Hat tip to Don Surber for this information from the Rasmussen poll, which shows that the number of people who lay claim to being Republicans is up, and the number claiming to be Democrats is on the decline.
Following Immigration Debate, Number of Republicans in USA Increases
Sunday, July 01, 2007
During the month of June, the number of people identifying themselves as Republicans increased and the number of Democrats was little changed. That’s the first time in 2007 that the number of Republicans has increased. The gap between the parties the smallest it has been since last July.
It’s interesting to note that the number of Republicans increased during the same month that the President’s Job Approval fell to another all-time low.
A Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey of 15,000 adults in June found that just 32.0% now say they’re Republicans. That’s up more than a full percentage point from a month ago and is within a tenth-of-a-point of the GOP’s best showing in ten months.
The survey also found that the number of people identifying themselves as Democrats fell two-tenths of a point to 36.1% in June. Only once since January 2004 has the number of Democrats in the country been lower (35.9% in December 2005). Democrats gained about two percentage points of support during 2006 and peaked at 38.0% in December of last year. Since actually taking control of Congress, Democrats have given back all of those gains.
The number not affiliated with either major party fell a point to 31.9%. That’s up nearly eight percentage points since Election 2004.
(...)
The immigration debate appears to have helped the Republican Party while hurting the President and other supporters of the “comprehensive” reform legislation. Prior to the debate, 47% of voters trusted Democrats more on the immigration issue. Following the failure of the Senate bill, just 39% trust the Democrats more on the issue. In fact, among unaffiliated voters, Republicans are now trusted more than the Democrats on immigration. The only other issue where the GOP can make that claim is national security.
Immigration and national security. Two key elements, hand in hand, that the polled members agree that they trust more to the Republicans than the Democrats. More people are lining up behind the Republican party than the Democratic party.
Folks, in my mind, this speaks volumes. When listening to the Democrats with their hand-ringing blurbs about how we should be accepting and forgiving of those coming into our country illegally, is it any wonder that the Republicans, many of whom have taken a stand AGAINST the President on the issue of illegal immigration and amnesty, are gaining grounds as we approach next year's elections?
Mr. President, you should be paying CLOSE attention to this. The American people have spoken and are speaking still.
Secure our borders, Mr. President.
Now.
And stop trying to make us one with Mexico, we've already had that war, as well as a Civil War, we don't want to revisit those days...
Once and Always, an American Fighting Man
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