GOP Gaining Strength on Issues
Public opinion on the Iraq war is well defined. It may be unfairly represented in terms of why most people want it to end but the fact remains it is no surprise most people favor a conclusion. Many people want a successful conclusion while others just want it to stop regardless of the outcome.
The midterms of last November were characterized by the Dems as a mandate to end the war. How they arrived at that conclusion is anyone’s guess. The most likely reason is that is simply how they wanted it to appear. Their performance thus far in the 110th Congress has seen their approval rating fall below the Presidential rating and score a record low over the last decade.
One poll from May shows the Dems being trusted more than the GOP on ten key issues.
Democrats Trusted More Than Republicans on 10 Key Issues
Thursday, May 24, 2007
Democrats are currently trusted more than Republicans on all ten issues measured in Rasmussen Reports tracking surveys. Democrats even have slight advantages on National Security and Taxes, two issues “owned” by Republicans during the generation since Ronald Reagan took office.On National Security, 46% now trust Democrats more while 43% prefer the GOP. On taxes, the Democrats have a five point advantage, 47% to 42%. Democrats enjoy double digit advantages on ethics and government corruption, the War in Iraq, Immigration, Education, Social Security, and Healthcare
When taken together the range of issues still have the polls showing the Dems being more trusted in May. With all the flack over illegal immigration and Congress and the President refusing to respond to public opinion, the numbers are beginning to change. The steadfast group of GOP members of Congress can take credit for this change.
Republicans Gain Trust on Immigration, Dems Still Have Edge on Ten Key Issues
Voters continue to trust Democrats more than Republicans on ten key issues tracked by Rasmussen Reports. In fact, the latest tracking update on five of these issues shows Democrats gaining ground modestly on four of the five issues. However, there is one major exception to the trend—immigration.
A month ago, the Democrats had a fourteen-point advantage on the immigration issue.
Several other political leaders identified with the Senate Immigration bill have been hurt politically by it. Arizona Senator John McCain, once seen as the dominant frontrunner for the GOP nomination, has fallen to fourth place in the polls.
It can be argued that illegal immigration is as polarizing as the Iraq war on public opinion. The American public’s tendency to be fair overall may explain some poll findings. What is clear is that every poll shows Americans demanding an end ot illegal immigration, securing the borders and upholding the rule of law. By strong majorities of two to one, Americans want illegals prosecuted, deported or at least not given amnesty. The public’s sense of fair play and respect for the rule of law trumps any sympathy that may be held by some for those who break the law for self-serving goals. Characterizing illegal immigration as some noble goal is not proving to be a reasonable argument. In this day of terrorism and risks to national security, the tendency to assume strangers good intentions is disappearing.
NY Times/CBS Poll Finds that 69% Believe Illegal Immigrants Should Be Prosecuted
Friday, May 25, 2007
A New York Times/CBS News poll released yesterday found that 69% of American adults believe illegal immigrants should “be prosecuted and deported for being in the U.S. illegally.” Just 24% disagree and say they should not. The survey of 1,125 adults was conducted May 18-23, 2007.
But the bottom line on illegal immigration may best be explained by a recent poll expressing the public’s expectations to break the amnesty plan held by President Bush, Senators John McCain and Ted Kennedy as well as Senator Kyl and others. Senators like Jeff Sessions seem to be the only ones that understand what Americans expect and want on illegal immigration.
Poll: Voters Want Smaller Steps to Immigration Reform With Focus on Enforcement
Wednesday, June 13, 2007
Just 20% of American voters want Congress to try and pass the immigration reform bill that failed in the Senate last week. A Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey found that 51% would like their legislators to “take smaller steps towards reform” while 16% believe they should wait until next year. The survey was conducted on Monday and Tuesday night as the President was publicly attempting to rally support for the legislation.
For those in Congerss who claim they don’t respond to polling data, the additional deluge of communications from the public over this issue should have been enough for them to understand S. 1348 aka, the Amnesty Bill of 2007, should be abandoned. At the risk of being redundant, enforce the laws we have and/or offer legislation that will facilitate border security and immigration control to end illegal immigration and abuse of legal entry methods, period!!
Stanford Matthews
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