GOP Makes More Gains With Public

There’s more bad news for Democrats in the latest Washington Post-ABC News poll, which shows that the once-decimated Republicans have essentially evened the playing field. More than 70% gave Congress a failing grade, with almost half saying they felt “anti-incumbent” to just more than a third feeling “pro-incumbent.” Asked how they’d vote in November, respondents were evenly split, with each party getting 46%; a few months ago, Democrats had a 51% to 39% advantage.

Barack Obama’s approval rating held steady at 51%, and respondents still trust him much more than congressional Republicans or Democrats. But the 20-point advantage Obama once held on issues like health care, the economy, and terrorism has shrunk to five points, as Obama’s support among independents withers. But Republicans shouldn’t get too excited; 52% of the public still has an unfavorable view of them, to 44% favorable. (More Barack Obama stories.)