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Rasmussen Sees A Republican Rebound
Captain's Quarters ^ | Jan. 02, 2008 | Ed Morrissey

Posted on 01/02/2008 6:52:54 AM PST by jdm

Surveys in 2006 saw an erosion in Republican Party affiliation that opened the gap between the major parties from 1.6% to over 6%, favoring Democrats, by the end of the year. Twelve months later, the performance of the Democrats while controlling Congress has almost completely reversed the trend. Rolling into 2008, Rasmussen shows that Republicans have their highest share of affiliation since January 2006 and only trail Democrats by two points:

The number of Americans who consider themselves to be Republicans jumped nearly two percentage points in December to 34.2%. That’s the largest market share for the Republican brand in nearly two years, since January 2006 (see history from January 2004 to present).

At the same time, the number of Democrats fell to 36.3%. That’s down a point compared to a month ago. During 2007, the number of Democrats has ranged from a low of 35.9% in July to a high of 37.8% in February....

Back in May, the Republicans fell to their lowest level of party identification of the past four years (30.8%). Then, the immigration debate raged in Congress and some Republican legislators helped defeat an unpopular Senate immigration bill. Republicans have gained ground in five of the seven months since then. But, the gains in December—1.7 percentage points—matched the total gains for the previous six months combined.

The December gains for the GOP coincide with increased public confidence in the War on Terror. It’s interesting to note that this did not improve President Bush’s Job Approval ratings while helping the Republican Party overall.

The realignment comes at a "startling" time, Rasmussen notes. The report also suggests this as a reaction to the performance of Democrats in Congress. Nancy Pelosi has only a 38% approval rating, compared to 49% at the start of the year, suggesting that independents have lost confidence in her leadership, and possibly some Democrats. They note the sharp increase in December as a corollary to the improving confidence in the war on terror, which also suggests that the electorate may exact a price on Democrats for their strident defeatism throughout most of 2007.

It could mean something else as well. The past year gave voters a good look at the Democratic primary challengers, a thoroughly inexperienced lot. Given that the three Democrats with any chance of winning the nomination comprise less experience in national office combined than John McCain and no executive experience at all, some disenchantment may have set in with voters. It certainly doesn't give Democrats a reason to think that they have momentum for a general election -- in fact, this survey shows the opposite.

Independent affiliation has also dropped. This looks like former Republicans returning to the party. Self-described independents only make up 29.5% of the electorate, which is the first time since June 2006 that number has been below 30%.

After losing their first national election in four cycles in 2006, it looks like Republicans could rebound in 2008. They have the momentum, and they have closed the gap almost to where it was in November 2004. A few more months of Democratic incompetence in Congress could close the gap altogether.


TOPICS: Editorial; News/Current Events; Politics/Elections
KEYWORDS: marines; rasmussen; rebound; republican
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To: E. Pluribus Unum

Yeh—both RR and Fred were second rate actors—only RR was actor enough to meet the minimum qualifications for the gubmint dole...

;)
Just Plain Dick
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


41 posted on 01/02/2008 9:03:55 AM PST by gunnyg
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To: proud2beconservativeinNJ

From wikipedia:

With the other candidates (besides Bush and Reagan) in single digits, the Nashua Telegraph offered to host a debate between Reagan and Bush. Worried that a newspaper-sponsored debate might violate electoral regulations, Reagan subsequently arranged to fund the event with his own campaign money, inviting the other candidates to participate at short notice. The Bush camp did not learn of Reagan’s decision to include the other candidates until the debate was due to commence. Bush refused to participate, which led to an impasse on the stage. As Reagan attempted to explain his decision, the editor of the Nashua Telegraph ordered the sound man to mute Reagan’s microphone. A visibly angry Reagan responded “I am paying for this microphone, Mr. Green!” (the editor’s name was in fact Jon Breen).[1][2] Eventually the other candidates agreed to leave, and the debate proceeded between Reagan and Bush. Reagan’s quote was often repeated as “I paid for this microphone!” and dominated news coverage of the event; Bush did not make an impact with the voters.


42 posted on 01/02/2008 9:09:25 AM PST by Straight Vermonter (Posting from deep behind the Maple Curtain)
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To: pgkdan
"I'd agree except that most Americans don't know that we're winning."

Sad but true.

43 posted on 01/02/2008 9:10:06 AM PST by avacado
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To: jdm

Well, that’s good news at least.


44 posted on 01/02/2008 9:13:58 AM PST by Marysecretary (GOD IS STILL IN CONTROL.)
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To: Qwinn
You're right.

The last time I crossed over and voted for the least electable candidate--HE WON THE ELECTION!

The last time I held my nose and donated to a Democrat politician, he was my state senator and had offered to help me with a very difficult problem. I was the unwitting victim of a severe injustice. He was a rock-bottom sleazebag (typical of Democrat politicians). After months went by, I realized he wasn't going to help--as he had promised to do--(he didn't even bother to let me know)--and was a complete scumbag. He fully intended to exploit me and my unhappy circumstances to his advantage (typical of Democrat politicians) and was only interested in what he could get out of it all for himself (typical of Democrat politicians). I vomited.

Then I called a state rep., a Republican, to whose campaign I had donated. I had attended a fund-raising party on his behalf. He was also a sleazebag--but at least he told me he wasn't going to help.

A distant relative contacted a Republican politician, a "friend" of his, in my behalf. However, when I spoke with this Republican politician, he was insulting and told me that he would not help me. He was also a sleazebag, but, again, at least he told me to get lost--unlike the vastly more sleazy Democrat.

Then I finally contacted my state rep., whom I didn't know--and Independent. He was a first rate, first class, absolutely wonderful man, who turned out to be one of my heroes. He still is. He helped me. He solved my problem quickly and justly. Afterward, when I asked him--in all confidentiality--how I could repay him (I was careful to ask him in utter privacy, and I thought, from my experience with the Democrat and Republican politicians, that he might just name his price), he said that my happiness and good citizenship were the only repayment he wanted. He will always be one of my heroes. Needless to say, he was not re-elected in the next election.

There is more good than evil in human nature. However, politics attracts degenerates, sociopaths, the greedy, and other undesirables like a magnet and skews the population of elected officials toward evil. Only a moron or a fellow sleazebag would want to empower these scumbag politicians further or to increase the size, reach, appetite, and power of the governments that are their instruments for exploiting the general population.

But of all the scumbags I encountered during this ordeal, the heroes (there were others too) were like brilliant suns. I revere them. They are like Scott Beamer. The world is full of heroes--most of them average people like you and me--lost in the crowd.

But politics attracts anti-heroes, sleazebags, degenerates, sociopaths, and other assorted undesirables like a magnet.

45 posted on 01/02/2008 9:17:46 AM PST by Savage Beast ("History is not just cruel. It is witty." ~Charles Krauthammer)
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To: digger48
If only we can get the remaining Republicans in Congress to ACT LIKE REPUBLICANS!

That may be the problem. It's time to get the remaining Republicans in Congress to act like conservatives.
46 posted on 01/02/2008 9:21:21 AM PST by AD from SpringBay (We have the government we allow and deserve.)
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To: Straight Vermonter
"....Worried that a newspaper-sponsored debate might violate electoral regulations, Reagan subsequently arranged to fund the event with his own campaign money, inviting the other candidates to participate at short notice...."

Thank you for sharing. Good day, Vermonter.

47 posted on 01/02/2008 9:26:56 AM PST by proud2beconservativeinNJ ("In God We Trust")
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To: jdm
After losing their first national election in four cycles in 2006, it looks like Republicans could rebound in 2008. They have the momentum, and they have closed the gap almost to where it was in November 2004. A few more months of Democratic incompetence in Congress could close the gap altogether.

A Presidential candidate who appeals to a broad range of Republican voters could help bring Republican Congressional candidates along, too. I think Fred is that man.

The Democrats only won their majority by very slim margins in some places, so they are vulnerable. The fact that they acted so arrogantly after they took the majority in Congress only helped turn folks against them.

48 posted on 01/02/2008 10:14:02 AM PST by SuziQ
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To: proud2beconservativeinNJ

“I don’t understand the “meaning” behind I am paying for this microphone. Can someone direct me to the explanation?”

.....I just got in and saw that others have answered your question better than I could have....it seems like in every campaign there’s always one “punch line” moment that stands out....that was one for Reagan....others that come to mind:
“I knew John Kennedy and you’re no Kennedy”Lloyd Bensen
“Where’s the beef” Walter Mondale


49 posted on 01/02/2008 11:08:25 AM PST by STONEWALLS
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To: E. Pluribus Unum; Stonewall
I watched the the video of RR from your YouTube link and while I had it on my husband walked by and said he remembered that line. Great post.

Stonewall - How about Kerry's "reporting for duty." That was defining also. His presentation that night made a very positive impression on me. I thought - He seems strong. I always was partial to anyone serving our country. Then it turned out to be a defining line in the most fake hero boy way.

50 posted on 01/02/2008 12:58:53 PM PST by proud2beconservativeinNJ ("In God We Trust")
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To: jdm

The surge is working


51 posted on 01/02/2008 1:11:33 PM PST by Homer1
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To: aberaussie
"Is there a chance the republicans will do something stupid to reverse this momentum?"


Will the sun rise in the morning?
52 posted on 01/02/2008 6:03:57 PM PST by rob777 (Personal Responsibility is the Price of Freedom)
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