Poll: Number of Democrats in US falls to a 4-year low

[웃 910]

Partisan Trends Number of Democrats Falls to Four-Year Low

The number of Americans identifying themselves as Democrats fell by nearly two percentage points in November. Added to declines earlier in the year, the number of Democrats in the nation has fallen by five percentage points during 2009.

In November, 36.0% of American adults said they were Democrats. That’s down from 37.8% a month ago and the lowest number of Democrats since December 2005. See the History of Party Trends from January 2004 to the present.

The number of Republicans inched up by just over a point in November to 33.1%. That’s within the narrow range that Republicans have experienced throughout 2009 - from a low of 31.9% to a high of 33.6%.

The number of adults not affiliated with either party grew half a point last month to 30.8%.

Despite the changes, there are still more Democrats than Republicans in the nation. But the gap is down to 2.9 percentage points, the smallest since December 2007.

Rasmussen Reports tracks this information based on telephone interviews with approximately 15,000 adults per month and has been doing so since November 2002. The margin of error for the full sample is less than one percentage point, with a 95% level of confidence.

(Want a free daily e-mail update? If it's in the news, it's in our polls). Rasmussen Reports updates are also available on Twitter or Facebook.

Between November 2004 and 2006, the Democratic advantage in partisan identification grew by 4.5 percentage points. That foreshadowed the Democrats' big gains in the midterm elections. The gap grew by another 1.5 percentage points between November 2006 and 2008 heading into the election of President Obama. However, the gap is currently 4.7 percentage points smaller than it was in November 2008. It remains to be seen where the trend will head in 2010.

Keep in mind that figures reported in this article are for all adults, not likely voters. Republicans are a bit more likely to participate in elections than Democrats.

Obama's overall approval rating in the Rasmussen Reports daily Presidential Approval Index fell below 50% for the first time in July. A month-by-month review of the president’s ratings shows that they held steady in August and September before declining over the past couple of months.

Data from our monthly partisan identification survey is used to set weighting targets for other Rasmussen Reports surveys. The targets are based on results from the previous three months.

In recent months, Republicans have gained ground on 10 key issues tracked by Rasmussen Reports and on the Generic Congressional Ballot.

Please sign up for the Rasmussen Reports daily e-mail update (it’s free) or follow us on Twitter or Facebook. Let us keep you up to date with the latest public opinion news.

See the History of Party Trends from January 2004 to the present.

http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_con...rty_affiliation

[Sofiyya 1,687]

The libs don't want to touch this thread.

[ready4ONE 5,400]

The libs don't want to touch this thread.

We already saw it on tonight's episode of:

[Sofiyya 1,687]

The libs don't want to touch this thread.

We already saw it on tonight's episode of:

FYI: Cartoons and real life aren't the same thing.

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

The libs don't want to touch this thread.

We already saw it on tonight's episode of:

FYI: Cartoons and real life aren't the same thing.

What?!!!!!! But....... Global Warming...I saw it in a cartoon with AlGore, it isn't real? You mean Roadrunner and Coyote isn't real? Oh, please, don't tell me the roarrunner really can't float in air after the coyote saws off the cliff and the mountain the coyote stand s on falls down. That isn't real?

That's it!!!!!! I am no longer a Democrat! I am now a Libertarian!

[jimnlena 8]

I have never figured out how rest of the world calls them the socialist party and capitalist, and here we call em Democrats and Republicans!! I think I will join libertarian party also!!

[NickD 203]

Would be nice if the number of republicans and democrats would drop to zero per cent, go along with that phrase, not a dimes worth of difference. Did see another poll someplace where the number of none-partisan people is in the order of 54%, or independents if you want to call them that. Seems like this is the majority, but only either republicans or democrats to vote for.

And don't tell me that the heads of these parties determines who will run, and how they will vote in key issues that affect our lives. If they don't obey, won't be around for the next election.

Stupid to be for either party when neither is actually representing us. This doesn't mean to imply I am saying you are stupid for bringing up with worthless very old subject where there really isn't any difference between the two. But could just be implying, it's stupid.

Edited December 3, 2009 by NickD

[웃 910]

Would be nice if the number of republicans and democrats would drop to zero per cent, go along with that phrase, not a dimes worth of difference. Did see another poll someplace where the number of none-partisan people is in the order of 54%, or independents if you want to call them that. Seems like this is the majority, but only either republicans or democrats to vote for.

And don't tell me that the heads of these parties determines who will run, and how they will vote in key issues that affect our lives. If they don't obey, won't be around for the next election.

Stupid to be for either party when neither is actually representing us. This doesn't mean to imply I am saying you are stupid for bringing up with worthless very old subject where there really isn't any difference between the two. But could just be implying, it's stupid.

There was a caller on Hannity (radio) yesterday who described the Democrats as "Extreme Socialists" and the Republicans as "Moderate Socialists".

[peejay 327]

I have never figured out how rest of the world calls them the socialist party and capitalist, and here we call em Democrats and Republicans!! I think I will join libertarian party also!!

Better yet...don't join any political party at all. Why buy into anyone's bullshit beforehand or be a loyal sheep? If you look at the statistics...it is the unaffiliated independent voter that decides who wins elections. And if it doesn't work out or they lie...throw the rotten bastards under the bus and move on.

Edited December 3, 2009 by peejay

[nowhereman 1]

If the Republicans are celebrating over this they are deluding themselves. The real story here is that more Americans are getting fed up with BOTH parties; over 30% of Americans don't identify themselves with either party & that is a significant number. Personally I would love to see a strong third party form that consists of independents & moderates fed up with their respective party. I realize this is unlikely, but one can dream.

[SMR 368]

Would be nice if the number of republicans and democrats would drop to zero per cent, go along with that phrase, not a dimes worth of difference. Did see another poll someplace where the number of none-partisan people is in the order of 54%, or independents if you want to call them that. Seems like this is the majority, but only either republicans or democrats to vote for.

I would say that poll seems suspect. Rasmussen is a well credited scientific poll and it shows nearly 70% of Americans identify with one of the two major parties. That doesn't add up if 54% don't.

I'm not saying I agree with either political party all the time and I don't think most Americans do either. But the parties are what they are in order to build coalitions that can garner large portions of the vote.

[Joseph & Ana 0]

If the Republicans are celebrating over this they are deluding themselves. The real story here is that more Americans are getting fed up with BOTH parties; over 30% of Americans don't identify themselves with either party & that is a significant number. Personally I would love to see a strong third party form that consists of independents & moderates fed up with their respective party. I realize this is unlikely, but one can dream.

Why would you ever vote against Obama?

[SMR 368]

If the Republicans are celebrating over this they are deluding themselves. The real story here is that more Americans are getting fed up with BOTH parties; over 30% of Americans don't identify themselves with either party & that is a significant number. Personally I would love to see a strong third party form that consists of independents & moderates fed up with their respective party. I realize this is unlikely, but one can dream.

Independents have traditionally made up around a third of the electorate, so this isn't new. The reason you don't see a third party forming is that these independents have less in common than the major parties. Some of them are ultra-right, some are ultra-left. Some are fiscal conservatives with liberal social policies, and vice-versa. Some are isolationists while others are hawks. Try building a coalition out of that.

[The_Dude 1,142]

If the Republicans are celebrating over this they are deluding themselves. The real story here is that more Americans are getting fed up with BOTH parties; over 30% of Americans don't identify themselves with either party & that is a significant number. Personally I would love to see a strong third party form that consists of independents & moderates fed up with their respective party. I realize this is unlikely, but one can dream.

Why would you ever vote against Obama?

Not even going to pretend to add anything to the discussion joe?

I think that the title is a bit misleading of this thread. What the poll shows is not a strengthening republican party, but a larger disillusion with both parties and the rise of a potential 3rd party. I don't see the Libertarian party as that party because they encompass far too many ideals. There is no definitive Libertarian platform.

[nowhereman 1]

If the Republicans are celebrating over this they are deluding themselves. The real story here is that more Americans are getting fed up with BOTH parties; over 30% of Americans don't identify themselves with either party & that is a significant number. Personally I would love to see a strong third party form that consists of independents & moderates fed up with their respective party. I realize this is unlikely, but one can dream.

Independents have traditionally made up around a third of the electorate, so this isn't new. The reason you don't see a third party forming is that these independents have less in common than the major parties. Some of them are ultra-right, some are ultra-left. Some are fiscal conservatives with liberal social policies, and vice-versa. Some are isolationists while others are hawks. Try building a coalition out of that.

I tend to disagree. If you look at the voting trends (and opinions) of Independent voters they very often split the difference between the Republicans & Democrats. For example over 90% of Democrats approve of President Obama & less than 10% of Republicans do, while the Independent approval rating is near the 50% mark. Sure you have the outliers mixed in with the Independents but for the most part they tend to be the most objective & non-partisan group IMO.