In the News
Americans Trust Democrats More Than GOP to Handle Nation's Problems
[Politics Daily, Bruce Drake, 11/17/09]
Americans trust Democrats more than Republicans by 47 percent to 31 percent to do a better job in coping with the main problems the country will be facing over the next few years, according to a Washington Post/ABC News poll conducted Nov. 12-15. Seventeen percent said they trusted neither and 3 percent were undecided.
Although some polls have been pointing to an improving political climate for Republicans, this one found that Americans also believe by double-digit margins than Democrats better represent their personal values and are more concerned with their needs
Forty-nine percent said the Democrats better represent their person values compared to 39 percent who chose Republicans, with 9 percent saying neither. Fifty-one percent said the Democrats were more concerned with the needs of people like themselves compared to 36 percent for the Republicans with 9 percent saying neither.
The numbers of the personal values question have not fluctuated much since March, but on the question of who Americans believe better understands their needs, the Democratic advantage dropped from last month when it was 58 percent to 30 percent.
Last week, a Gallup poll reported that Republicans had edged ahead of Democrats when it came to who they would vote for on a "generic" ballot.
The poll also found signs of an anti-incumbent mood - something pointed to also in a recent Pew Research Center poll - with 50 percent saying they were inclined to "look around" when it came to who to support in next year's House elections while 38 percent said they would re-elect their representative. Six percent answered "depends" and 5 percent were undecided.
Sixty-one percent say Republican leaders are "mainly criticizing Obama's proposing without presenting alternatives) compared to 31 percent who believe the GOP is presenting alternatives.
Looking at President Obama's performance, 56 percent approve of the job he's doing compared to 42 percent who do not, about the same as last month.
On specific issues, 51 percent approve of his handling of the economy while 47 percent do not; 49 percent disapprove of his handling of health care compared to 47 percent who have a positive view; 53 percent disapprove of his handling of the deficit compared to 42 percent who approve; 60 percent back him on handling international affairs compared to 37 percent who do not; 48 percent disapprove of his handling of the situation in Afghanistan compared to 45 percent who approve; and, 53 percent approve of his handling of the threat of terrorism compared to 41 percent who disapprove.
http://www.politicsdaily.com/2009/11/17/americans-trust-democrats-more-than-republicans-on-key-issues/
