Is There a Democratic Surge?

As we come ever closer to the midterm elections, the Economist/YouGov Poll shows no indication of a surge in support for Democratic candidates for the U.S. House of Representatives – in fact, it suggests the opposite – and little or no change in public assessment of the President’s performance in office.

Once again, the President’s approval rating is near its all-time low, with just 42% approving of the way he is handling his job as President. 52% disapprove. 59% of independents disapprove.

On the critical issue of the economy, the President gets only a 35% approval rating – with 58% disapproving. That is only three points above his all-time low of 32% on this issue, as measured in late August.

And the Republicans now hold an eight-point lead when it comes to likely voters’ choices for the U.S. House of Representatives. 52% of likely voters say they will vote or are leaning towards voting for Republican candidates for the U.S. House in their district; 44% choose the Democrats candidate.

Last week, Republicans had a four-point lead – 49% to 45%.

Americans still have a slightly more positive view of the Democratic Party than of the Republican Party – which means only that fewer are unfavorable towards the Democrats than the Republicans. Both parties have suffered drops in favorability in the last two weeks.

Favorability Ratings

Favorable opinions about the Tea Party have also dropped in the last two weeks: now just 35% are favorable, 44% are not.

Favorability Ratings

Independent voters give the Republican Party a slight edge here. And they have mixed feelings about the Tea Party: just about as many independents have a favorable as an unfavorable opinion of it.

Image source: flickr (cliff1066)