Fox News Poll: Americans Increasingly Prefer Democrats

[Rose Siding]

NEW YORK — The most recent FOX News poll shows that voters see Democrats as better at handling an array of key issues and gaining public trust on some areas traditionally considered Republican strengths. In addition, more voters think it would be better for the country if Democrats win control of Congress in this year’s election.

The poll finds that by a margin of 42 percent to 34 percent Americans think it would be better if Democrats gain control of Congress this year. Today’s 8-percentage point edge is down from an 11-point edge last month (10-11 Jan 2006).
....
The new poll finds that Democrats have increased their support on several issues, though only claiming the backing of a majority on the single issue of health care. Voters favor Democrats by 23 points as the party that would do a better job on health care, by 20 points on Social Security and 17 points on education — results that may not be all that surprising as these are typically considered “Democrat” issues.

However, Democrats are now seen as the party that would do a better job on taxes (+ 5 points), and voters are about equally likely to pick Democrats on handling Iraq — issues that are traditionally thought of as being in the Republican column. Today, Republicans hold a 2-percentage point advantage on Iraq, down from a 14-point advantage two years ago and 32 points in 2003.

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,184362,00.html

[Dogmudgeon]

1. Wait! Is that a PIG FLYING?

Naah. Must be lint.

--p!

[AnnInLa]

14. Yep, Porkchops are in the Treetops!......More:

’Checks and balances’ has been a catch phrase in the news in recent weeks and, consciously or unconsciously, the public seems to be leaning toward a Democratic congress to put the breaks on some of the Bush administration policies. If Democrats can nationalize this theme, they have excellent chances in 2006.”

The new poll finds that Democrats have increased their support on several issues, though only claiming the backing of a majority on the single issue of health care. Voters favor Democrats by 23 points as the party that would do a better job on health care, by 20 points on Social Security and 17 points on education — results that may not be all that surprising as these are typically considered “Democrat” issues.

However, Democrats are now seen as the party that would do a better job on taxes (+ 5 points), and voters are about equally likely to pick Democrats on handling Iraq — issues that are traditionally thought of as being in the Republican column. Today, Republicans hold a 2-percentage point advantage on Iraq, down from a 14-point advantage two years ago and 32 points in 2003.

Republicans are still favored on family values (+10 percentage points), and handling terrorism (+14 points) — though here again Democrats have narrowed the gap. Two years ago Republicans held a 23-point edge on terrorism, and in 2003 a 34-point edge.

((gotta love those Checks and Balances talking points))

[FormerRepublican]

2. And it's a FAUX poll!!

:rofl:

[Skittles]

3. look at the price that has been paid for too many people to figure it out

I am disgusted

[Vincardog]

4. ANd this poll was by FAX viewers. Think what the real numbers are

[LisaL]

5. Too bad Diebold doesn't care.

I really don't want to get my hopes up.
:shrug:

[Atman]

6. I'm with you...but you'd better but your flame-proof suit on!

I already here the nattering naybobs of "no fraud" lining up and sparking up the torches...

[Rose Siding]

9. Not from me, but there's nothing wrong with acknowledging achievement

All day we hear 'why don't the dems have a plan' or 'what do they stand for'

The public seems to know, and they seem to like it.

A groundswell might overcome the fraud, but beating down Democrats even when they do well will stamp that possibility right out.

[fujiyama]

13. Doesn't get my hopes up either

Not only is there Diebold, but I think the culture of fear and paranoia intilled in many (of gays, of terraists), and the RW puppet media constantly parroting RW alking points, will not lead Dems to any significant victory. In fact, I wouldn't be all that shocked if Dems lost more seats...leading closer and closer to a complete one party federal state (dems may win in local elections but DC will be firmly in repuke hands).

[TInCanCommunications]

17. Diebold won't even matter

State legislatures have cut up these ridings so well that 80 percent of them are slam dunks.
So, if 60 percent of people want Dems elected, it's really only 60 percent of those 20 percent of the districts.

[arcane1]

7. oh dear gods, here comes LIHOP the sequel

once they lose FOX viewers, they're fucking LOST!!!


to be honest, I'm amazed that anyone could watch that channel regularly and not become a brain-dead Bush zombie. This is really, surprisingly, good news :D

[never_get_over_it]

My brother and brother in law

watch that shit when they visit and I have tried desparately to figure out how to block it so they can't even find it....but they don't visit that often so its not a big deal - I just say you can't watch that shit in MY house....I'm such a gracious hostess - lol

[arcane1]

10. my parents, last time I checked (2004) were avid Fox fans

and my military dad used to send me bullshit links all the time, which I debunked easily.

it's been a LONG time since I've heard anything political from them :)

[FreedomAngel82]

21. Interesting

I wonder why not. Either they know it's hopeless with you or have changed their minds. :shrug:

[Rose Siding]

12. Even wingnuts have criticized Fox bias

Just today, from TPM-

Jonah Goldberg detects conservative bias at Fox News:

While I think Reliable Sources is generally an honest broker and books many of its panels based on the merits of the conversation it will generate (hardly sacrilege in TV journalism) as a general rule I think it's fair to complain about the way ideological balance is set up on television shows. The best examples, I think, are the panels on Fox News Sunday and Special Report. I am a huge fan of both shows and watch them regularly. But I do think it is unfair that Mara Liason is regularly paired with Charles Krauthammer and Fred Barnes. Liason is a professional reporter, Barnes and Krauthammer are pundits. They're both honorable and honest men, but their job is to mix their ideological perspective with their analysis. Liason's not supposed to do that. And, I think she actually does an outstanding job managing that straddle.

http://www.tpmcafe.com/node/26446

[Merlot]

8. That's not news...Americans preferred both Gore and Kerry...

it was the machines that didn't like them...

[AndyTiedye]

16. Diebold Rebublican Electing Machinez EAT Democratic Votes

[stop the bleeding]

11. pinching myself to see if I am - "ouch" no I am not dreaming

[mim]

15. Amazing!

When Fox says it, you'd better believe it!

I don't know who'll be rigging voting machines after Diebold, but I suppose they'll have to program the machines to turn EVERY OTHER Dem vote into a Repub vote! That's the only way they'll be sure of winning.

[FreedomAngel82]

18. A FOX POLL?!

And they released this?! :tinfoilhat: :yoiks: :wow:

[FreedomAngel82]

19. Send this thread to Dean

I hope he knows about this.

[lpbk2713]

20. Incredible

[Poiuyt]

22. Folks - That doesn't mean they will vote their Republican out of office

People tend to think that their senator or representative is OK, it's all the others that are bad. I doubt we'll see many people voting Democratic just to get a Republican out of office.

OTOH, it might mean they'll give a Democrat a second look.