We’re now just a matter of weeks away from the 2018 midterms and the Republican party just got a very positive piece of news. According to a new Gallup poll, the GOP has reached its highest approval rating since 2011.
Jim Norman of Gallup reports:
Republican Party Favorability Highest in Seven YearsForty-five percent of Americans now have a favorable view of the Republican Party, a nine-point gain from last September’s 36%. It is the party’s most positive image since it registered 47% in January 2011, shortly after taking control of the House in the 2010 midterm elections. Forty-four percent give the Democratic Party a favorable rating.The parity in Republicans’ and Democrats’ favorable ratings marks a change from what has generally been the case since Barack Obama’s election as president in November 2008. Republicans have usually been rated less positively than Democrats over this time, with the Republican Party’s favorability rating for the last decade averaging 39%, compared with the Democratic Party’s 44%.Only one other time in the last decade has the Republican Party had a significantly higher score than the Democratic Party. That one exception came in November 2014, immediately after elections that saw Republicans capture control of the Senate and expand their majority in the House, when 42% rated the GOP favorably and 36% the Democrats.
This could be a positive indicator for the midterms:
For the Republican Party, less than two months away from an election that could see them lose control of both the House and the Senate, gains in public favorability are a welcome sign. The party has been wallowing in favorable ratings below 40% for most of the last five years after rarely sinking that low in the previous two decades.No matter how much or how little party favorability affects elections, the fact that Republicans are more likely to view their party favorably than a year ago can be considered a positive indicator for the party, particularly if a more positive image boosts Republican turnout.
Neil Cavuto of the FOX Business Network recently discussed Gallup’s findings with two guests:
The worst thing Republicans could do is take this poll for granted. The same turnout level as the midterms of 2010 and 2014 or more will be needed to retain control of the House and Senate.
Confirming Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court would also help tremendously. Failing to do so will be devastating.
Featured image via YouTube.
CLICK HERE FOR FULL VERSION OF THIS STORY