THAT’S ONE UNPOPULAR PARTY…. It seemed at least possible that in a post-election environment, the parties would get a honeymoon of sorts, at least until January.
Unfortunately for Republicans, that’s not the case. A new Gallup poll shows support for the GOP slipping even further now that the election has come and gone. (via Atrios)
The Republican Party’s image has gone from bad to worse over the past month, as only 34% of Americans in a Nov. 13-16 Gallup Poll say they have a favorable view of the party, down from 40% in mid-October. The 61% now holding an unfavorable view of the GOP is the highest Gallup has recorded for that party since the measure was established in 1992. […]
By contrast, the public’s views of the Democratic Party remain as positive after the election as they were just prior to it. More than half of Americans, 55%, currently hold a favorable view of the Democratic Party and only 39% an unfavorable view, highly typical of views toward the Democrats all year.
I thought, at first glance, that deteriorating economic conditions would put the public in such a dour mood that approval numbers would drop pretty much across the board. But that’s not the case — Republicans’ support is reaching new lows, while a clear majority continues to have a favorable impression of the Democrats.
Also note, Gallup asked Republicans, “Over the next few years, would you like to see the Republican Party and its candidates move in a more conservative direction, a less conservative direction, or stay about the same?” Nearly six in 10 (59%) want the party to move even further to the right, while 28% prefer to see the party stay right where it is. Only 12% of Republicans want to see their party become more moderate.
With results like that, it’s hard not to think the Republican Party will struggle for a long while to get back on track.
