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Poll: Democrats Gain Ground, but GOP Still Leads Battle for House

1 year ago

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Contributing Editor

Democrats have whittled down the big lead that Republicans held at the beginning of September in the battle for control of the House, but they still are heading into the final stretch before Election Day trailing the GOP, according to a Washington Post/ABC News poll conducted Sept. 30-Oct. 3.

Forty-nine percent of likely voters said they would pick the Republican candidate in their district if the election were held today while 43 percent said they'd support the Democrat. Three percent answered "other" or "neither" and 4 percent were undecided. The margin of error is 3.5 points.

In the Aug. 30-Sept. 2 Post/ABC poll, Republicans had led by 53 percent to 40 percent.

Forty percent of registered voters said it would be a good thing if Congress switched hands from the Democrats to the Republicans while 28 percent said it would be a bad thing, with 29 percent saying it would make no difference.

The poll comes on the heels of a survey by Gallup that gave double-digit leads to the Republicans on the so-called generic congressional ballot in both high- and low-turnout scenarios.

The Post/ABC poll offers some striking contrasts in the political turnaround since 2006, when Democrats recaptured Congress.

In early October 2006, Democrats held a 54 percent to 42 percent advantage on the generic ballot going into that year's midterms.

In the new poll, 42 percent of all adults said they trusted Democrats more to do a better job in coping with the nation's main problems while 38 percent chose the Republicans, with 15 percent saying neither. In October 2006, Americans put their trust in the Democrats by a 54 percent to 35 percent margin, with 7 percent saying neither. (The remainder answered "both" or were undecided).

The new poll said Americans trusted the Democrats more to do a better job on the economy, this year's overriding issue, by 44 percent to 37 percent with 14 percent saying neither. In October 2006, that margin had been 54 percent to 37 percent.

A bright spot for Democrats is that 50 percent of all those surveyed trusted the Democrats more to help the middle class compared to 34 percent who named the Republicans, with 11 percent answering neither.

The public disapproves of the job both parties are doing in Congress. Sixty-one percent disapprove of the Democrats' performance while 36 percent approve. Sixty-seven percent disapprove of the Republicans' performance while 30 percent approve.

The "Pledge to America" that House Republicans unveiled on Sept. 23, promising to roll back Democratic spending and programs, doesn't appear to have made much of an impact. Two-thirds of Americans said they hadn't heard of it, and a plurality of those who had -- 45 percent -- said it wouldn't make any difference to how they vote.

As has other polls, this one paints a grim picture of the mood of Americans about the economy. Nine out of 10 see it negatively, with 50 percent calling it "poor" and 40 percent "not so good." About two-thirds believe it will stay the same or get worse.

Sixty-eight percent say the $787 billion in economic stimulus spending approved last year was wasted.

Forty-six percent are dissatisfied with the way Washington works, 25 percent say they are angry, 25 percent describe themselves as satisfied and 4 percent are enthusiastic.

While the poll shows a divided public when it comes to support or opposition to the health care reform legislation enacted this year, 77 percent of those polled would support an effort in the new Congress or courts to cancel it.

Filed Under: House, Democrats, Republicans, Polls, Poll Watch, 2010 Elections

Tagged: 2010 Election Polls, 2010 Elections, 2010 House Elections, 2010 Midterm elections, dailyguidance, midterm elections, Pledge for America

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Jen

What a clueless comment.What have democrats done other than ryun up the debt, take ss out of trust fund into general fund. You blame repubs and rightfully so but hold no dems responsible> Look at Clinton frst 6 years versus last two. Look at bush first six versus last two. Your annointed ones, who create vthe budget, held power in congress.By the way, Lincoln was a republican and ended slavery so before you start stating erroneoous facts, get a clue. Being so partisan and not holding both parties accountable is naive and stupid

October 05 2010 at 9:38 PM Report abuse Permalink +2 rate up rate down Reply

efleishman

EVEN THE REPBULICANS ARE BEGINNING TO REALIZE THAT THEY COULD LOSE: SOCIAL SECURITY VETERAN'S BENEFITS HEALTH CARE PUBLIC EDUCATION UNION REPRESENTATION YEAH I KNOW. FEWER TAXES THINK ABOUT IT. EVERYTHING BECOMES PRIVATIZED, YOU PAY FOR EVERYTHING OR YOU DON'T GET IT. WITHIN A YEAR YOU'LL BE SPENDING MORE OF YOUR SAVINGS JUST TO STAY ALIVE. YOU'LL SKIP MEDICAL VISITS AND PRESCRIPTIONS. YOUR VETERAN "VOUCHER" WON'T BUY GUM....AND YOU"LL STILL NOT CRICITIZE THE RIGHT WING WHO PUT YOU THERE BECAUSE YOU DON'T WANT TO BE CALLED UNAMERICAN. MAKES A LOT SENSE..DOESN'T IT.

October 05 2010 at 4:05 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

louw95

How can any person with a knowledge of history believe it would be good for Republicans to gain control again? Look at the mess they made when they were in power just 2 years ago and look at what they are running on. If you think the middle class does well under the Republicans, you need to open a history book and see what they have been for and against since the 1930s. Facts are facts and history should never be rewritten.

October 05 2010 at 1:37 PM Report abuse Permalink -2 rate up rate down Reply

Rob & Kathy

All one has to do is consider the Democrats attacks and name calling. They are obviously in a state of panic and desperation...

October 05 2010 at 12:22 PM Report abuse Permalink +10 rate up rate down Reply

kjom207

OMG, you used an ABC POLL????? HAHAHAHAHA You liberal so called journalists are getting desperate trying to spin for the Democrats losing so badly in the polls. Nobody believes an ABC poll about anything. Get some real numbers the next time and cut the BS, Bruce!

October 05 2010 at 11:23 AM Report abuse Permalink +10 rate up rate down Reply