Issue #99

by Art Kelly

1. Voters trust Republicans more on the issues but still give a slight edge to Democrats on affiliation.

A new Rasmussen survey finds that the American people think the Republican Party is better than the Democratic Party on nine out ten key issues.

The GOP is favored by large margins on the economy, health care, taxes, Social Security, immigration, Iraq, national security, and abortion. Republicans hold a slight lead on education, while the Democrats have a tiny edge on government ethics.

Here are the complete results:

The ten issues average 45.8% for the Republicans to 36.4% for the Democrats, a 9.4% margin for the GOP.

In light of these results, it is puzzling that another Rasmussen poll finds that 35.4% of the people consider themselves as Democrats and 33.0% call themselves Republicans, a 2.4% margin for the Democrats.

The 36.4% who identify with the Democrats on the issues is only 1% different from the 35.4% who are self-identified Democrats. But the 33.0% who are self-identified Republicans is 12.8% less than those who say they trust Republicans on the issues.

The GOP appears to be drawing significant support from independents on the issues but not on party identification.

In looking to the 2010 congressional elections, the latest Rasmussen Reports has the Republicans at 44% to 38% for the Democrats with 18% undecided, a 6% margin for the GOP.

The Gallup Poll has the Republicans ahead by only 2%, 46% to 44% with 10% undecided.

The GOP’s 44% in Rasmussen and 46% in Gallup is almost identical. The difference in the two polls is that Rasmussen measures the Democrats at 38%, while Gallup has them at 44%--a 6% difference. Gallup believes the undecided vote is 10%, but Rasmussen thinks it is 18%. It may be Rasmussen’s universe includes more persons who will not vote in this non-presidential election year.

Gallup did find a significant advantage for the GOP in their enthusiasm, indicating a higher turnout in the November elections. 38% of grassroots Republicans say they are very enthusiastic about voting versus only 25% for the Democrats.

This may explain why the Obama Administration is moving sharply to the left in their public policies. Faced with the prospect of a poor turnout on election day, Democrats are trying to energize the liberals who constitute their base. However, pursing extreme leftist policies will almost certainly alienate moderate and split ticket voters.

New state polls from Rasmussen Reports:

North Carolina Senate
Sen. Richard Burr (R) 52%
Elaine Marshall (D) 37%
Other candidates 4%
Undecided 7%

Oklahoma Senate
Sen. Tom Coburn (R) 62%
Mark Myles (D) 27%
Other candidates 4%
Undecided 6%

Kansas Governor
Sam Brownback (R) 59%
Tom Holland (D) 31%
Other candidates 4%
Undecided 5%

Pennsylvania Governor
Tom Corbett (R) 49%
Dan Onorato (D) 39%
Other candidates 4%
Undecided 8%

Ohio Governor
John Kasich (R) 47%
Gov. Ted Strickland 40%
Other candidates 3%
Undecided 10%