It Depends on How You Define Less Popular

[one...two...tree 2,762]

In announcing its new national poll on the popularity of the political parties, CNN notes, "Democratic Party less popular, but more Americans still think country better off in their hands." That's true, but it's a little convoluted.

The poll asked respondents which party should have the congressional majority. A 44% plurality favored Dems, while 34% preferred Republicans. Democratic numbers are down a bit from April, but Republican numbers haven't improved. ("Neither" got a bump, and is up to 15%.)

In terms of popularity, though, the headline is a little misleading. The poll shows 41% of Americans with a favorable view of the Republican Party, while 50% have an unfavorable view. The favorable numbers are up slightly (two points) since April, but the rating hasn't changed much since last fall. For Democrats, the numbers are reversed -- 52% favorable, 39% unfavorable. It's hardly a favorable landscape for the minority.

So, what about becoming "less popular"? Well, in April, Democrats had 51%-41% favorable/unfavorable ratings. In other words, over the last few months, Dems' numbers haven't gone down at all. Dems are only "less popular" if you ignore the April poll and compare the party's numbers from February.

Or as Atrios put it, "If you skip the intervening poll, you get to tell a pleasing story. Actual story: Dems were pretty damn popular in February. That popularity declined by April, and has pretty much stayed flat sense. Not quite as pleasing of a story for your liberal media."

As for the bigger picture, CNN's report did get one key detail right: "[T]he Republican party has not been able to capitalize on the Democrats' downturn."

I think "downturn" is clearly the wrong word here, but he point is, while Dems' numbers have declined since the start of the year, the GOP has not yet positioned itself to take advantage.

http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/

[GaryC 7]

Ah, cherrypicking polls is fun. Here is one I cherrypicked.

Generic Congressional Ballot

Generic Ballot: Republicans 43%, Democrats 38%

Tuesday, August 04, 2009

Support for Republican congressional candidates has risen to its highest level in recent years, giving the GOP a five-point lead over Democrats in the latest Congressional Ballot and stretching the out-of-power party's lead to six weeks in a row.

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows that 43% would vote for their district’s Republican congressional candidate while 38% would opt for his or her Democratic opponent.

Democratic support is down two points from last week and is just one point above its lowest level measured over the past year. Support for Republican candidates is up one point from last week.

http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_con...essional_ballot

[tmma 467]

Me and just about everyone I know thinks both parties stink.

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

Me and just about everyone I know thinks both parties stink.

I think that is where most people stand.

[GaryC 7]

Me and just about everyone I know thinks both parties stink.

I think that is where most people stand.

Oh I agree. I wouldn't give a plugged nickel for any of them. I am still dreaming of a clean sweep next year. Out with all of them and give someone else a chance to screw things up.

[mawilson 2,133]

The only way to end the "business as usual" in Washington is to NEVER vote for another Republican or Democrat ever again.

Even if it's "just a label" as they say.

[GaryC 7]

The only way to end the "business as usual" in Washington is to NEVER vote for another Republican or Democrat ever again.

Even if it's "just a label" as they say.

And that is exactly what I did last year and what I plan to do next year.

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

The only way to end the "business as usual" in Washington is to NEVER vote for another Republican or Democrat ever again.

Even if it's "just a label" as they say.

The well financed interest groups would then just purchase a different lot. As long as influence in Washington - or any state capital or city hall - is up for sale, nothing will ever be different.

[luckytxn 2,264]

The only way to end the "business as usual" in Washington is to NEVER vote for another Republican or Democrat ever again.

Even if it's "just a label" as they say.

Besides my congressman Ron Paul I usually always vote Libertarian as they are the closest to my views politically.

[mawilson 2,133]

The only way to end the "business as usual" in Washington is to NEVER vote for another Republican or Democrat ever again.

Even if it's "just a label" as they say.

The well financed interest groups would then just purchase a different lot. As long as influence in Washington - or any state capital or city hall - is up for sale, nothing will ever be different.

Perhaps, but it's much easier to buy a "party" than hundreds of individuals not affiliated with any party.

[alienlovechild 75]

The only way to end the "business as usual" in Washington is to NEVER vote for another Republican or Democrat ever again.

That leaves you with political parties that have never had a chance on winning office. This the time when people throw out names of parties that can't get a enough of a following or cling to some "third party" as if its an original thought.

[mawilson 2,133]

The only way to end the "business as usual" in Washington is to NEVER vote for another Republican or Democrat ever again.

That leaves you with political parties that have never had a chance on winning office. This the time when people throw out names of parties that can't get a enough of a following or cling to some "third party" as if its an original thought.

This kind of thinking perpetuates the "two-party system."

I don't want "some third party", I want independent thinkers.