What people want from President Obama and the Democrats in Congress

The Club for Growth surveyed 12 districts that "represent the political middle of the country". Of those who were surveyed, 48% were Obama supporters and 44% were McCain supporters. And since this survey was conducted a few days before the election, 8% were undecided. 45% preferred Democrats to be in control of Congress while 40% preferred Republicans.

This survey of public opinion in 12 congressional districts across the nation was conducted November 1-2, 2008, among 800 likely general election voters. All interviews were conducted by professional interviewers by telephone. Interview selection was at random from among lists of registered voters with a history of voting in general elections in each district. The sample was equally weighted among the 12 districts. The accuracy of this survey with 800 likely voters is within +/-3.46% at a 95% confidence interval.

What the survey tells us is that people are not interested in using the tax code to redistribute wealth. Only 23% favored a redistributionist tax system while 73% did not favor such a tax system. 62% want the Bush Tax cuts extended while only 26% want them to expire. And 66% want the inheritance tax cut to be made permanent.

And most people (66%) want Congress to cut spending. And only 39% thought that Government isn't doing enough while most (54%) thought Government is doing too much.

A large majority of people (72%) want to America to drill for oil offshore.

A plurality (47%) believe that free trade is good.

It is quite clear from this that Americans should have voted Republican. Why didn't they?

Because 80% of the people agree with the statement "The Republicans used to be the party of economic growth, fiscal discipline, and limited government, but in recent years, too many Republicans in Washington have become just like the big spenders that they used to oppose."

Democrats take note: If you want to maintain your majority you will have a much better chance if you become the party that embraces the ideals the Republicans have abandoned.

THE DISTRICTS
The survey was conducted in the following 12 congressional districts: Arizona-01; Colorado-04; Florida-08; Minnesota-03; Nevada-03; New Jersey-03; New York-13; North Carolina-08; Ohio-16; Pennsylvania-03; Illinois-11; and Virginia-11.

These 12 districts have the following significant characteristics:

• All were House seats that were held by Republicans going into this election (5 by incumbent Republicans seeking reelection; 7 open seats left by retiring Republicans incumbents.)
• The districts were distributed evenly throughout the country: 3 in the Northeast; 3 in the South; 3 in the West; 3 in the Midwest.
• The districts were evenly distributed by party affiliation: 37% Republican, 40% Democrat; 19% Independent/Other.
• In 2004, President Bush carried all districts with a narrow average of 53%.
• On Election Day 2008, Democrats were elected to replace Republicans in all but one of these 12 districts (Minnesota-03).