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Rasmussen: Congressional Ballot Remains Close This Week (41% D, 39% R)
Rasmussen Reports ^ | March 03, 2009 | Rasmussen

Posted on 03/04/2009 10:52:58 AM PST by GOPGuide

The race between Republicans and Democrats has once again tightened up in the latest edition of the Generic Congressional Ballot. 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 (see crosstabs).

While support for the Democrats has not changed since last week, support for the GOP has increased two points.

Over the past year, Democratic support has ranged from a low of 40% to a high of 50%. In that same time period, Republicans have been preferred by 34% to 41% of voters nationwide.

(Want a free daily e-mail update? If it's in the news, it's in our polls). Rasmussen Reports updates also available on Twitter.

Last week, the President introduced his budget and announced four major priorities—deficit reduction, healthcare, energy, and education. Americans see deficit reduction as the top priority and also the least likely to be achieved. On health care, 49% say reform should wait until the economy is in better shape.

On the generic ballot, men now favor the GOP by a 42% to 37% margin, while women continue to support the Democrats, 45% to 35%.

Nine percent (9%) of both Republicans and Democrats say they would vote for a candidate of the opposite party. Among unaffiliated voters, 35% would vote Republican and 25% would vote for a Democrat.


TOPICS: Front Page News; News/Current Events; Politics/Elections
KEYWORDS: 111th; 2009polls; dems; gop; poll; rasmussen

1 posted on 03/04/2009 10:52:58 AM PST by GOPGuide
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To: GOPGuide

The Rush Effect!


2 posted on 03/04/2009 10:53:49 AM PST by pissant (THE Conservative party: www.falconparty.com)
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To: GOPGuide

If there was a terrorist attack the American people would blame it on Bush, Tom Delay.


3 posted on 03/04/2009 10:54:14 AM PST by exist
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To: exist

I don’t think that’s true. In the absence of an attack, they may discount the ‘Bush kept us safe’ argument, but if an attack happened that would change on a dime.

I’m very afraid of an attack. It would be devastating to our economy at this point and Zero would use it as an excuse for even more power grabs.


4 posted on 03/04/2009 10:59:04 AM PST by perfect_rovian_storm
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To: GOPGuide

Ths American Electorate is clearly schizophrenic. They’ve got the GOP almost within the margin of error on the generic Congressional poll. But, at the same time, they’ve got Obama matching his highest approval differential at +16.

Talk about cognitive dissonance.


5 posted on 03/04/2009 10:59:36 AM PST by Big_Monkey
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To: pissant

This kind of thing gives me hope. Obama has united conservatives. For us to be within the margin of error, after getting our clocks cleaned is great news.


6 posted on 03/04/2009 10:59:49 AM PST by se_ohio_young_conservative (Jesus Christ is the answer. He loves you more than you could ever imagine.)
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To: Big_Monkey

Be patient.

Remember KKKlinton was at 45% when the GOP tookover Congress in ‘94.


7 posted on 03/04/2009 11:00:55 AM PST by GOPGuide
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To: GOPGuide
"Remember KKKlinton was at 45% when the GOP tookover Congress in ‘94.

What gives me most concern, isn't how the GOP will do in the Congressional races, because I think if things just stay the same, they'll do fairly well there and you could see a substantial gain if things continue to deteriorate.

What's perplexing is the odd makeup of the Senatorial races next year. There's only one Dem retiring (Delaware, not promising). And, there are at least 5 Pubies retiring, 3 or 4 of which in states that went comfortably for Barry. Ultimately, it's going to be difficult to pick up but one or two Senates seats for the GOP - which I suppose is better than none, or losing some.

8 posted on 03/04/2009 11:08:41 AM PST by Big_Monkey
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To: perfect_rovian_storm

IIRC, we still have four more months or so to expect the impending “event” that Home Depot Joe predicted.


9 posted on 03/04/2009 11:09:31 AM PST by Titus Quinctius Cincinnatus (True nobility is exempt from fear - Marcus Tullius Cicero)
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To: Big_Monkey
But, at the same time, they’ve got Obama matching his highest approval differential at +16.

The last Rasmussen poll had Soetero at 58%, which was down about 8%.

10 posted on 03/04/2009 11:30:14 AM PST by Major Matt Mason (The Kenyan Keynesian will bankrupt this nation.)
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To: Major Matt Mason

Saturday and Sunday figure into that poll. Check back on Friday. Should be more accurate.


11 posted on 03/04/2009 11:34:21 AM PST by Scanian
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To: GOPGuide

Nice!


12 posted on 03/04/2009 11:57:37 AM PST by syriacus (Send Obama some BIG towels. He's still wet behind the ears.)
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Imagine if the GOP had a couple of emerging political leaders who were asserting themselves..these numbers are WITH the keystone cops routine of the GOP.


13 posted on 03/04/2009 12:09:22 PM PST by Crimson Elephant
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To: Major Matt Mason
"The last Rasmussen poll had Soetero at 58%, which was down about 8%."

I wish that were true, but that's not what the Rasmussen Daily chart says...

http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/obama_administration/obama_approval_index_history

The chart is actually showing Obama gaining two points from the previous two days, but still off from his high of 64%. Like I said, schizophrenic. If I should be looking at something else, please point me in the right direction.

14 posted on 03/04/2009 12:10:24 PM PST by Big_Monkey
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To: Major Matt Mason
""The last Rasmussen poll had Soetero at 58%, which was down about 8%."

As I look more closely at the poll myself, I believe I see the point you're making.

Obama's total approval rating since he's taken office is down almost 6% points. His Rasmussen "approval index" is down a full 10% points since Jan. 21st.

Sorry for the confusion.

15 posted on 03/04/2009 1:42:58 PM PST by Big_Monkey
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