Posted on 11/30/2011 7:09:09 AM PST by SeekAndFind
Since the 2010 midterm elections, the Tea Party has not only lost support nationwide, but also in the congressional districts represented by members of the House Tea Party Caucus. And this year, the image of the Republican Party has declined even more sharply in these GOP-controlled districts than across the country at large.
In the latest Pew Research Center survey, conducted Nov. 9-14, more Americans say they disagree (27%) than agree (20%) with the Tea Party movement. A year ago, in the wake of the sweeping GOP gains in the midterm elections, the balance of opinion was just the opposite: 27% agreed and 22% disagreed with the Tea Party. At both points, more than half offered no opinion.
Throughout the 2010 election cycle, agreement with the Tea Party far outweighed disagreement in the 60 House districts represented by members of the Congressional Tea Party Caucus. But as is the case nationwide, support has decreased significantly over the past year; now about as many people living in Tea Party districts disagree (23%) as agree (25%) with the Tea Party.
GOP Loses Favorability Advantage in Tea Party Districts The Republican Party’s image also has declined substantially among people who live in Tea Party districts. Currently, 41% say they have a favorable opinion of the GOP, while 48% say they have an unfavorable view. As recently as March of this year, GOP favorability was 14 points higher (55%) in these districts, with just 39% offering an unfavorable opinion
Among the public, 36% now say they have a favorable opinion of the Republican Party, down from 42% in March.
By comparison, opinions of the Democratic Party have shifted less – from 50% favorable last summer to 48% in March and 46% in October. The party’s image has remained in negative territory among those living in Tea Party districts throughout this period– currently about four-in-ten (39%) say they have a favorable view of the Democratic Party, while 50% offer an unfavorable view.
But the steep decline in GOP favorability in Tea Party districts means that these constituencies now view the Republican Party about as negatively as the Democratic Party. As recently as March, GOP favorability exceeded Democratic Party favorability by 15 points (55% vs. 40%). Today, both parties receive about the same rating from people in Tea Party districts (41% favorable for the GOP, 39% for the Democratic Party).
About the Analysis In this analysis, Tea Party districts are those currently held by the 60 Republicans who identify themselves as members of The Tea Party Caucus in the House of Representatives. This includes 17 freshmen Republicans elected in 2010, as well as 43 incumbents reelected in 2010. The data matches respondents to their Congressional district as closely as possible according to their ZIP code; in cases where a ZIP code includes two districts, the respondent is counted in the district that represents the majority of that ZIP code. There is some error in this matching process. In general, roughly 15% of survey respondents live in these 60 districts. Sample sizes in these districts range between 178 and 462 with an average of 287 in each survey (margin of error approximately plus or minus 7.0%)
Who did they poll? The Fleabaggers! This is a poll full of bull$hit. Obummer didn’t get more than 250 people to stand in line for FREE tickets to hear his lies in Scranton PA today of all places .
Pew... Something stinks in here..
Crazy polls. I am very skeptical.
Given the media slant (just look at the OWS coverage), I doubt that one out of ten people could verbalize what the Tea Party is all about.
Wednesday’s submission for the daily fiction contest.
I don't know about anywhere else, but there hasn't been a rally here locally in more than a year. I tried to stir up some interest - willing to help plan, but needing someone with knowledge of how to go about it. No one I talked to seemed interested.
I didn’t know the Tea Party had “districts”. LOL
shows they disagree with some piece of crap that the media has cooked up and then attributed to the Tea Party
lol
But, the underlying feeling of a government going the wrong way still exists and will reassert itself in coming elections.
Actually the poll makes perfect sense given the time (October) and the fight over the deficit cap and the associated headlines.
For the TEA party, media outlets were reporting a hard line of shut everything down - resulting in a threat from Obama to withhold social security checks.
GOP wise People were (still are) still seething over the deal and view what happened as a form of betrayal. The result was a negative kick back.
If it is one thing we have to worry about in 2012 it is sitting at home and splitting the vote. My guess is that Democrats are planning on it.
This poll is useless. 7% margin of ERROR. Total crap.
Dearest media, you have lost ALL credibility when discussing the tea party. You are in for another shock you stupid, stupid idiots. Why must you libs feast on self-delusion again and again???
Pew on Pew Research. The conservative is getting stronger than ever. The Tea Party has spawned several conservative non-for-profit organziations in our area. They are all working together for the common good.
It appears they did a name-recognition type poll, as opposed to asking about the TEA party’s enumerated positions. The BS manner in which they interpret the poll is something else entirely.
The tea party does not need to be visible, we are still here.
I hope the media doesn't hurt themselves they are 'spinning' so hard. LOL!
Think the 2010 elections were something, just wait.
2012 will be a blow-out of epic proportions! Count on it!
If they had asked specific questions about the deficit, taxes, entitlements, etc., the answers would have corresponded with the Tea Party.
But that's not the result that they want.
The MSM, democrats AND republicans all hate the Tea Party. What do you expect? It’s the same crap with Herman Cain. They throw enough relentless crap his way and people eventually start to believe it. They just need 1 talking head per day to claim the tea party are a bunch of racists, haters, etc.
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