TPMDC
Poll: GOP's Favorability At Its Worst In A Decade
Eric Kleefeld | October 23, 2009, 2:48PM
RNC Chairman Michael Steele
Share
Send to a friend!
A new CNN poll has some really bad news for the Republican Party, with their favorability number reaching its lowest in a decade.
Only 36% of people view the GOP favorably, with an outright majority of 54% viewing them unfavorably. By comparison, the Democratic Party is at 53% favorable to 41% unfavorable -- hardly a good omen for the Republicans if they want to make significant gains in 2010.
The last time the GOP was this bad in CNN's polling was in December 1998, in the heat of the impeachment battles, when they were at 31%-57%.
From the pollster's analysis: "The Republican party may still be battling the legacy left to them by George W. Bush. They have also spent a lot of time in 2009 working against Democratic proposals. That hasn't left them a lot of time so far this year to present a positive, post-Bush message. Of course, there is still plenty of time for them to do so before the 2010 midterms."
Other Stories Featured at TPMDC
Join the Conversation!
Leave a comment
Follow us!
PollTracker
Most Popular
- Gavin Newsom Throws Tantrum In First Interview Since Dropping Gov. Bid
- The Public Option Dead End
- Al Gore: I'll "Outcrazy the Crazy"
- Harry Reid, and What Happened to the Public Option
- Schumer: We'd Like Republican Support, But 'We're Not Going To Not Pass A Bill'
- Bachmann: 'I Don't Understand Why The Democratic Party Would Be Opposed To Me'
- What Did We Learn From Saturday's Health Care Vote
- San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom Loses Patience in CBS5 Interview
- Dean: There's No Real Insurance Reform In Health Care Bills
- Coburn: I Acted As Ensign-Hampton Go-Between
- Lieberman Repeats Claim That Public Option Not Part Of 2008 Presidential Campaign
- Senate Agrees To Debate Health Care Bill
- Is Everybody Disappointed In Obama?
- Bernie Sanders: 'My Vote For The Final Bill Is By No Means Guaranteed'
- November 22
- I Call Bullshit.
- HCAN: "It's a Shame Not a Single Republican" Voted To Allow Debate
- Steele: 'Moderate Democrats Sacrificed Their Principles'
- THE EXPERT AS THE DANGEROUS WHORE
- Intel Inside? Prove It.
- Where Does This Leave Us?
- Filibuster Thwarted ... For Now
- I Call Bullshit.
- Is Everybody Disappointed In Obama?
- Establishment Reality
- THE EXPERT AS THE DANGEROUS WHORE
- The Cast Has Assembled
- Bernie Sanders: I Want My Leverage!
- Clinton Not Attending Health Care Event Because it's Politicized?
- Time to contact the FCC
TPM Stories Now Surging on Digg.com
TPM Top News
© 2009 TPM Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Michael A
October 23, 2009 2:52 PM
What I want to know is who in the hell is in that 36%. Are they brain dead? That's alot of brain dead people.
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
musgrove
October 23, 2009 3:00 PM in reply to Michael A
pretty much, in every poll u see this 1/3 pf america that is just retarded.
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
_jonny_5_
October 23, 2009 5:16 PM in reply to musgrove
I think it's just oversampling of stupid people
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
Doc Magnus
October 23, 2009 7:08 PM in reply to musgrove
I just had the thought today that one accomplishment of the Obama administration was surfacing the fact that one-third of Americans have need of clinical psychological help -- might be a sub-strategy for health care reform.
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
Kuyleh
October 24, 2009 4:46 PM in reply to musgrove
Like people such as yourself that can't spell "you"?
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
MonicaDickey
October 24, 2009 7:07 PM in reply to Michael A
I think some people just salivate at the terms "small business" "anti-terrorism" and "socialism" and will do whatever their local millionaire's strategic talking points and "grass roots" campaigns tells them to do about it.
Look at TEA parties, completely stupid but it makes people feel like they are connected to the founding fathers, building up their small business chances and preventing socialism.
the GOP can talk in magic, it's a crazy phenomenon
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
Lou
October 24, 2009 10:11 PM in reply to Michael A
Maybe it meant on the entire planet
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
Dunvegan
October 25, 2009 8:40 PM in reply to Michael A
Republicans still holding onto 36%?
Must be they're only polling adults that use Fisher-Price phones.
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
Jim H
October 23, 2009 2:56 PM
Of course, the GOP's lesson from this will be to demand Obama be impeached.
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
Why oh why
October 23, 2009 2:57 PM
Steele and McCain have got the Democrats right where they want them!
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
jerryfatheart
October 23, 2009 3:01 PM
This will not, of course, deter the media from "reporting" that the GOP is gaining momentum for the midterms.
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
Leftist Pinko
October 23, 2009 3:02 PM
who dat
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
johnmccsf
October 23, 2009 3:16 PM
Yes you can!
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
CT Voter
October 23, 2009 3:20 PM
I'm guessing this is excellent news for Sarah Palin. Or something.
It's pretty startling when Jeb Bush and Newt Gingrich are the "reasonable" Republicans.
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
VictorLH
October 23, 2009 3:23 PM
GOP = Rump Party for Racists and Inbred Ignoramuses.
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
ogliberal
October 23, 2009 3:36 PM
This is why the "FoxNews isn't a real news organization" strategy is a good one. Most people in our country - a very large majority - don't watch FoxNews. Many of those people either don't pay attention to FoxNews while many others probably agree with the WH - FoxNews is an arm of the GOP. I'm not talking about just Dems...I'm talking about indies and moderate/liberal GOPers (are there any). By stating the obvious about FoxNews, the WH now has the GOP defending FoxNews. This, to many, will further convince them that the WH is right...that FoxNews is an arm of the GOP. And they'll associate all the nutiness that comes out of Fox with the GOP, sinking the GOP's approval even further.
The WH did the same thing with Rush. This isn't about Rush and it isn't about FoxNews. The WH isn't going to change either and who cares if, as a result, FoxNews average viewing base goes from 2.25M (where it was in 3Q09) to 3M...there are 300M people in this country and that would still mean that 297M of them don't watch FoxNews. This about tying the GOP to FoxNews nutiness.
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
CityGuy
October 23, 2009 9:20 PM in reply to ogliberal
My thoughts exactly! Obama is probably the coolest political tactician this country has seen in many years. The "fight" with Faux News was carefully thought out. And I believe it is working in precisely the way you have outlined.
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
Homefries
October 23, 2009 10:16 PM in reply to ogliberal
At the risk of being labeled a fanboi, I'd say Obama's other strat is simply keeping the liberal base riled up. Without drama motivating liberals who are "outraged" at this or that betrayal, O has significantly less leverage with a Congress that is uncomfortable with meaningful change.
He could fool us all and end up disappointing us in the end, but that seems less likely each day. As it stands, he's the most impressive politician in my lifetime (since JFK). We sure as hell need somebody competent, we have a shit ton of serious problems facing us that have been put off waaay too long.
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
kaylaspop
October 24, 2009 10:26 PM in reply to ogliberal
Pres. Obama is playing 8th dimension chess against Steele & Rove's checkers. Check (working on mate).
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
Overreach THIS!
October 25, 2009 10:59 AM in reply to ogliberal
Very good comment.
Comptelely agree with everything you say. And to me, it's a little deeper as well. House Maj. Whip Clyburn's statement about Joe Wilson has stuck in my craw: Dad told him never to forget that silence is consent.
For Obama to go on Fox News Sunday and give interviews to former journalist and current mega-prostitute Chris Wallace is to tell the electorate, "Yes, I believe this bought-and-paid for buffoon is not an agent of propaganda but a journalist." And that sends message to public, it's just fine to get your "news" from Fox and in doing that you are remaining and informed member of electorate. That's wrong, and there is no up side to him appearing either, so it is not only good politics as you say, but good policy and indeed a good exercise of Presidential leadership.
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
Winston Smith
October 23, 2009 5:11 PM
Hmmm...worst in a decade. I guess that means it was worse about two years before a complete and utter moron beat Al Gore for the presidency. I don't think it means much.
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
_jonny_5_
October 23, 2009 5:23 PM in reply to Winston Smith
"and utter moron beat Al Gore for the presidency"
I know, poor Al.
To be fair 5 Republican Appointed Supreme Court Justices beat Al Gore. He should've won him home state though and it would have been a moot point.
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
AJM
October 23, 2009 5:13 PM
"They have also spent a lot of time in 2009 working against Democratic proposals. That hasn't left them a lot of time so far this year to present a positive, post-Bush message."
The lame CNN analysis as presented misses a major point: the Republicans have found LOTS of time to present Birtherism, Death Panels and etc.
The Republicans would help themselves considerably if they would just shut up.
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
hologram5
October 23, 2009 5:37 PM
GOP's Favorability At Its Worst In A Decade
--------------------------
I would say it's the worst EVER! Like Grayson stated, if Obama wanted a BLT for lunch tomorrow, the GOP would try to ban bacon.
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
rightoverhere
October 23, 2009 6:50 PM
"The last time the GOP was this bad in *CNN's* polling"
Impressive! A network whose talkies do nothing but spread hate about the GOP has convinced its viewership to view the GOP as unfavorable!
I knew you're indoctrination techniques would work out in the long run. Keep it up, CNN
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
Signalman
October 23, 2009 8:40 PM in reply to rightoverhere
And they worked no less effectively than the indoctrination techniques of Fox News on the Fox viewership.
BTW, good job cutting the legs off your own argument.
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
AJM
October 24, 2009 8:40 AM in reply to rightoverhere
Telling the truth does often work. That's the whole theory behind democracy and the 1st Amendment.
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
Leftflank
October 23, 2009 10:17 PM
The FACT that the right spins everything 180 degrees probably explains why they see this as a positive. Bad news is good news. Losing is winning. The worst president (bush) ever was the best.
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
VexSmith
October 24, 2009 12:41 AM
It has less to do with the --putrid-- Bush legacy and is more a reflection on a shockingly inept and unattractive cadre of leadership movers and shakers.
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
JohnW1141
October 24, 2009 9:39 AM
Go back to the Clinton years and you find a hard core 32/33% who had nothing good to say about Clinton regardless of how much better their lives may have been under him, and its the same crowd that believed all the mindless lies about him; drug operation at Mena Airport, murdering Vince Foster, selling AIDS tainted blood to the Canadian Red Cross, etc.
They're the hard core fanatics of the Republican party and are just as active today as they were when Clinton was president.
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
Gericault
October 24, 2009 10:12 AM
What Up? Ailes/Palin 2012
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
Joe
October 24, 2009 11:42 AM
The Republican Party has become Monty Python's Silly Party. And the VERY SILLY faction is in purge mode!
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
EgregiousCharles
October 24, 2009 4:09 PM
Speaking as a Republican, I think Bush's putrid legacy has a lot to do with it. We also didn't like McCain at all, it's just that the alternatives were even worse.
I want someone who will work to
1) cut government spending, borrowing and taxes (except capital gains and income tax on interest could stay high)
2) eliminate all government definition of marriage (government does civil unions for gay and straight alike, marriage is up to you and your church or whomever)
3) win the war we're in, reduce vital interests outside the US to reduce need for future wars (building nuclear plants is #1 method here)
4) encourage tort reform, say with European-style 'loser pays',
5) start an exit strategy from the unwinnable 'war on drugs',
6) generally reduce government interference in every area.
Also, while I'm wishing for a politician that works to reduce the power of politicians, I want a pony.
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
EgregiousCharles
October 24, 2009 4:21 PM in reply to EgregiousCharles
Forgot repealing both Patriot Acts. We didn't need them for the first 225 years, I can't see how they're not more danger than safety even if they are useful to law enforcement now.
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
Publishermike
October 25, 2009 5:15 PM in reply to EgregiousCharles
You sound more like a libertarian than a republican.
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
stanjz
October 24, 2009 10:24 PM
How about the GOP stops engaging in propaganda? You can add the corporate media to that list. The media thinks it's their God given right to manipulate the public. You can tell that by their widespread defense of Fox News. They have most of the same sponsors as Fox. They advertise the Murdoch owned Dow Index on their channels all day long. They're huge multi-national corporations with the shared goal of low taxes and less regulation. Where in the Constitution does it say that a few wealthy people should control how all information is disseminated in this country? There is a reason we see so few scientists interviewed. They might as well have the CEO of Exxon Mobil come on TV and pretend he's a scientist and declare that global warming is a hoax.
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
EgregiousCharles
October 25, 2009 12:11 AM in reply to stanjz
"How about the GOP stops engaging in propaganda?"
Ceasing to advertise doesn't seem the most obvious response for an unpopular organization.
"The media thinks it's their God given right to manipulate the public."
No argument there.
"You can tell that by their widespread defense of Fox News." Nope, they just finally tired of the White House treating them as peons that could be ordered to spread the administration's version of things.
"They're huge multi-national corporations with the shared goal of low taxes and less regulation." Huge multinational corporations don't have a shared goal of lower taxes and less regulation. They have a goal of exemptions and subsidies for their own companies and higher taxes on the competition, and regulations that favor their product or process. Huge multinational corporations are much better positioned to bribe legislators than the rest of us, so regulation is just another competitive tool for them. They LOVE regulation that forces people to buy their products. Did you think that the DMCA just seemed like a good idea? Huge multinationals gain power as the government gains it, not the other way around; especially those huge multinationals that own major media and control voter's access to information. That, by the way, is what fascism is, and it thrives on increasing government power.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fascism
"Where in the Constitution does it say that a few wealthy people should control how all information is disseminated in this country?"
Given your mention of the Constitution, I assume you're implying regulation is the answer here. If you read the Constitution, you'll find that the cogent question is "Where in the Constitution is the government given power to regulate who owns the news?" The Constitution lays out a very small number of things that the government can do (mostly in Article 1, Section 8: army, navy, post office, 14 others) and explicitly (10th amendment) and implicitly (by bothering to enumerate powers) says that they can't do anything else.
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?