ABC Poll: Democrats have lost their edge

ABC News ^ | June 4, 2007 | Gary Langer

[John Cena]

The Democrats in Congress have lost much of the leadership edge they carried out of the 2006 midterm election, with the lack of progress in Iraq being the leading cause. Their only solace: President Bush and the Republicans aren't doing any better.

Six weeks ago the Democrats held a 24-point lead over Bush as the stronger leadership force in Washington; today that's collapsed to a dead heat. The Democrats' overall job approval rating likewise has dropped, from a 54 percent majority to 44 percent now -- with the decline occurring almost exclusively among strong opponents of the Iraq War.

Related Stories Bush Losing GOP Base on ImmigrationDems Battle Over War, Security Yet the Democrats' losses have not produced much in the way of gains for Bush or his party. The president's approval rating remains a weak 35 percent, unchanged from mid-April at two points from his career low in ABC News/Washington Post polls. The Republicans in Congress do about as badly, with just 36 percent approval.

Another figure underscores the public's broad grumpiness: Seventy-three percent now say the country's off on the wrong track, the most in just over a decade.

The Shift The shift away from the Democrats in Congress has occurred on two levels. In terms of their overall approval rating, the damage is almost entirely among people who strongly oppose the war in Iraq. In this group 69 percent approved of the Democrats in April, but just 54 percent still approve now -- a likely effect of the Democrats' failure to push a withdrawal timetable through Congress.

Their decline in leadership ratings vs. Bush is more broadly based -- that's occurred among war opponents and supporters alike, apparently reflecting more an assessment of their performance than an expression of support or opposition.

The Iraq Factor More than anything, these views are fueled by the continued grind of the war in Iraq. Few think the Bush "surge" is working -- 64 percent see no significant progress restoring civil order there -- and, looking ahead, 58 percent predict it will not succeed.

[John Cena]

I wonder if the shoe is on the other foot now from 1994-1996. Remember when the Republicans won big in 94, taking over congress, while Bill Clinton's approval rating was in the tank. And everyone thought that 1996 was going to be a Republican landslide and Clinton was going to get destroyed by whoever the Republicans nominated. Well as 1995 & early 96 dragged on, the Republican congress began losing their edge, and what followed was a primairy where all three of their top tier candidated (Dole, Buchanan, and Forbes) had issues that would hurt them in the General election. Clinton would regain his footing and win comfortablally.

Well I see a lot of similiarities. The Dems won big in 2006 and the current Republican president is extremely unpopular. But three first tier Democrat candiddates (Clinton, Obama, Edwards) all have issues and the Democrat congress is slowly losing favorability with the American people.

Just something to think about

[goldstategop]

We have a golden opportunity. Unfortunately, the President and the RINOs are doing their damnedest to blow it by attacking the conservative base.

"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus

[oyez]

I would not allow these people to breed.
These people:

Are not so much of has-been, but more definitely won't be.
Work well when under constant supervision and cornered like a rat in a trap.
Would be out of their depth in a parking lot puddle.
Have delusions of adequacy.
Set low personal standards and then consistently fails to achieve them.
Should go far, and the sooner they start, the better.
Got into the gene pool while the lifeguard was not looking.
Got a full 6-pack, but lacks the plastic thing to hold it together.
Are prime candidates for natural de-selection.

[highlander_UW]

ABC Poll: Democrats have lost their edge

Along with their FREAKING MINDS!

[Fractal Trader]

I would not allow these people to breed

From what I understand, we are partly there already. Most left leaning types have quite low birth rates, as I understand it. And the rate among sodomists is near zero outside of a few adoptions and turkey baster children.

[goldstategop]

That's why liberals want to import millions of illegals to replenish their ever-shrinking numbers. If the GOP is politically suicidal, it will be more than happy to assist them in that objective.

"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus

[newcthem]

NOPE.............Jorge and company are doing the country a great service by finally being truthful (I use this term, lightly) about their aims. Now, perhaps we can finally get by this sh*t of “vote for our RINO, because he is better than a Democrat”

Perhaps we can find a real conservative out there, who hasn’t spent his whole life trying to be President.....a real leader.

One name comes to mind..................................

[ViLaLuz]

The time is ripe for a third party if there’s no decent Republican candidate.