Independents Continue Shift to GOP
President Barack Obama’s low job approval among Independents has weakened the Democratic Party’s appeal to these critical swing voters. In a new CBS/Times survey, Independents are split on his job performance, 44 to 44 percent, but overwhelmingly disapprove of his handling on the economy, 56 to 37 percent, on health care, 60 to 31 percent, and the federal budget deficit, 58 to 27 percent.
As a result, Independents continue to further shift toward Republicans on key national priorities, according to a recent Pew survey. On the economy, Republicans turned an 11 point deficit in August into a 3 point lead today, 37 to 34 percent. Record federal deficits have caused more Independents to align with the Republican Party, 42 to 28 percent, a net 11 point positive swing toward Republicans.
While a majority of Independents approve of President Obama's handling of the threat of terrorism, they do not give the same approval to the political party he heads. Today 48 percent of Independents favor Republicans on this issue, up 15 points since August, while Democrats’ support dropped from 27 to 19 percent. The intensifying debate over how terrorists should be handled and brought to justice has caused more Independents to side with Republicans.
On issues that Independents still favor Democrats, Republicans increased their overall support, up 4 points on health care, 7 points on energy and 15 points on education.
Republican gains among Independents are in part linked to the conservative positions these voters hold on the proper role of government. In the same CBS/Times survey, 57 percent prefer a smaller government with fewer resources, and 63 percent believe the government is doing too many things better left to the private sector (very similar to Resurgent Republic polling).
This will no doubt complicate how Democrat leaders seek to calm the rebellion of the center.
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