March 19, 2009
Lurking Behind the Scenes

The overall political mood of the populace remains a trend to keep an eye on as 2010 is never to far from the minds of many politicos.

President Obama's personal ratings remain solid (if trending down) and ratings for Congress, including the GOP, remain low.

Yet, a bi-partisan poll for NPR (full results in pdf) shows a 42-42 tie in a generic Congressional ballot. Concurrently, Rasmussen shows a slight GOP advantage.

After the sustained Democratic advantage seen in the same generic ballot measure over the course of the last two election cycles (as the side-bar data at the Rasmussen link confirms for 2008), that's a notable shift.

It's more proof 2008 was a Democratic victory, but not a mandate for liberals and progressives. Most importantly, it has the potential beginnings of a significant opportunity for Republican challengers running smart campaigns at the Congressional and legislative levels next year.

UPDATE: title changed to avoid dumb mixed metaphor.

Posted by Eric Earling at March 19, 2009 02:47 PM | Email This
Comments
1. I hope "smart campaign" means upholding conservative principle and values.

Posted by: Bill Cruchon on March 19, 2009 02:36 PM
2. Eric,
I hope so too. Thanks to the Washington economy, I've now become one of the displaced job seekers who scored a position with a coompany here in California. I have to tell you, I sense the GOP here is on its ass as badly as the one there at home. Its very late to begin to promote any "stars" in the GOP and you know the media is going to trash who ever gets put forward.
Personally I promote a policy of VIO...Vote Incumbants Out!

Posted by: Diogenes on March 19, 2009 06:37 PM
3. You Neo-cons might have done better in the 2008 elelction if you hadn't been running Bob Dole again. McCain was Bob Dole all over again, and your guys weren't smart enough to realize that Americans aren't interested in some grampa being prez.

Next time, run somebody who looks yonger and fitter.

Posted by: Politically Incorrect on March 19, 2009 06:46 PM
4. PI...you are right, but the POTUS is more than just a good looking dude or dudette with no experience. We don't need a Hollywood pretty face with his finger on the button. We need someone who has experience as the CEO of the Executive Branch of government, someone who has cut taxes and helped economies revive, and who has had to look soldiers in the eye and send them to battle. Someone like Sarah Palin!

Posted by: Diogenes on March 19, 2009 07:39 PM
5. That means that 2010 is shaping up to be the Republican's election to lose. Sarah Palin would make a good senator, but as a candidate for President in 2012 - fughettaboutit. Someone like Eric Cantor or Mike Pence might deserve some consideration - conservatives who have very little connection to Bush.

Posted by: KS on March 19, 2009 08:16 PM
6. 2 yrs of this 2 trillion dollar overspending Jerk will sing the end of the Democraps.

Posted by: gs on March 19, 2009 09:45 PM
7. 2 yrs of this 2 trillion dollar overspending Jerk will sing the end of the Democraps.

Posted by: gs on March 19, 2009 09:45 PM
8. @1 Bill - you mean "god fearing Christian values" right?

Posted by: Crusader on March 20, 2009 12:14 AM
9. At least Obama did not go "full retard" on Leno last night so the wacky liberals should still be in love...

Posted by: Doc-T on March 20, 2009 05:00 AM
10. "@1 Bill - you mean "god fearing Christian values" right?"

No.

Posted by: Bill Cruchon on March 20, 2009 06:44 AM
11. Is that the goal, gs? But what are you going to replace Democrats with? The Republicans have to prove to me they are serious about fiscal matter or it will be the old, "Meet the new boss, same as the old boss".

I am more worried about the economy and the scam foisted on many boomers who were more than encouraged to enter the stock market. That should be the focus of the focus of the focus.

Posted by: swatter on March 20, 2009 07:06 AM
12. This blog posting is perfect example of what happens when someone like Eric Earling goes to the LIBTARD font of foaming ignorance like Pew and NPR...

This sort of nonsense might be acceptable to the Henrietta Hughes types and Peggy Joseph types who fawn over the pinko parasite with a lack of judgement who he befriends but adults need something with some more credible substance...

Meanwhile in the real world we have the following thanks to Rasmussen: Support for the Democratic Congressional candidates fell to a new low over the past week, allowing the GOP to move slightly head for the first time in recent years in the Generic Congressional Ballot...

Posted by: juandos on March 20, 2009 10:07 AM
13. According to the Gallup daily polls (more reliable and more people surveyed), the congressional approval has hit a four year high, fueled by democrats:

Link: http://www.gallup.com/poll/116530/Approval-Congress-Hits-Four-Year-High-Fueled-Dems.aspx

Meanwhile, Obama is at higher approval levels than Bush or Clinton at this same time in their terms:

http://www.gallup.com/poll/116845/Obama-Approval-Equal-Better-Bush-Clinton.aspx

Anyone who takes Rasmussen seriously as a pollster for anything other than direct election results, has not paid attention to the well-documented republican bias in their questions. You get out what you put in - and Rasmussen is off the mark because they have had demonstrated bias.

Posted by: correctnotright on March 20, 2009 10:23 AM
14. #3 Probably the greatest President of the past 50-years was "some grandpa".

Just thought I'd mention it.

Posted by: Bill Cruchon on March 20, 2009 11:16 AM
15. Change I Can Believe In

Posted by: Ragnar Danneskjold on March 20, 2009 07:16 PM
16. "According to the Gallup daily polls (more reliable and more people surveyed), the congressional approval has hit a four year high, fueled by democrats:"

A half truth. Gallup daily polls are less reliable than Rasmussen polls - their sample is smaller therefore less reliable. Rasmussen predicted the outcome of the November election fairly close. The latest ratings show a 56% approval and 39% disapproval rating for the POTUS. Furthermore the strongly approval is 35% and strongly disapproval is 31%.

Rasmussen, What bias ? Show me reliable documentation or STFU. Do you like his Universal Health care plan that will bankrupt us and our children. Socialism ? Not in my country !

Posted by: KS on March 20, 2009 08:23 PM
17. The "incompetent Republicans" have caught up two generic polls with the "inept Democrats". It has been proven over and over that a balance of power is a better government for people who aren't useful idiots. I want small government conservatives who run as Republicans or Democrats in the next election for Congress.

Posted by: KS on March 20, 2009 08:27 PM
18. Chains our grandchildren will still be paying for.

"Chains you can believe in and dope for the future".

Posted by: joebandmember on March 21, 2009 07:51 AM
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