(Trends Wide) — The vast majority of Americans now view the Republican Party as better than the Democratic Party at protecting the country from international threats and ensuring the nation continues to be prosperous, according to a new Gallup poll. These are also the GOP’s widest margins ahead of Democrats in any of the issue areas in at least six years.
- On safety matter: the 54% prefers to Republican Party and the 39% al Democratic Party
The GOP’s biggest advantage since 2015 - Regarding prosperity: the 50% prefers to Republican Party and the 41% al Democratic Party
The GOP’s biggest advantage since 2014
While the Republican Party has historically been seen as best placed to manage security and economic affairs, Gallup adds some context to this latest rally: “This shift is more dependent on the decline in Americans who perceive the Democratic Party as best at these issues that of growth for the Republican Party. “
Gallup also notes that independents have something to do with this number:
“Since last year, there have been double-digit declines in the percentages of independents who say the Democratic Party is better at handling the most important issue (from 42% to 31%), at maintaining the security of the nation (from 43% to 31%) and in maintaining the prosperity of the nation (from 47% to 35%) “.
There is also an important clarification about the timing of the survey. Gallup conducted this governance poll from September 1-17. During that time, we had the aftermath of America’s chaotic pullout from Afghanistan, rising covid-19 infections, and a weaker-than-expected U.S. employment report – a series of especially tough news cycles for President Joe Biden and his party.
Of course, this is just a poll showing a snapshot of a pretty bad couple of weeks for Democrats. It is not necessarily a predictor of what is to come.
A real predictor, historically speaking, has been the popularity of the president. If a president’s approval is falling in a midterm election year, that generally spells disaster for his party’s representation in Congress.
The 2022 midterm elections are roughly 13 months away, and Democrats are already concerned about Biden’s declining popularity since he took office.
Point: This is another figure that could be good news for the Republican Party before next year’s midterm elections.
