|
|
"A comprehensive, collaborative elections resource."
|
GOP in danger of losing independents
|
|---|
| Parent(s) |
Party
|
| Contributor | RP |
| Last Edited | RP Sep 24, 2007 02:20pm |
| Logged |
0
|
| Category | Poll |
| Media | Newspaper - USA Today |
| News Date | Sunday, September 23, 2007 07:00:00 PM UTC0:0 |
| Description | ichael Brooks is exactly the kind of voter the Republican Party can ill afford to lose. But in a foreboding omen for 2008, it may have already done just that.
The auto parts store worker from St. Charles, Missouri, says he used to be a Republican but felt abandoned and is now an independent.
"For some reason or other, they didn't seem to be for the masses anymore," said Brooks, 59, citing a lack of help for middle-income earners. He said he voted for George W. Bush in 2000, thinking the Republican was "more middle of the road, for the people. Obviously I was incorrect."
Brooks is not alone. From coast to coast, independent voters tilt tellingly toward Democrats in their opposition to the Iraq war, their displeasure with Bush and their feeling that the country is moving in the wrong direction, according to data from recent Associated Press-Ipsos polls.
National exit polls show that after leaning toward Republicans by 48% to 45% as recently as the 2002 elections, independents began shifting toward Democrats.
The trickle became a wave by the 2006 congressional elections. Dissatisfaction with Bush and the Iraq war ran high, and independents favored Democratic candidates over Republicans by 57% to 39%. That was instrumental in the Democrats' capture of congressional control after a dozen years of Republican dominance — and a possible preview of what might emerge next year.
"This is a serious problem" for Republicans, says Republican pollster Neil Newhouse. "We didn't get where we are among independents overnight. The data does suggest that it's going to take us some time to earn those votes back. There is no quick fix." |
| Share |
|
|
2¢
|
|
| Article | Read Full Article |
|
| Date |
Category |
Headline |
Article |
Contributor |
|
|
