More Now Disagree with Tea Party – Even in Tea Party Districts

[Weapon X]

Since the 2010 midterm elections, the Tea Party has not only lost support nationwide, but also in the congressional districts represented by members of the House Tea Party Caucus. And this year, the image of the Republican Party has declined even more sharply in these GOP-controlled districts than across the country at large.

In the latest Pew Research Center survey, conducted Nov. 9-14, more Americans say they disagree (27%) than agree (20%) with the Tea Party movement. A year ago, in the wake of the sweeping GOP gains in the midterm elections, the balance of opinion was just the opposite: 27% agreed and 22% disagreed with the Tea Party. At both points, more than half offered no opinion.

Throughout the 2010 election cycle, agreement with the Tea Party far outweighed disagreement in the 60 House districts represented by members of the Congressional Tea Party Caucus. But as is the case nationwide, support has decreased significantly over the past year; now about as many people living in Tea Party districts disagree (23%) as agree (25%) with the Tea Party.

GOP Loses Favorability Advantage in Tea Party Districts

The Republican Party’s image also has declined substantially among people who live in Tea Party districts. Currently, 41% say they have a favorable opinion of the GOP, while 48% say they have an unfavorable view. As recently as March of this year, GOP favorability was 14 points higher (55%) in these districts, with just 39% offering an unfavorable opinion.

http://www.people-press.org/files/2011/11/11-28-11-2.png

Among the public, 36% now say they have a favorable opinion of the Republican Party, down from 42% in March.

By comparison, opinions of the Democratic Party have shifted less – from 50% favorable last summer to 48% in March and 46% in October. The party’s image has remained in negative territory among those living in Tea Party districts throughout this period– currently about four-in-ten (39%) say they have a favorable view of the Democratic Party, while 50% offer an unfavorable view.

But the steep decline in GOP favorability in Tea Party districts means that these constituencies now view the Republican Party about as negatively as the Democratic Party. As recently as March, GOP favorability exceeded Democratic Party favorability by 15 points (55% vs. 40%). Today, both parties receive about the same rating from people in Tea Party districts (41% favorable for the GOP, 39% for the Democratic Party).

http://www.people-press.org/files/2011/11/11-28-11-3.png

About the Analysis

In this analysis, Tea Party districts are those currently held by the 60 Republicans who identify themselves as members of The Tea Party Caucus in the House of Representatives. This includes 17 freshmen Republicans elected in 2010, as well as 43 incumbents reelected in 2010. The data matches respondents to their Congressional district as closely as possible according to their ZIP code; in cases where a ZIP code includes two districts, the respondent is counted in the district that represents the majority of that ZIP code. There is some error in this matching process. In general, roughly 15% of survey respondents live in these 60 districts. Sample sizes in these districts range between 178 and 462 with an average of 287 in each survey (margin of error approximately plus or minus 7.0%)

[truthful1]

The liberal media at work again. i would bet more people side with the tea party than there willing to admit. Who would not be in favor of a balanced budget, limited government, and individual responsibility. i think americans can do more with the money they have, than huge government. a government that wastes about .40 cents of every dollar it gets.

[jgreene]

Tea Partiers are referred to as Obstructionists these days....better an Obstructionist than Socialist I say....

[TexasGranny]

This one I have to comment on. You liberals, lefties, democrats, socialist, marxist, etc. just keep on pushing this

rhetoric. Then when Nov 2012 rolls around you'll all be sitting around with your jaw on the ground wondering what

happened. These phony polls like this will do more damage to the left than to the right. People that are right of center

don't believe any of the junk published due to the extreme bias of the media - treatment of Tea Party Rallies and the

OWS rallies is a prime example. So you just keep on publishing and then the left will be so sure they are winning

that the turn out will be pitiful. From everything I see - there is going to be a record number of voters in 2012 and they

are going to be voting conservative.

[parmenio]

If you believe this nonsense then I have some VERY nice land in the swamps I 'd like to sell you!!!

[mrmcwhipit]

Nobody is believing that.

[tommy17]

If you believe this nonsense then I have some VERY nice land in the swamps I 'd like to sell you!!!

It's amazing how these koolaid drinkers think how everything so much better these last 3 years. ( high unemployment, high gas prices , a failed stimlus, banks going bankrupt, a falling realestate market, and 40% percent of small business closing shop, and 15,000 irs agents hired so they can help you with your taxes because they care ect ect ect) And these liberials want more of it.

[grand pubah]

Once a registered democrat I now would never vote on anything that even smelled like a democrat. Their platform has moved so far to the left and the liberal agenda it is nauseating.

They will take our country down into bankruptcy with uncontrolled spending and fiscal irresponsibility.

I am a capitalist and proud of it. Opportunity knocks for those who are willing to work hard and be better.

Socialism promotes a state dependency and sucks the life and motivation form the individual because it removes the rewards associated with hard work and gives them to lazy freeloaders. Look at my people the American Indian and you can see that clearly.

The occupy wall street message? Take from those who have worked hard for what they got and give it to me so I don't have to work hard.

At least that is the way I see it.

I am a patriot and a proud American.

I am GP

[DinarMillionaire]

PROPAGANDA! The Tea Party is the strongest it's ever been and only going to get stronger. The "shellacking" the left got in 2010 was just a precursor to what is about to happen in 2012. Obama is the worst Presidential disaster this country has ever seen in it's history. The Socialist/Communist are about to get their collective azz kicked in Congress too. No matter what the Communist in the Lame Stream Media try this time. Americans are not asleep anymore.

The end of the Obama error will soon come to an end. Although, not soon enough.

[tommy17]

Once a registered democrat I now would never vote on anything that even smelled like a democrat. Their platform has moved so far to the left and the liberal agenda it is nauseating.

They will take our country down into bankruptcy with uncontrolled spending and fiscal irresponsibility.

I am a capitalist and proud of it. Opportunity knocks for those who are willing to work hard and be better.

Socialism promotes a state dependency and sucks the life and motivation form the individual because it removes the rewards associated with hard work and gives them to lazy freeloaders. Look at my people the American Indian and you can see that clearly.

The occupy wall street message? Take from those who have worked hard for what they got and give it to me so I don't have to work hard.

At least that is the way I see it.

I am a patriot and a proud American.

I am GP

Well said Bro

[Kanga]

If you believe this nonsense then I have some VERY nice land in the swamps I 'd like to sell you!!!

Alrighty then!

Please go back and reread the first post, as I find it extremely believable.

They said that only 15% of the respondents live in the Tea parties district.

I know it is a really long read. They do a great job of telling you the sample the sample size and the makeup of the respondents, if you read all the way to the end!

[kiteman]

Funny thing is, back in August, Gallup Polling produced a similar report.

More Americans consider themselves strong opponents of the Tea Party movement than strong supporters, by 20% to 14%, and the ratio is a similar 22% to 15% among registered voters. When factoring in those who support or oppose the movement but not strongly, the opposing groups are more evenly matched, with 25% of Americans in total classified as Tea Party supporters and 28% as opponents. About 4 in 10 Americans as well as registered voters say they neither support nor oppose the Tea Party.

At 25%, overall support for the Tea Party among U.S. adults is similar to the previous low of 26% found in October 2010. support increased to 32% last November -- immediately after the 2010 midterm elections -- and held at 30% in January and April of this year before dropping to the current new low.

Overall opposition to the Tea Party movement, now 28%, is about average for where it has been since early 2010, while the 42% saying they are neither supporters nor opponents is a new high.

Here's a link!

http://www.gallup.com/poll/148940/tea-party-sparks-antipathy-passion.aspx

So two major polling institutions show the Tea Party enthusiasm waning, but it's all just the liberal media. Even Gallup shows it dropping!