Voters now trust Republicans more than Democrats on 10 out of the 15 of the top issues regularly tracked by Rasmussen Reports.
On the most important issue on voters’ minds, the economy, the GOP leads by a handsome 44% to 37% margin. Democrats held an advantage on this issue in surveys from November 2006 until early 2009. Since June 2009, the GOP has led in all but one survey.
But that didn’t translate into an Election Day victory in 2012, and the Democrats have an average lead of 2% in the Generic Congressional Ballot. This is easily explained by the disparity in the nationwide survey and individual congressional districts. Even though Democrats enjoy nationwide advantages, because of the urban population centers, the GOP dominates the congressional districts.
This also explains why the GOP House is solid, while the Senate – which is a statewide vote – is a heavier lift for Republicans. Nevertheless, on Election Day 2012, the GOP did not enjoy such an advantage with the trust on issues surveys. Only on Social Security, the environment, and education do the Democrats still have an advantage. Other issues that are statistically close are energy – R+3 – and healthcare – R+1. Democrats once enjoyed a double-digit lead on healthcare.
Note that Government Ethics and Corruption is the only category where the two parties are tied, with no particular party being seen as honest by a majority of Americans, or even close at 37%
National Surveys of 1,000 Likely Voters
September 8-9, 12-13 & 18-19, 2013
| ISSUE | DEMOCRATS | REPUBLICANS |
|---|---|---|
| Economy | 37% | 44% |
| Nat’l Security & War on Terror | 32% | 47% |
| Job Creation | 40% | 44% |
| Energy Policy | 39% | 42% |
| Afghanistan | 34% | 38% |
| Immigration | 35% | 42% |
| Gov’t Ethics & Corruption | 37% | 37% |
| Taxes | 37% | 44% |
| Health Care | 42% | 43% |
| Social Security | 43% | 37% |
| Education | 40% | 34% |
| Environment | 50% | 33% |
| Gov’t Spending | 30% | 51% |
| Issues Affecting Small Business | 33% | 48% |
| Gun Control | 39% | 46% |
