American research company,
Gallup, is sometimes known for its hokey pokey swing-to-the-right poll dancing. (We thought it - but
Kos said it.) And it's hard to forget Gallup's final election survey in 2012, showing
Romney 49% over Obama at 48% (compared to the final election results showing Obama with 51.1% to Romney's 47.2%). All that said, history shows Gallup getting right (and sometimes correct).
The graph below shows John Boehner's unpopularity has risen quite a bit in the 'unfavorable' category.
Gallup.com
It should be mentioned that Harry Reid has dropped a bit in popularity, as well. I suppose in order to whack Boehner, they had to slap Reid. But as much as Gallup tries to play up Reid's failings, it's Boehner who is clearly the biggest loser.
Another bit of good news comes from Gallup's very own, Editor in Chief, Frank Newport. He reports, on YouTube, that the Tea Party has become somewhat more unfavorable among Americans in general, but it maintains favor with older males. (I'm not sure, but I think he means older white males.) Here are some excerpts from Newport's video:
"Now that the election is just about a month away, it's a good time to check on America's views on the Tea Party. Four years ago, Midterm Elections, 2010, the Tea Party was a major factor in those elections. We don't hear as much about the Tea Party now. Has it faded in terms of American support for it? Well, that's actually not the case."
Well, yes. It kind of is, because he then goes on to say:
Twenty-four percent of Americans, in our September update, say they are supporters of the Tea Party. And that's actually where it's been for the last several years. (wait for it…) Now to be sure, if we go back to 2010 and 2011, support level was a little higher up in that 30% range…"
On the other hand, Newport reports:
"…The percentage of Americans who are opponents of the Tea Party, [is up] at 31%, so that's actually risen some. In fact, that 31% is as high as we've seen it."
And he adds (for fun):
"…the average Tea Party supporter in this country, who's a Republican, tends to be more male than average, and also tends to be older than average, generally speaking."
Well, we knew that, but
Frank said it. Except he left out the white part. Frank, you forgot the older
white male part, again.
Frank Newport, Editor In Chief of Gallup:
Either way, it was nice galloping through the site this time. A word of caution: Hanging out amongst the Gallup polls for too long can cause a spike in the blood pressure. (I have to set a timer.) Still, finding some tidbits like this makes it
mostly worthwhile. And of course, it must all be taken with a grain of salt, or perhaps, a flake of tea.
On the lighter side, is it me - or could Frank Newport be Fraisiers's other brother? You thought it, but I said it.
On the very serious side, we have some extremely close races that will determine whether we can move forward as a country, or whether the Tea Party will be able to twist the knife they stuck in our backs. To help, visit this Act Blue site.