While we've all got plenty to be put out about right now, (from mega-bailoust, porkulus bills, government takeovers in the private sector, etc.), there are some reasons to begin to feel a little better about how things might look politically for Republicans.
First, the most recent Rasmussen "generic ballot" survey [3] of which party Americans say they would support if congressional races where held today puts both parties dead even at 38%. Meaning the effect of O's honeymoon isn't translating as well to congressional Democrats.
Second, the Republican candidate for Governor in recently "blue" Virginia has pulled ahead of all potential Democrat challengers [4]. (Virginia holds its state elections this fall)
The latest Rasmussen Reports telephone [5] survey in the state finds the closest race is between McDonnell, the former attorney general and lone GOP candidate, and Brian J. Moran, a former state delegate from Alexandria. McDonnell now leads Moran by 10 points, 44% to 34%.
The highest profile Democrat in the race is next. Terry McAuliffe, a longtime Clinton confidant and former national party chairman, trails McDonnell by 12 points, 45% to 33%.
State Delegate R. Creigh Deeds of Bath County continues to fare the worst against his Republican opponent. McDonnell leads Deeds by 15 points, 45% to 30%.
And then there's the possibility of picking off the Illinois Senate seat, seeing that now over 60% of people in that state think Roland Burris should resign [6]. And that's right now...before we even get into the thick of Blago's pending trial for public corruption.
Sixty-two percent (62%) of Illinois voters say Roland Burris, the man the disgraced governor named to Barack Obama's Senate seat, should resign. Just 24% believe Burris should remain in the Senate, according to a new Rasmussen Reports survey of voters in the state.
Fifty-four percent (54%) say they will definitely vote against Burris if he chooses to run for a full six-year term in the Senate in 2010. Only four percent (4%) say they will definitely vote for him. Thirty-nine percent (39%) say it depends upon who he is running against.
Of course it's a long, long time until Election Day, (in Virginia, to say nothing of 2010), but right now we'll take our rays of sunshine where we can get them.
Call me crazy, but I think the "middle" of the country is going through a bit of a realization of just what type of people came to power last November...and what's on their agenda.
Time will tell.
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