According to the latest NBC WSJ poll, the numbers aren't good for the Republicans in the '06 elections. Even though the WSJ attempted to
inflate Bush's approval rating, the report by NBC News presented a
much more accurate picture. With the November elections just four months away the Republicans are in deep shit.
WASHINGTON - With congressional midterm elections less than four months away, the latest NBC News/Wall Street Journal poll finds that candidates will be facing a public that has grown increasingly pessimistic, as nearly two-thirds don't believe life for their children's generation will be better than it has been for them, and nearly 60 percent are doubtful the Iraq war will come to a successful conclusion.
"This is just a horrendous set of numbers," says Democratic pollster Peter D. Hart, who conducted this survey with Republican Bill McInturff. The mood is "as dank and depressing as I have seen."
According to the poll, 65 percent say they feel less confident that life for their children's generation will be better than it was for them. In December 2001, the last time this question was asked, respondents -- by a 49-42 percent margin -- said they were confident life would be better for their children.
In addition, only 27 percent think the country is headed in the right direction, while 58 percent say they are less confident the Iraq war will come to a successful conclusion.
Republican pollster Bill McInturff didn't offer any more encouraging news for the GOP. He emphasized that
GOP candidates can count on having plenty of money and a proven get-out-the-vote operation. "But they are going to have to run very aggressive campaigns at an individual level to separate themselves from the national environment."
In fact, McInturff says, Republican incumbents who wait until the fall to begin engaging their Democratic opponents will be "rolling the wrong dice." "The national mood is too set and there is not enough time."
According to
CNN's latest poll Bush has a 38% approval rating regarding his handling of the conflict between Hezbollah and Israel. According to Bill Schneider this morning, this is the average among all of the latest polls. Schneider also mentioned that according to most experts, Democrats are almost assured of taking back the House this November and have a good chance of winning back the Senate.