POLL/i2uznwqovu-qsc1ftlee2w.gif" border="0" alt="i2uznwqovu" width="521" height="273" />

2009-09-08T12:37:03-04:00

1079

false

true

2009-09-09T09:39:12-04:00

Health Care Reform Big Issue in 2010?

2009-09-09T09:39:12-04:00

1 According to a <a href="http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/toplines/pt_survey_toplines/august_2009/toplines_health_care_august_25_26_2009">Rasmussen Reports</a> poll, nearly half of likely voters think the health care overhaul proposed by President Obama and backed by Democrats in Congress will become law this year. Yet, about half of likely voters don't like the plan. Around 50% said that they believed the overhaul would lower the quality of health care, and in answer to a separate question 52% said it would make health costs rise.

2009-08-30T10:17:29-04:00

1064

false

true

2009-09-07T09:23:57-04:00

Americans Fear Lower Quality Health Care

2009-09-07T09:23:57-04:00

1 With an unemployment rate now hovering around 30%--28.9% to be exact--the city of Detroit serves as a national symbol of the continued effects of the Great Recession and a lingering problem for the Obama administration and Congress. As <a href="http://blogs.abcnews.com/theworldnewser/2009/08/unemployment-in-detroit-climbs-to-289.html">ABC News</a> reports: "The unemployment rate in the city of Detroit rose to 28.9 percent in July, the highest rate of unemployment since Michigan started keeping modern numbers." Will unemployment rates that remain stagnant or even continue to climb put an damper on the public's perceptions about economic recovery? Stay tuned.

2009-08-29T09:11:32-04:00

1061

false

true

2009-09-03T09:05:52-04:00

Unemployment Hits 28.9% in Detroit

2009-09-03T09:05:52-04:00

1 <div>According to a new Rasmussen Reports survey, Americans by a small margin--48% to 44%--favor taxing wealthier Americans To pay for health care reform. <a href="http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/business/healthcare/july_2009/50_oppose_government_health_insurance_company">But "just 35% of U.S. voters now support the creation of a government health insurance company to compete with private health insurers</a> . . . 50% of voters oppose setting up a government health insurance company as President Obama and congressional Democrats are now proposing in their health care reform plan" </div>

2009-07-17T19:17:39-04:00

1011

false

true

2009-07-20T10:08:44-04:00

By A Small Plurality, Americans Support Taxing The Rich To Pay For Healthcare

2009-07-20T10:08:44-04:00

1 <a href="http://www.gallup.com/poll/121208/Congress-Approval-Rating-Drops-33.aspx">Public perceptions about the US Congress have dropped even further, according to Gallup</a>: "Americans' approval of the job Congress is doing has slipped to 33% this month, down from the recent high of 39% in March, but still significantly higher than job approval ratings of Congress over the last several years. Although there was no change in the control of either the House of Representatives or the Senate as a result of the 2008 elections, Americans' approval of Congress shot up concurrently with the inauguration of the new president in January -- going from 19% in early January to 31% in February to 39% in March. Congress' approval rating then dropped slightly in April and May, and this month is down further, as noted. . . . The slip in job approval to 33% this month appears to have been caused in part by a significant drop in approval among Democrats, whose 50% rating this month is the lowest since February. Republicans' rating is at 17% while independents' rating is at 31%, neither of which is sharply different from where each has been in the previous four months."

2009-06-28T11:32:32-04:00

984

false

true

2009-07-02T09:53:54-04:00

Congressional Approval Rating Drops To 33%

2009-07-02T09:53:54-04:00

1 <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2009/06/21/health/policy/21poll.html?hp">There is wide support for government run health insurance, according to a New York Times/CBS News poll</a>: "Americans overwhelmingly support substantial changes to the health care system and are strongly behind one of the most contentious proposals Congress is considering, a government-run insurance plan to compete with private insurers . . . The poll found that most Americans would be willing to pay higher taxes so everyone could have health insurance and that they said the government could do a better job of holding down health-care costs than the private sector . . . The national telephone survey, which was conducted from June 12 to 16, found that 72 percent of those questioned supported a government-administered insurance plan — something like Medicare for those under 65 — that would compete for customers with private insurers. Twenty percent said they were opposed.

2009-06-20T18:44:11-04:00

972

false

true

2009-06-23T08:52:20-04:00

Wide Public Support For Government-Run Health Insurance Program

2009-06-23T08:52:20-04:00

1 According to a new Rasmussen survey, "just 21% of GOP voters believe Republicans in Congress<a class="iAs" style="border-bottom: 0.2em solid #336699; padding: 0px; font-weight: normal ! important; font-size: 100% ! important; background-image: none; color: #336699 ! important; background-color: transparent ! important; text-decoration: none ! important;" href="#" target="_blank"></a> have done a good job representing their own party’s values, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey. 69% say congressional Republicans have lost touch with GOP voters throughout the nation. These findings are virtually unchanged from a survey just afer Election Day. Among all voters, 73% say Republicans in Congress have lost touch with the GOP base. 72% of Republicans say it is more important for the GOP to stand for what it believes in than for the party to work with President Obama. 22% want their party to work with the President more."

2009-05-02T12:12:16-04:00

895

false

true

2009-05-07T09:17:47-04:00

Majority Of Americans Believe GOP In Congress Out Of Touch

2009-05-07T09:17:47-04:00

1 According to a new analysis, in which the 2008 presidential election was re-run using a district-based system of awarding electoral votes, used only in two states (ME and NE), instead of the winner-take-all Barack Obama still would have defeated John McCain, though the Electoral College tally would have been closer than the actual 365-173 margin of victory. The <a href="http://www.cqpolitics.com/cq-assets/cqmultimedia/pdfs/20090318district.pdf">CQ Politics analysis</a> concludes that Obama would have beaten McCain 301-237 "using a district-based system, under which a candidate receives two electoral votes for winning a state and one electoral vote for every congressional district he or she wins. Only Maine and Nebraska allocate electoral votes in this fashion. The analysis found that Obama won 242 districts and McCain won 193 districts. Obama also posted another 59 electoral votes by carrying 28 states and the District of Columbia, which is entitled to three electoral votes under the 23rd Amendment. McCain would have received another 44 electoral votes as a result of winning 22 states." PollTrack observes that such results suggest the country remains more politically divided than the initial 2008 results suggest, divisions that now appear to be playing out in the polling that gauges political sentiment in the upcoming congressional elections of 2010. Such surveys now indicate an electorate evenly divided between support for Democrtic and Republican congressional candidates.

2009-03-19T09:54:35-04:00

814

false

true

2009-03-30T10:03:03-04:00

Obama's 2008 Victory May Have Been Narrower Than It Seems

2009-03-30T10:03:03-04:00

1 <a href="http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/mood_of_america/congressional_ballot/generic_congressional_ballot">In a bit of bright news for the Obama administrations and congressional Democrats,</a> the party has "managed to move slightly further ahead this week. . . . The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey found that 42% of voters said they would vote for their district’s Democratic candidate while 38% said they would choose the Republican. In recent weeks, the Democratic advantage on the Generic Ballot has ranged from one-to-four points. Democrats enjoy a larger advantage when it comes to partisan identification among the electorate."

2009-03-11T14:33:16-04:00

803

false

true

2009-03-18T09:11:59-04:00

Democratic Support Up A Tick On Generic Congressional Ballot

2009-03-18T09:11:59-04:00

1 According to a new Gallup Poll, "Americans' job approval rating of Congress is up an additional 8 points this month, after a 12-point increase last month, and now stands at 39% -- the most positive assessment of Congress since February 2005. Americans who identify themselves as Democrats are mostly responsible for the improved ratings of Congress measured in the March 5-8 Gallup Poll. After showing a 25-point increase in their approval of Congress from January to February and a further 14-point increase in March, a majority of Democrats (57%) now approve of the job the Democratically-controlled Congress is doing. Independents also show improved ratings of Congress, but not nearly to the extent that Democrats do. Republicans' evaluations of Congress have changed very little this year."

2009-03-12T12:54:36-04:00

806

false

true

2009-03-16T09:37:01-04:00

Approval For Congress Hits Four Year High

2009-03-16T09:37:01-04:00

1 Just about half of the nation's voters--49%--now believe politics in Washington will be more partisan over the next year. This number represents a 9% gain since early February and a 15% jump since early January: <a href="http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/obama_administration/march_2009/hopes_of_bipartisanship_have_faded">The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey found that just</a> "32% expect more cooperation between the two sides over the coming year. That’s down from 48% in January." Rasmussen also reports a much smaller shift in perceptions of President Obama's<a class="iAs" style="border-bottom: 0.2em solid #336699 ! important; font-weight: normal ! important; font-size: 100% ! important; text-decoration: none ! important; padding-bottom: 1px ! important; color: #336699 ! important; background-color: transparent ! important;" href="http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/obama_administration/march_2009/hopes_of_bipartisanship_have_faded" target="_blank"></a> governing style. 39% believe he is "governing on a bipartisan basis, down from 42% a month ago. The number who believe he is governing as a partisan Democrat has gone up four points to 43%. But more voters think that members of Congress from both political parties are more partisan than Obama. 50% of voters say congressional Republicans are acting in a partisan manner. 60% say that congressional Democrats are behaving as partisans."

2009-03-08T12:00:52-04:00

797

false

true

2009-03-10T10:06:30-04:00

Voters See Bi-Partisanship As A Fading Dream

2009-03-10T10:06:30-04:00

1 <a href="http://www.gallup.com/poll/116359/Satisfaction-Improves-Slightly-Steadily.aspx">Americans are slightly more satisfied with the state of the country, according to a new Gallup poll</a>: While overall satisfaction remains low, at an average of 21% for the past week, this number represents a slight improvement from the 14% satisfaction rating in early February: "Gallup has measured national satisfaction daily since Barack Obama took office, and also did so in late October through December 2008. In the latter part of 2008, satisfaction ratings ranged from a low of 9% in Dec. 12-14 polling to a high of just 14% in the first few days after the election and after Thanksgiving. Little seemed to change when Obama first took office -- in Jan. 21-23 polling, 14% of Americans said they were satisfied. After showing a brief improvement in late January, the percentage who reported being satisfied with the state of the nation settled back to 14% by early February. But since that time, satisfaction has shown a slight but steady improvement, and has been 20% or higher each of the last seven days."

2009-03-08T11:38:45-04:00

794

false

true

2009-03-09T10:19:50-04:00

Americans Slightly More Satisfied With State Of The Nation

2009-03-09T10:19:50-04:00

1 In what may suggest a looming problem for the Obama administration in the 2010 congressional elections, <a href="http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/mood_of_america/congressional_ballot/generic_congressional_ballot">a new Rasmussen survey reports that "the race between Republicans and Democrats has once again tightened up in the latest edition of the Generic Congressional Ballot</a>. For the third time in the last four weeks, Republicans have pulled to within two points of the Democrats. The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey found that 41% of voters said they would vote for their district’s Democratic candidate while 39% said they would choose the Republican. While support for the Democrats has not changed since, support for the GOP has increased two points."

2009-03-04T13:56:04-05:00

792

false

true

2009-03-06T09:28:20-05:00

Republicans Pull Close in Generic Congresional Ballot

2009-03-06T09:28:20-05:00

1 In an indication that Americans remain pessimistic about the nation's economy future, the vast majority of respondents in a recent poll now rate the economy as poor: According to Rasmussen Reports, just 8% of adults rate the economy as good or excellent and 66% say the economy is poor. Meanwhile only 11% say the economy is getting better and 66% believe it is getting worse. 81% think the United States is currently in a recession, while 8% disagree. This lack of confidence represents one of the most daunting challenges facing the new Obama administration. In recessionary times, a lack of optimism can suppress consumer spending, leading to a vicious cycle of economic anxiety and decline.

2009-03-01T11:52:25-05:00

786

false

true

2009-03-02T10:12:10-05:00

Two-Thirds of Americans Rate Economy As Poor

2009-03-02T10:12:10-05:00

1 <a href="http://www.gallup.com/poll/116083/Views-Government-Aid-Depend-Program.aspx">A USA Today/Gallup poll reports that Americans have mixed feelings about what the stimulus package should support</a>: "The Obama administration and other advocates have argued that the massive government spending on these programs is necessary to keep a bad economic situation from getting far worse. Critics have found fault with the amounts of money involved and the long-term impact or the lack thereof. And the American public? A review and analysis of recent polling assessing the various government initiatives makes it possible to summarize American public opinion as follows: 1) Americans are generally behind the $787 billion stimulus plan (officially known as the "American Recovery and Reinvestment Act"), signed into law on Feb. 17, although with significant reservations; 2) Americans are solidly in favor of aid to homeowners facing foreclosure; 3) Americans are solidly against giving further aid to the auto companies; and 4) Americans are generally against the idea of providing further aid to ailing banks (although support for an actual government takeover of failing banks is fluid and depends on how such a process is described)."

2009-02-24T19:56:28-05:00

778

false

true

2009-02-26T09:18:19-05:00

Americans Have Mixed Feeling About Various Aspects Of The Stimulus

2009-02-26T09:18:19-05:00

1 A majority pf American adults--55%--believe the "federal government would be rewarding bad behavior by providing mortgage subsidies to financially troubled homeowners." Among investors, 65% hold that view. A<a href="http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/business/housing/55_say_government_mortgage_help_rewards_bad_behavior"> new poll reports that </a>among all adults, just 32% disagree. 77% of Republicans and 60% of those not affiliated with either major political party believe the mortgage help subsidizes bad behavior. Most Democrats--51%--disagree.

2009-02-23T12:10:04-05:00

776

false

true

2009-02-24T09:56:31-05:00

Public Thinks Mortgage Subsidies Reward Bad Behavior

2009-02-24T09:56:31-05:00

1 The American public now rejects the idea that the stimulus package was a partisan effort: 60% of U.S. voters <a href="http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/obama_administration/february_2009/60_say_stimulus_plan_is_what_democrats_want_not_bipartisan">according to a new poll </a>say the economic stimulus plan "is mostly what Democrats want rather than a truly bipartisan product." 25% think the plan is a bipartisan effort; 15% are not sure. "80% of Republicans say the stimulus is mostly a Democratic plan, while Democrats themselves are evenly divided on the question. 62% of unaffiliated voters say it’s mostly what Democrats want, while 22% characterize the plan as bipartisan."

2009-02-13T14:22:52-05:00

764

false

true

2009-02-19T09:15:06-05:00

Voters Read Stimulus Plan As Partisan

2009-02-19T09:15:06-05:00

1 Americans continue to remain circumspect about the stimulus packaged signed into law by President Obama. 38% of voters now believe the $787-billion stimulus will help the economy, <a href="http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/business/economic_stimulus_package/38_say_stimulus_plan_will_help_economy">according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey</a>. 29% believe the plan will hurt and 24% believe it will have little impact. Middle-income Americans are more likely to believe the bill will hurt rather than help. Those with incomes below $40,000 or above $100,000 are more optimistic.

2009-02-17T00:21:36-05:00

767

false

true

2009-02-17T09:39:13-05:00

Americans Remain Skeptical of Stimulus Package

2009-02-17T09:39:13-05:00

1 When it comes to the nation’s economic issues, a new Rasmussen survey reports, 67% of U.S. voters have more confidence in their own judgment than they do in the average member of Congress. 19% trust members of Congress more, 14% aren’t sure.President Obama only does marginally better: 49% of U.S. voters trust their own judgment more than his when it comes to the economic issues affecting the nation. 39% trust the president more. 12% are not sure whose judgment is better.

2009-02-11T14:54:57-05:00

757

false

true

2009-02-16T09:53:50-05:00

US Voters Growing Impatient With Congress

2009-02-16T09:53:50-05:00

1 A new Rasmussen survey suggests possible political storm clouds for Democrats on the question of how well they can manage the economy: "Democrats are still trusted more than Republicans to handle the economy by a 44% to 39% margin, but their advantage on the issue has been slipping steadily since November; 17% are not sure which party they trust more to handle the economy. In the first poll conducted after Barack Obama was elected president, the Democrats held a 15-point lead over the GOP on economic issues. In December, their lead dropped to 12 points. In January, prior to Obama’s inauguration, Democrats held a nine-point lead on the issue."

2009-02-12T13:14:20-05:00

763

false

true

2009-02-13T09:50:32-05:00

Confidence In Democrats To Handle Economy Is Falling

2009-02-13T09:50:32-05:00

1 <a href="http://www.gallup.com/poll/114577/Stimulus-Support-Edges-Higher.aspx">A new USA Today/Gallup poll reports a decided uptick in support for the economic stimulus package now working its way through congress</a>: "Public support for an $800 billion economic stimulus package has increased to 59% in the poll conducted Tuesday night, up from 52% in Gallup polling a week ago, as well as in late January. Most of the newfound support comes from rank-and-file Democrats, suggesting President Barack Obama's efforts to sell the plan over the past week -- including in his first televised news conference on Monday -- have shored up support within his own party. Over the same period, support for the stimulus package held steady among independents, with a slight majority in favor of it. The percentage of Republicans favoring the package rose slightly from 24% to 28%, but remains below the 34% support received in early January, before Congress began its formal consideration of the package."

2009-02-11T18:43:39-05:00

762

false

true

2009-02-11T18:43:39-05:00

Gallup: Decided Uptick in Support For Stimulus Package

2009-02-11T18:43:39-05:00

1 In an ominous sign for the Democrats, public displeasure with Congress seems to be translating into much decreased support for Democratic legislators. The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone surveys found that in the generic congressional balllot, the Democrats’ lead is down to just one percentage point. Forty percent (40%) of voters said they would vote for their district’s Democratic candidate while 39% said they would choose the Republican. "This marks the lowest level of support for the Democrats in tracking history," Rasmussen reports, "and is the closest the two parties have been on the generic ballot."

2009-02-10T15:18:29-05:00

756

false

true

2009-02-11T10:36:57-05:00

The Democratic Brand May Be In Trouble

2009-02-11T10:36:57-05:00

1 While President Obama continues to enjoy healthy--if somewaht diminished approval numbers--Congress does not do half as well. A new poll suggests that the American public has little confidence in its elected delegates to the US Congress: "The Senate is scheduled to vote today on an $838-billion economic stimulus plan, but 58% of U.S. voters say most members of congress<a class="iAs" style="border-bottom: 0.2em solid #336699; font-weight: normal ! important; font-size: 100% ! important; padding-bottom: 1px ! important; color: #336699 ! important; background-color: transparent ! important; text-decoration: none ! important;" href="#" target="_blank"></a> will not understand what is in the plan before they vote on it . . . just 24% believe most of Congress will understand the contents of the 700-page-plus plan before they vote.19% are not sure. Two-thirds of the nation’s voters (69%) lack confidence that Congress knows what it is doing when it comes to addressing the country’s current economic problems. Just 29% are even somewhat confident in the legislators"

2009-02-10T15:16:15-05:00

755

false

true

2009-02-11T09:32:11-05:00

Public Has Little Faith in US Congress

2009-02-11T09:32:11-05:00

1 <a href="http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/obama_administration/february_2009/62_want_stimulus_plan_to_have_more_tax_cuts_less_spending">According to a new poll</a>, voters want the stimulus plan  making its way through Congress to include more tax cuts and less government spending: "Just 14% would like to move in the opposite direction with more government spending and fewer tax cuts . . . 20% would be happy to pass it pretty much as is, and 5% are not sure. Republicans and unaffiliated voters overwhelmingly want to see more tax cuts and less government spending. Democrats are more evenly divided: 42% agree with the Republicans, 32% want to pass the plan as is, and 22% would like to see more government spending and fewer tax cuts."

2009-02-09T11:14:50-05:00

752

false

true

2009-02-10T11:24:06-05:00

Voters Want More Tax Cuts, Less Spending In Stimulus Package

2009-02-10T11:24:06-05:00

1 <a href="http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/obama_administration/january_2009/42_say_obama_governing_on_bipartisan_basis_only_22_say_congress_doing_the_same">While a plurality of voters see Barack Obama's governing style as bipartisan, they are not so sure about the US Congress</a>: "42% of U.S. voters say President Obama is governing on a bipartisan basis while 39% say he is governing as a partisan Democrat . . . [Yet] most voters believe congressmen from both major political parties are acting in a far more partisan manner than the president. 58% say congressional Democrats are governing in a partisan fashion, and 52% say the same about Republicans in Congress. Just 22% say members of both parties are acting on a bipartisan basis. Overall, 40% expect politics in Washington to become more partisan over the next year while 40% expect it to become more cooperative.>

2009-02-03T11:12:55-05:00

742

false

true

2009-02-03T16:25:37-05:00

A Plurality of Voters See Obama As Bipartisan

2009-02-03T16:25:37-05:00

1 Diageo/Hotline Poll of 800 registered voters conducted in late-January finds that President Obama's popularity is helping to boost voter perceptions of Democrats in congress: "Now that Democrats control both the White House and both Houses of Congress, Democrats in Congress currently find themselves as beneficiaries of President Obama's high favorability and job approval ratings . . . 49% of voters say they approve of the job Democrats in Congress are doing, while only 26% of voters who approve of the job Republicans in Congress are doing. And, while the 111th Congress has been in session barely three weeks, the Poll finds that the Democratic candidate leads the Republican candidate 46%-22% in a generic 2010 congressional election match-up, with 27% of voters saying they are undecided."

2009-01-28T16:55:42-05:00

738

false

true

2009-01-29T13:02:46-05:00

Obama Popularity Boosts Democrats in Congress

2009-01-29T13:02:46-05:00

1 In what may well be a problem for the incoming Obama administration and the new Democratic Congress, voters by a statistically significant margin trust Republicans more on matters of national security. <a href="http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/mood_of_america/trust_on_issues/trust_on_issues">According to a just released poll</a>, Republicans hold the biggest lead over Democrats on the issue of national security since early September: 48% of voters trust the GOP more to handle national security and the War on Terror, while only 40% trust Democrats more. In December, the GOP held just a four-point lead on the issue. Trust in the Republicans hasn’t been this high since September 6, when they led the Democrats 50% to 40% on the issue." Unaffiliated voters give Republicans a staggering edge on handle national security--51% to 31%.

2009-01-14T14:27:14-05:00

694

false

true

2009-01-14T14:27:14-05:00

Voters Trust Republicans More On National Security

2009-01-14T14:27:14-05:00