December 9th, 2009

Poll: Democratic Party in Free Fall on Economic Issues

It's hard to imagine more dire news for the Democratic Party than the results of the most recent Ipsos-McClatchy poll.

According to the survey, the Democratic Party has suffered a serious decline in favorability over the past year.

At the end of November, 2008, Democrats had a net +27 favorable rating (61 fav/34 unfav).

Today the gap is just +5, with 51% holding a favorable view of the Democratic Party and 46% holding an unfavorable view.

Things look especially bleak on economic-related issues. Consider:

In the past year, the Democrats' substantial lead over Republicans on the question of which party can do a better job of handling the economy has completely evaporated. Last November Democrats held a 21-point advantage on that question, 58 to 37. Today their lead is down to just a single point, 40 to 39.

On the issue of taxes, Democrats are now running two points behind Republicans after leading last year by a 17 point margin, 52-35.

Ditto the issue of economic growth.

A 30-point Democratic advantage last November is now a 3-point deficit to Republicans, 38 to 41.

On the issue of making America competitive in the world economy, the Democrats' 20 point advantage last November is down to just three.

The biggest shift of all comes on the question of who can better deal with the federal budget deficit.

Last year Democrats lead Republicans 56 to 26.

Today, Republicans lead Democrats on the issue by a 41 to 34 margin - a net 37-point swing in just over twelve months.

Lastly, on the issue of which party can do a better job of reforming the United States health care system, Democrats' advantage over Republicans has gone from 39 points (62-23)last year down to just 4 points today (40-36).

http://realclearpolitics.blogs.time.com ... ic-issues/