While I was searching around various polling sources, I found this interesting tidbit from ABC News:
N E W Y O R K, Nov. 4— A year from the next presidential election, the nation stands at a rare point of political parity: Across 2003 precisely equal numbers of Americans have identified themselves as Democrats, Republicans and independents, a first in 23 years of ABCNEWS polling.
The year's averages — 31 percent for each group — mark an uneven but long-term rise among Republicans, to a new high, and the fewest Democrats in annual averages since 1981. All else being equal, the trends suggest continued Republican competitiveness in election politics, albeit far from the Democrats' onetime dominance in sub-presidential races.
And something that's going to burn you up for sure - Gallup says VP Cheney has a 55% favorable to 33% unfavorable approval rating. How red's your face getting? Taken your blood pressure meds today? LOL.
gallup.com
Even more interesting - Gallup says that, at the end of October, Bush enjoyed a significantly higher approval rating among young Americans than older ones. Among 18-29-year-olds, Bush had a 63% favorable rating while the 30-plus crowd had him at 53% favorable.
It also seems that young people are more trusting of the federal government in general, with 50% of the post-Vietnam age group saying they "trust the government in Washington to do what is right... just about always [or] most of the time". 36% of the 30+ group expressed that degree of trust.
In another potentially shocking statistic, Gallup says significantly more young people identify themselves as Republicans than Democrats, by a 30% to 24% margin.
gallup.com
Doesn't bode well for the angry, cynical, protest-loving, Vietnam-bred core of Democratic party support, does it?
PS: As of Friday, Gallup has Bush beating Clark by 50% to 47%, Kerry, Gephart or Leiberman by 52% to 46%, and Dean by 53% to 44%. Imagine how those numbers will shift as the strong economy begins to be reflected in them. After all, one of the polls said the vast majority of voters see the economy as the #1 issue in this election. |
