PrintMay 14, 2009
Issue trends tilt toward GOP
Yuval Levin writing at the Corner highlights an excellent table compiled by RedState's Moe Lane on the changes in attitude regarding which party is better able to handle various issues.
Levin writes:
Moe Lane points to some interesting trends in Rasmussen issue polling over the past few months, suggesting the "Democrats Ascendant" storyline is not all it seems to be. Just before last year's election, the Democrats had a 13 point edge on economic issues, which is now down to 1 point. They even had a 3 point edge on handling national security, but today the GOP has a 7 point lead on those issues (and a 2 point lead on Iraq). Similarly, on taxes a 5 point Democratic lead has become a 6 point Republican lead. Here's his full table:
| | October 2008 | May 2009 | | ||||
| Issue | Dem | GOP | Diff | Dem | GOP | Diff | Cumulative Shift |
| Economy | 51% | 38% | 13 | 44% | 43% | 1 | (12) |
| Govt Ethics | 40% | 30% | 10 | 40% | 29% | 11 | 1 |
| National Sec. | 47% | 44% | 3 | 41% | 48% | (7) | (10) |
| Education | 53% | 34% | 19 | 49% | 36% | 13 | (6) |
| Healthcare | 54% | 34% | 20 | 53% | 35% | 18 | (2) |
| Taxes | 47% | 42% | 5 | 41% | 47% | (6) | (11) |
| Iraq | 47% | 42% | 5 | 41% | 43% | (2) | (7) |
| Social Security | 49% | 37% | 12 | 48% | 39% | 9 | (3) |
| Abortion | 47% | 38% | 9 | 41% | 41% | - | (9) |
| Immigration | 40% | 38% | 2 | 36% | 37% | (1) | (3) |
Not sure how the Democrats gained a point since last October on government ethics except it would appear the GOP still has a ways to come back on that issue.
Does this translate into electoral success? Not by itself but it shows that the constantly reiterated theme that the GOP is dying may be slightly premature.
Hat Tip: Ed Lasky
