The Republicans have experienced something they have not experienced in recent years. People like them. At least for now.
For the first time since 2005, a Gallup poll shows that Americans are more positive than negative about the Republican Party.
The poll released Thursday showed 47 percent of respondents have a favorable impression of Republicans, against 43 percent who had an unfavorable. This may seem like a lukewarm endorsement, but compare this with the brand in 2008, when 61 per cent to the chagrin of Republicans.
The party is dragged into the kingdom public opinion even before the mid-term elections of 2006, when Congress took up the Democrats temporarily during the Bush administration. Although the Republicans made gains historic Congress last November, were still largely satisfied with the public throughout the course of the campaign.
As to the last rise, Gallup has warned that the party will continue its support before declaring any kind of rebound in the picture.
Democrats are now having similar support, with 47 percent of people reporting a negative opinion of the party and 46 percent reporting positive views. But the Democratic numbers have been trending downward since 2009, while Republicans grades have been on the increase.
The survey of 1,032 adults was conducted Jan. 14 to 16. It had a margin of error of 4 percentage points.