Reply #4: Another Pew poll: Economic Pessimism Grows, Gas Prices Pinch [View All]

[bluedawg12]

Now this is favorable news!

http://people-press.org/reports/display.php3?ReportID=257

>>Economic Pessimism Grows, Gas Prices Pinch
Independents Back Democrats on Most Issues, Congressional Midterms


Released: September 15, 2005

Summary of Findings

A summer's worth of bad news, culminating with Hurricane Katrina, has taken a toll on the publics mood, particularly when it comes to views of the economy and energy costs. The publics economic expectations, while hardly robust in the spring, have grown much more negative. Nearly four-in-ten (37%) think economic conditions will be worse a year from now, up from 24% in May and 18% in January. At the same time, higher energy prices are now having a major impact on Americans' daily lives, with 70% saying they are driving less to save money on gas<

-And this is huge FOR DEMS--

>As was the case in the spring, Americans are largely critical of the overall performance of both major parties. But the Republicans face greater political dangers. In an early test of strength on next year's midterm elections, Republicans trail by 52%-40% among registered voters. Equally important, Democrats are favored on most major issues. Even on terrorism, which consistently has been a Republican strength, the GOP's advantage has narrowed. <


>Economic Perceptions


More Americans hold a pessimistic outlook on the nation's economic prospects than at any time during Bush's presidency.

By two-to-one (37%-18%), more believe the economy will be in worse shape a year from now than believe things will improve. In August 2004, just 9% said they expected the economy to worsen over the succeeding 12 months. That number doubled to 18% in January, and has doubled again (to 37%).
<

***Democratic Party Issue Advantage


The Democratic Party is widely seen as the party better able to handle a wide range of policy issues.

In addition to favoring the Democratic Party on its traditional strengths such as reforming the health care system and protecting the environment, pluralities today also pick the Democrats to handle energy problems, Social Security, and education. On the important issues of the economy and Iraq, the public is more divided, with the Democrats holding only a slight edge. And on the issue of ensuring that the government can handle major disasters, 40% favor the Democrats, while 34% choose the Republicans. ***

This is the stuff where we should be kicking ass and taking no hostages.

It sounds like the people are angry at the government, but they are starting to see the Dems in favorable light when it comes to issue by issue analysis.