Glee For The Democrats In Congress

For a while, the political world made gravy over the low congressional approving ratings. Republicans have argued that the Democrats controlling Congress will pay a price for the relative inability of the New Direction congress to pass legislation (which, of course, the Democrats chalk up to Republican obstructionism.)

A sheaf of polls suggest* that the low approval ratings are not hurting Democratic congressional candidates. The generic ballot averages 15 points, precisely where it was in October of 2006. In some of the special elections for House seats, Democratic turnout is way up and Republican turnout is way down. The stability of the 15 point margin is also significant. The Republicans had a massive election win in 1994. Two years later that intensity had largely dissipated, and Clinton was re-elected and the change in Congressional seats was relatively minor. All the indicators so far (and again, it’s early) suggest that 2006 was not 1994, and Democrats in a position to hold their own and gain seats. Which means, of course, that the next president, Democrat or Republican, had better prepare for at least two years of a Democratic congress.