Democrats Blow Another Lead

The Democratic Party seems to be once again attempting to earn the title of "surrender monkeys." Look at what they've squandered:

Americans are extremely displeased with Congress, and there are already some signs that this could take a toll on the Democrats in the 2010 midterm elections. Currently, 37% express a favorable opinion of Congress, while 52% hold an unfavorable view. Positive opinions of Congress have declined by 13 points since April and now are at their lowest point in more than two decades of Pew Research Center surveys.

At the same time, intentions to vote Democratic in the next midterm election are markedly lower than they have been over the past four years. Voters are about evenly divided when asked how they would vote if the election for Congress were being held today: 45% say they would vote for a Democratic candidate in their district, or lean Democratic, while 44% say they would vote for a Republican or lean Republican. At about this point four years ago, Democrats led in the generic congressional ballot by 52% to 40% and went on to win a majority of the popular vote and regain control of Congress the following November.

It would be one thing to pass bold legislation that was a little daunting, and then to experience a drop in ratings. It is quite something else to conduct business as usual, make little change, and then watch favorables plummet. But Democrats have turned ineptitude into an art form.