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Not Exactly Mandate Numbers: Despite giving the GOP sweeping victories in the House on Election Day, Americans are not particularly enthusiastic about what the GOP will do now that it is in power.

A new Pew Research Center poll shows that fewer respondents are happy that that GOP won (48 percent) than were happy about the Democratic victories in 2006 (60 percent) and Republican victories in 1994 (57 percent). The same percentage of independents -- 48 percent -- are happy the GOP won.

Also, fewer approve of the GOP's proposed policies (41 percent) than supported the Democrats' in 2006 (50 percent) and Republicans' in 1994 (52 percent).

The root of the discontent, however, may have less to do with the Republican Party than it does with the general displeasure with the governing process. Very few respondents -- 22 percent -- said they thought the relationship between Republicans and Democrats will improve after the election, while 28 percent said it will get worse and 48 percent said it will stay the same. In part because of that, nearly the same percentage said the GOP will be successful in getting their proposals passed -- 43 percent -- as said that they will be successful -- 37 percent.

Further, despite giving him only a 44 percent approval rating, respondents say Pres. Obamashould take the lead in solving the country's economic problems. Nearly half -- 49 percent -- said Obama should be at the helm on economic issues, while 30 percent said Republican leaders should be.

Ultimately, it appears that Americans want Obama and Republicans to put aside partisanship and work together. More than half -- 55 percent -- said Republicans should work with Obama even if it disappoints Republican voters. A higher percentage -- 62 percent -- said Obama should work with Republicans even it it disappoints his supporters. A strong majority of Republicans, however, said Republican leaders should stand up to Obama -- 71 percent -- while fewer Democrats say Obama should stand up to Republican leaders -- 43 percent.


Eric D. Schwerin
Rosemont Seneca Partners, LLC
1010 Wisconsin Ave., NW
Suite 705
Washington, DC 20007
(202) 333-1880
eschwerin@rosemontseneca.com
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