The more polls that are published about Congress, the worse things look for the GOP.
Americans are paying close attention to the lobbying scandal in the Capitol and say corruption in government will play a big role in their vote for Congress in November — more important than Social Security, taxes, abortion or immigration.
A USA TODAY/CNN/Gallup Poll taken Friday through Sunday signals a perilous year for incumbents. Views of whether most members of Congress and the respondents’ own representatives deserve re-election have sunk to levels not seen since 1994, when Democrats lost control of both houses.
If there’s good news for Republicans, it’s hiding well.
* Dems over GOP — Asked which party they’d prefer for Congress, Dems lead, 49% to 43%.
* Their personal representative — 60% said the lawmaker for their district deserves another term, but that’s the lowest the number’s been since 1994 (when Congress changed hands).
* Voting enthusiasm — 45% of respondents said they’re enthusiastic about voting this year, which is the highest in more than 16 years. People want a change and their anxious to cast their vote for one.
* Parties’ vision — A majority believes congressional Republicans have an agenda that would take the country in the wrong direction; while a plurality believe congressional Dems would take us in the right direction.
* Priorities — 81% said corruption will be extremely or very important in deciding how to vote in November, which is slightly higher than the percentage that said the same about terrorism.
* Abramoff — 53% said the Abramoff controversy is a “major scandal.” A WaPo poll found that 58% believe the Abramoff case is evidence of “widespread corruption in Washington.”
The election is still about 10 months away, but Dems start 2006 right where they want to be.