Congressional Democrats Surge in Public Ratings on Economy

See what happens when we fight?

http://www.gallup.com/poll/releases/pr030724.asp

PRINCETON, NJ -- A new Gallup Poll shows that since January, there has been a significant shift in public sentiment about which of the two political parties in Congress can best deal with selected issues. The largest shift has been in the area of the economy, with Democrats now favored by 17 percentage points, while Republicans were favored by one point last January. Democrats' ratings have also improved in the areas of foreign affairs, the federal budget deficit, and the situation in Iraq (note: the poll was conducted before the Tuesday announcement that American forces had killed Saddam Hussein's two sons). On four other issues, there has been no change in ratings.

<snip>

2003 Jul 18-20 (sorted by Republican "advantage")


............Republicans Democrats Republican Advantage

Terrorism 55 29 +26
The situation with Iraq 51 36 +15
Foreign affairs 46 41 +5
Education 37 49 -12
The federal budget deficit 37 50 -13
The economy 36 53 -17
Unemployment 35 54 -19
Prescription drugs for older Americans 31 53 -22

<snip>

Change in Republican Advantage (compared to January)
Terrorism -2
The situation with Iraq -9
Foreign affairs -12
Education +1
The federal budget deficit -9
The economy -18
Unemployment +1
Prescription drugs for older Americans +1

<snip>

Results are based on telephone interviews with 1,003 national adults, aged 18 and older, conducted July 18-20, 2003. For results based on the total sample of national adults, one can say with 95% confidence that the margin of sampling error is ±3 percentage points.

I did and heard right back that they appreciated the praise.

http://www.dccc.org/
I get regular mails from them, and I have lately been impressed. There is a place to sign up for emails or to donate.

Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee

Also here is the site for the DSCC
http://www.dscc.org/welcome/

Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee

It's always encourageing to see what's been happening that you DON'T see covered in the press.

On the one hand, this is like a roadmap as to how Dems should run in 2004. The key is in convincing Americans that your issues are the important issues. If Dems can argue that education, the federal budget deficit, the economy, unemployment and prescription drugs for older Americans are the most important issues, they'll win. (Note, that W's entire presidency has been devoted to trying to convince and scare Americans to believe that they're srtong issues are more important that the economy, etc. Has he succeeded?)

On the other hand, I'm amazed by the downward trend for some of the Republican stronghold issues. Nonetheless, I just don't see the value in Democrats not speaking to their strong issues while trying to reverse the perception on their weak issues. Of course the Dems should capitalize on the downward trend for Republicans, but they REALLY need to hammer home the idea that national security and foreign affairs flow down from an America with a stong domestic economy with a wealthy middle class, and, therefore, the Democrats' issues are the most important issues.

There is no reason why we can't get our numbers higher on those issues, too. There is no reason to ignore those issues. We work on them up until a month or so before the election, then decide what to ignore/play down.

It's the economy that counts and it's going to be getting alot worse, regardless of what Greenspan and the bubblevision say. Bush's only hope is have another war just before elections or create another terrorism event like 911. This time, I think more will be watching his hands.

I'm particularly encouraged by this one:

Prescription drugs for older Americans (Pugs) 31 (Dems) 53 (Pub Advantage) -22

My grandparents are very conservative Southern Baptists, but in our discussions, they have told me that this is their number one issue. They are worried about their future, and are also terrified about the social security situation. They told me they will vote for the Democrat if they aren't satisfied with the Pugs' performance on senior citizens' issues. I suspect they are not alone. And as we all know, senior citizens vote.

We need to show that we Democrats are the party of national security. We must offer an alternative to this B.S!!!
Bob Graham has showed that he is a credible voice on this issue. I am considering supporting him.