"The poll finds that by a margin of 42 percent to 34 percent Americans think it would be better if Democrats gain control of Congress this year. Today’s 8-percentage point edge is down from an 11-point edge last month (10-11 Jan 2006).
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The new poll finds that Democrats have increased their support on several issues, though only claiming the backing of a majority on the single issue of health care. Voters favor Democrats by 23 points as the party that would do a better job on health care, by 20 points on Social Security and 17 points on education — results that may not be all that surprising as these are typically considered “Democrat” issues.
However, Democrats are now seen as the party that would do a better job on taxes (+ 5 points), and voters are about equally likely to pick Democrats on handling Iraq — issues that are traditionally thought of as being in the Republican column. Today, Republicans hold a 2-percentage point advantage on Iraq, down from a 14-point advantage two years ago and 32 points in 2003."
more:
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,184362,00.htmland still more good news on polls from CQ.com:
"Political Clippings
CQPolitics.com reports that surveys released yesterday by the Pew Research Center for People and the Press and Fox News/Opinion Dynamics gave Democrats the edge on a generic congressional ballot test. The Pew poll found that registered voters, by 50 percent to 41 percent, said they would prefer an unspecified Democratic congressional candidate over an unspecified Republican candidate. The second poll found that when asked if it would be better for the nation if Democrats or Republicans controlled Congress after the elections, respondents chose Democrats, 42 percent to 34 percent, with 18 percent saying they didn't know or it wouldn't matter. However, the Pew survey found 59 percent of respondents would like to see their own member of Congress re-elected, compared to 28 percent who would not.
The Denver Post reports that according to its latest poll, "Democratic gubernatorial candidate Bill Ritter likely would defeat Republican opponent Bob Beauprez if the election were held today." The poll shows Ritter with 43 percent to 37 percent for Rep. Beauprez, with 20 percent of the 625 respondent undecided. "Ritter also leads Republican Marc Holtzman, former president of the University of Denver, in a head-to-head matchup by 20 percentage points," the Post reported.
The Harrisburg Patriot-News reports that its latest Keystone Poll with WGAL-TV shows "a tightening in the U.S. Senate contest, where state Treasurer Robert P. Casey Jr. continues to enjoy a double-digit lead over U.S. Sen. Rick Santorum, who owes his better showing to President Bush's improved public approval standing. 'There's a correlation between President Bush's approval rating and Santorum's horse race against Casey,' said Madonna, of Franklin & Marshall College's Center for Public Opinion Research. 'The higher Bush's disapproval rating, the worse Santorum does,' he said." Casey led Santorum 50 percent to 39 percent, "an 11-point deficit compared with November's Keystone Poll that showed him 16 points behind."
http://www.cq.com/corp/midday.do