The Parties at Parity

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The Parties at Parity
The Elusive Majority in Presidential Politics
2
The Parties at Parity
The Tie in the House
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Direction of the Country
In general, do you think our country is on the
right track or off on the wrong track?
Do you generally think that things in the country
are headed in the right direction or are they off
on the wrong track?

Penn, Schoen and Berland
4
Direction of the Economy
In general, do you think our economy is on the
right track or off on the wrong track?

Penn, Schoen and Berland Associates
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Most Important Problem
What do you think is the most important problem
facing the country?
CBS/NY Times 1/25
5
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Economy or Terrorism?
What do you think is a bigger problem facing the
nation right now terrorism or the economy?
ABC News/Washington Post 1/28
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Check on Bush
Do you want your representative in Congress to
be someone who will be a check on George W. Bush
or someone who will vote down the line with
George W. Bush?
Swing Voters 59/25 Independents 63/26
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Budget Deficit Politics
Now that we have a budget deficit, do you think
that if Republicans control Congress they could
try to cut Medicare, education and the
environment, or not?
Now that we have a budget deficit, do you think
that if Democrats control Congress they would try
to raise taxes, or not?
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Bush Coattails

• Bush and Congressional GOP Versus Congressional
  Dems

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Clinton/Congressional Dems

• Why Clinton Won Re-Election in 1996 and
  Republicans Held Congress

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Preference for Party Control
Penn Poll
Gallup