Big trouble for GOPiggies, according to new poll by conservative group.

Club For Growth Poll Spells Trouble For GOP

A new survey commissioned by the Club For Growth forebodes major problems for congressional Republicans at the ballot box unless, the conservative group says, a change is made in the House GOP leadership.

The survey of voters in 20 congressional districts currently held by GOP incumbents shows Republicans struggling both in generic match-ups against Democrats and on the specific issues of corruption and ethics. The release of the group's polling comes two days before the GOP conference is scheduled to vote on a new majority leader; the Club For Growth has endorsed Arizona Rep. John Shadegg in the race.

There appears to be little good news in the data for Republicans. Only 29 percent of the sample said America was on the "right track" at the moment compared to 62 percent who said it had gone off in the "wrong direction." President Bush was viewed favorably by 40 percent and unfavorably by 52 percent -- roughly in keeping with his ratings nationwide in a series of recent polls. Republicans in Congress rated a 35 percent favorable score and a 45 percent unfavorable score -- not much different than congressional Democrats who had a 34/39 favorable-unfavorable score.

The corruption issue appears to be a major problem for Republicans. Asked what "issue or action" the respondents most associated with the current Republican leadership, "corrupt/dishonest" ranked second behind only Iraq in voters' minds. And when asked to describe the "level of ethical misconduct in Congress today," 80 percent of those tested said the transgressions were either "serious" (50 percent) or "scandalous" (30 percent). Only 14 percent described them as "minor."

...

http://blogs.washingtonpost.com/thefix/

Jaws of victory, notwithstanding this great setback.

how true, how sad, how bad.

"The survey of voters in 20 congressional districts currently held by GOP incumbents shows Republicans struggling both in generic match-ups against Democrats and on the specific issues of corruption and ethics."

And Bush still gets only 40% approval. Sounds like time for another Osama video to "appear".

Why not urge our party leaders to hammer on the ethics issues, to vigorously attack budget and tax cut issues, to further illuminate the issues surrounding wiretapping abuse as a precursor to the upcoming hearings? Since I know that Senator Obama has been designated the point man for ethics issues, I would urge a communications campaign to the Senator that encourages a vigorous debate and expose of ethics issues and campaign finance reform. In the wake of the Abramoff scandal, I believe there is an opportune time to reach out to moderate Republicans to effect RADICAL changes in campaign finance. A move toward public financing would be the ultimate. It makes grassroots even more effective. I also want to see Diebold machines trashed. Where is the party focus toward disqualifying the use of these machines in the various states?

People keep forgetting that Alito was Bush's second choice behind Harriet Myers, a clear escalation toward the more radical conservative. Do you think if we somehow filibustered Alito that Bush and the Republicans would have assented to a moderate? Not a chance. The fact is there is NOTHING we could have done along party lines to defeat any SCOTUS nominee given the current political climate. People don't seem to be hurting enough to be motivated, polls and economic indicators notwithstanding. Can you underestimate the stupidity/apathy of the American public when there are still 40 % of the electorate that support the Iraq war?

We need to think long term and understand there is no quick fix here. Set goals to make gains in two steps- 2006 close the gaps in the House and the Senate and in 2008 win the Presidency and at least one of the houses of congress. In the process we should clearly articulate a progressive domestic agenda while establishing an alternative vision for the foreign policy/Iraq front. Be clear that we will spare no effort to defend this country, that we will not refuse to respond militarily, but will do so only as a last resort. Extremes on foreign policy are bad news..no matter which end they originate. Remind the public that the Democratic party has resided over the country during its most monumental war conflicts. We have a rich tradition of defense of the nation, one that ALL Americans are justifiably proud. This is an ideal time to get the American people thinking about the lost opportunities to focus on domestic problems given the misplaced priorities in Iraq. Refocus our budget priorities in favor of a domestic agenda. Press the need to kill the tax cuts in favor of funding health, education and infrastructure/rebuilding issues such as those in NOLA. This is the strength of our party. This is why I am a Democrat. This is why our party is different from the rest--we believe in the welfare and participation of our ENTIRE society. This gives me the FIRE I need to get up and get the job done. I think the public will be very receptive to an agenda that addresses jobs, health-care and fiscal and environmental responsibility with a foreign policy vision that stresses the need for international cooperation as a means to achieve a comprehensive national security plan. Rather than fight the DLC, we need to modify their agenda to encompass issues that address the full range of the concerns of our constituency. Without that change we move from presently courting to consummating the demise of our party.

You're either with us or against us...


Obama