Big Dem Congress Lead
by Scott Rasmussen
Issue 112 - July 23, 2008

Republicans have gained some ground, but Democrats continue to lead by double-digits in the Generic Congressional Ballot. The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey found that, if given the choice, 46% of voters would choose their district’s Democratic candidate, while 36% would vote for the Republican candidate.

The two parties are even among men but Democrats enjoy an eighteen point lead among women.

Last week, the Democrats were ahead 47% to 34%. From now through Election Day, Rasmussen Reports is tracking the Generic Congressional Ballot on a weekly basis. Crosstabs are available for Premium Members. Support for the Democrats this week is actually the lowest it’s been since the end of April. But, support for both parties has stayed in a very narrow range. Since weekly tracking on this question began in June, support for Democratic congressmen has ranged from 47% to 48%. Support for the GOP has ranged from 34% to 35%.

Among voters not affiliated with either political party, Republicans and Democrats are essentially even in this poll. But, there are more Democrats in the nation than Republicans.

While the Democrats have a 56% to 26% advantage among voters who see economic issues as the top issues of the election, the Republicans lead 57% to 29% among voters who think that of National Security. Democrats have a big lead among voters who see domestic issues, such as health care and Social Security, as the most important in the upcoming election. Republicans have the advantage among voters who believe Cultural and Fiscal issues are the most important.

Last week, approval ratings of Congress hit their lowest levels ever. Just 9% of voters believe Congress is doing a good or excellent job, while 52% said Congress is doing a poor job. The Rasmussen Consumer Index shows consumer confidence continues to hover around all-time lows. A survey released today shows that most adults believe high gas prices are the biggest short term threat to the economy, while a different survey finds that 62% of voters favor drilling offshore oil wells as a possible solution.

Scott Rasmussen, president of Rasmussen Reports, has been an independent pollster for more than a decade. The Rasmussen Reports ElectionEdge Premium Service for Election 2008 offers the most comprehensive public opinion coverage ever provided for a Presidential election.