1st Time Republican Voter McCain/Palin '08

Could the GOP retake the House?Send to a Friend | printer-friendly Talk about coattails! Gallup's latest polling now shows Republicans within the margin of error on the generic Congressional ballot nationwide, up from a double-digit deficit just two weeks ago. The selection of Sarah Palin has energized the Republican base, motivating them to vote even more than Democrats:
A potential shift in fortunes for the Republicans in Congress is seen in the latest USA Today/Gallup survey, with the Democrats now leading the Republicans by just 3 percentage points, 48% to 45%, in voters' "generic ballot" preferences for Congress. This is down from consistent double-digit Democratic leads seen on this measure over the past year. %u2026
The positive impact of the GOP convention on polling indicators of Republican strength is further seen in the operation of Gallup's "likely voter" model in this survey. Republicans, who are now much more enthused about the 2008 election than they were prior to the convention, show heightened interest in voting, and thus outscore Democrats in apparent likelihood to vote in November. As a result, Republican candidates now lead Democratic candidates among likely voters by 5 percentage points, 50% to 45%.
If these numbers are sustained through Election Day - a big if - Republicans could be expected to regain control of the U.S. House of Representatives.
The erosion began last month, and may result from a double whammy of sorts. The Palin effect may have... (continue here)
posted at 2:20 pm on September 12, 2008 by Ed Morrissey