The Republican Party claims the same percentage of the American population amongst its ranks as its Democratic counterpart for the first time since 2005.
Despite having lost two elections in a row and a member of its caucus in the Senate recently, Republicans have found a silver lining: For the first time since 2005, the same percentage of the population identifies as a member of the Republican Party as the Democratic Party.
Gallup polls taken between May 7th and 10th shows that 32% of Americans identify themselves as members of the GOP. The same percentages consider themselves Democrats. A surprising 34% of Americans identify with neither party, instead listing their affiliation as “Independent”. The two major parties are tied when “leaners” are added in, too.
Why the sudden shift of support to a party that just lost the White House a few months ago? Issues in the past few weeks seem to have benefited the right side of the aisle. News of mounting deficits as a result of President Obama’s plans, controversy over past enhanced interrogation techniques, the revelation that the president intends to continue military trials at Guantanamo Bay, and an increasing number of Americans identifying themselves as “pro-life” all seem to have helped the GOP gain support.
Now the question is whether the embattled party can maintain that growing advantage.
Via Hot Air.
by Dalton McCallum on Mon, May 18, 2009