The chart above is from a Gallup Poll done between September 25th and 30th of a random national sample of 1,252 adults (with a margin of error of 4 points). It purports to show how important both Democratic and Republican voters think those issues are -- and I have no doubt they are probably right in the percentages they came up with. After all, it is no surprise that more Democrats think global climate change is important than Republicans, and that more Republicans think the budget deficit is important than Democrats.
I just have one question -- do these issues really matter in this election? Are most voters, especially the Independents who will decide the winners in many competitive districts, going to vote for a candidate because of their stand on one or more of the issues above? I don't think so. And I think the chart at the bottom of this post is far more relevant than the one at the top.
That chart was made from a Rasmussen Poll taken on October 7th and 8th of a random national sample of 1,000 likely voters, with a 3 point margin of errors. This survey asked what I think is a far more relevant question this year -- does either major party (Republicans or Democrats) have a plan for the future? Only 28% answered in the affirmative, while a clear majority of 53% said no -- and about 1 out of 5 voters doesn't have a clue (since the parties have done little in the last few years but play ideological games.
There is only one issue that really matters in next month's election -- voter anger at Congress ( with congressional approval ranging between 6% and 14% depending on the poll). This anti-incumbent anger won't show up in every congressional district. Republicans will win their safe districts, and Democrats will win their safe districts. But a lot of representatives in competitive districts may find themselves out of a job come January -- and it won't be because of any issue. It will be because of the general voter anger over the failure of Congress to compromise and get this country back on track, fixing the economy and creating jobs.
