There are many reasons that Republicans lost control of Congress last week. On one level, people just didn’t think Congress was doing its job very well. However, it is also clear that the GOP lost its edge on an issue that Ronald Reagan once claimed solely for the Republicans--taxes.
As Election 2006 was unfolding, just 15% of Americans rated the performance of Congress as good or excellent. A Rasmussen Reports survey of 1,000 Likely voters found that 33% gave Congressional performance a “fair” rating while 50% said poor.
In the immediate aftermath of his nomination to replace Donald Rumsfeld, Robert Gates is viewed favorably by 41% of Americans and unfavorably by 27%.
John McCain (R) would defeat Barack Obama (D) 47% to 39% in a 2008 Presidential Election match-up. Rudy Giuliani (R) would defeat the rising Democratic star by a similar margin, 48% to 39%.
Senator John McCain (R) would defeat Senator Hillary Clinton (D) 48% to 43% in the 2008 Presidential Election if it were held at this time.
Following Election 2006, the nation can look forward to our first female Speaker of the House. Another woman, Senator Hillary Clinton, is the initial frontrunner for the 2008 Democratic Presidential nomination.
Democrats carried the day in Election 2006, and the 2008 campaign has already begun. Former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani leads the GOP field and is supported by 24%. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice is in second with 18% support.
Both the incoming and the outgoing Speaker of the House are viewed favorably by 24% of Americans. Nancy Pelosi (D) is viewed favorably by 24% and unfavorably by 44%.
A majority of voters surveyed (52%) believe it is better to have control of the federal government split between Republicans and Democrats. Thirty percent (30%) disagree, saying that single-party control is a better approach.
Data from 15,000 interviews conducted during October highlighted the magnitude of this perception gap on the economy. Sixty-three percent (63%) of Republicans rate the U.S. economy as good or excellent. Just 21% of Democrats share that optimism.
Missouri’s Senate race remains the closest in the nation. The latest Rasmussen Reports election survey shows incumbent Jim Talent (R) “leading” challenger Claire McCaskill (D) by a single point, 49% to 48%.
In the most recent Rasmussen Hillary Meter survey, former First Lady Hillary Clinton has shifted three points to the left on the ideological continuum to 58 points left of the nation’s political center.
On the morning before Election Day, the Rasmussen Reports Senate Balance of Power summary rates 48 seats as Democrat or Leans Democrat, 48 seats as Republican or Leans Republican, and four Toss-Ups that will determine control of the Senate.
In Tennessee, Republican Mayor Bob Corker now leads Democratic Congressman Harold Ford 51% to 47%. This campaign has been one of the most volatile in Election 2006.
In Montana, Senator Conrad Burns (R) has been mounting a furious comeback. Our final Montana poll of this election season shows Tester leading by just two points--50% to 48%.
The latest Rasmussen Reports poll of the bitterly fought U.S. Senate race in Virginia shows the contest too close to call, with both Republican Senator George Allen and Democratic challenger James Webb collecting 49%.
Missouri’s Senate race is shaping up to be a nail-biter to the very end. The latest Rasmussen Reports election survey shows Claire McCaskill hanging on to a one-point lead over incumbent U.S. Sen. Jim Talent--49% to 48%.
On the final Saturday of Election 2006, the race for control of the Senate is tied. The Rasmussen Reports Senate Balance of Power summary now rates 49 seats as Democrat or Leans Democrat and 49 seats as Republican or Leans Republican and two as Toss-Ups.
The most recent Rasmussen Reports election survey shows Democrat Sherrod Brown taking firmer control of the race with a 53% to 41% lead over incumbent U.S. Sen. Mike DeWine.
In Tennessee's frenetic race for U.S. Senate, Republican Mayor Bob Corker now leads Democratic Congressman Harold Ford 53% to 45%.
