GALLUPING GHOSTS:

POLL ANALYSES: Democratic Party Image Takes a Post-Election Hit: Most Democrats want party to strike "moderate" rather than "liberal" tone (Lydia Saad, November 14, 2002, GALLUP NEWS SERVICE)

As Democratic congressional members assemble today to choose their party's leaders for the U.S. House and Senate, a Gallup Poll highlights the challenge those leaders face in restoring public support for the Democratic Party. The Democratic Party's image is far from terrible, but, after an election in which the Republicans captured full control of Congress, the Democrats' standing with the public falls short of the Republicans' in many areas.

According to Gallup's first post-election poll, conducted Nov. 8-10, less than half of Americans view Democrats favorably or believe that the Democratic leaders in the U.S. House and Senate would move the country in the right direction. More Americans are now dissatisfied with the Democrats' political ideology than agree with it, and less than one-third say the party has a clear plan for solving the country's problems. On the important issue of terrorism, a majority of Americans believe the Democrats are not tough enough.

It is said that everybody loves a winner, and, indeed, in contrast with the Democrats, the triumphant Republican Party appears to be in an enviable position with the public at this point. A solid majority of Americans express confidence in President Bush and the Republicans to lead the country in the right direction. A majority of Americans say they have a positive impression of the Republican Party and agree with its general political ideology. More Americans than not believe the Republicans have a clear plan for solving the country's problems. And a solid majority believes the Republicans are sufficiently tough in dealing with the threat of terrorism.

Remember how Dorothy fell asleep in a flat, boring, black-and-white world and woke up in a magic land of brilliant colors, where a yellow brick road led to an Emerald City? Yeah, well, at the end of the story she woke up back in Kansas. If we're dreaming, please don't wake us. Posted by Orrin Judd at November 14, 2002 9:16 AM