America's seeing red: More prefer Republicans to Democrats in recent poll

BY Michael Mcauliff
DAILY NEWS WASHINGTON BUREAU

Originally Published:Wednesday, November 11th 2009, 12:31 PM
Updated: Wednesday, November 11th 2009, 12:31 PM


For the first time in at least 7 years, voters prefer Republicans to Democrats.

If Democrats were not worried by losing the New Jersey and Virginia governorships this month, Gallup has some data today that should put a deep chill in their bones.

For the first time in years, the GOP has the lead in generic ballot preferences over Democrats. That is, if people are asked whether they’ll vote for an unnamed Democrat or Republican for Congress, 48% are saying they’ll back the Republican, versus 44% who will choose the Democrat.

We’re not sure of the last time that was true, but 2002 was the last especially strong year for the GOP, and the Democrats have been very strong since March 2006.

The reversal of fortunes began in the spring, but has accelerated with the victories of Bob McDonnell and Chris Christie.

A lot is driven by the economy, and it’s mostly independents fleeing Democrats. Back in July, independents were about evenly split. Now they favor the Republican Party by a huge 22-point margin.

With numbers like that, it’s easy to see why Democrats hope conservatives keep splitting the right-leaning vote the way they did in NY-23, allowing Democrat Bill Owens to win.

There are even more signs of trouble in a Quinnipiac survey today of Ohio, where Democratic Gov. Ted Strickland — immensely popular not very long ago — has fallen from a 46% to 36% lead over little-known former congressman and Fox News talker John Kasich in September to a 40-40 tie.

“We still have a year to go, but Kasich is in much better shape than one could have imaged earlier this year,â€