On behalf of SEIU, the Benenson Strategy Group conducted 1,218 interviews with registered Democrats and Independents in Colorado, New Hampshire and Nevada from February 14 - 20 and February 25, 2010. The goal of the poll was to better understand where the anger and frustration of swing voters was coming from and who it was directed at. Our hunch was that it was not that simple...and we were right. (View the poll results here.)
When asked their top concerns about Congress, the most broadly and intensely expressed concern by those polled was that Members are prioritizing individual interest over the public interest. More topline insights and key takeaways from poll results below.
Key Takeaway #1: No One Is Without Blame When It Comes To "Politics As Usual"
Democrats and Independents are frustrated with the way Washington and Congress are doing business. Right now, people don't see either Republicans or Democrats putting the best interests of their country ahead of their own self-interests.They also don't see the point of bipartisanship for bipartisanship's sake - it's not what they're looking for. They're looking for progress, and they want to be able to trust that Congress will put America's interest ahead of special interests.
Another important finding: Independents have not abandoned Democrats for Republicans. As the memo reads, "What's critical is that Democrats do not mistake Independents' dissatisfaction with the way Democrats are running Congress with a rightward ideological shift." There has been no significant shift to the right. While it may be true that Democrats are not as popular right now, it is not because of policies, but because of politics.
Key Takaway #2: People Are Still Voting For The Change They Want to See
The American public sent an overwhelming majority to both houses of Congress for one clear reason: change. And, they are still waiting and looking for the change in Washington that they voted for.
As a result, Independents are split when it comes to who they intend to vote for in the upcoming Congressional elections. In line with that even split, when asked which candidate is more likely to bring "the kind of change we need to Washington," 29% of Independents said the Republican candidate, 29% said the Democratic candidate, and 42% said neither or that they didn't know. What does this mean? It means that people--Independents--are going to keep voting for change until they see it being delivered. More importantly, it means either party - Republicans or Democrats - has an opportunity here to step up.
Key Takeaway #3: Dems Control Their Own Future
There is a strong anti-incumbent mood right now. But let's remember, we have a long way to go until November. Keep in mind that Independents have not turned against Democrats. Any concerns about Democrats pushing "too liberal an agenda" are way down the list for them. Rather, they are far more concerned about Republican obstructionism, and see Republicans as standing in the way of getting things done. If voters see Congress start delivering on progress, Democrats will see real results and working families will be behind them.
What Do Independents Really Care About? 69 percent of Independents said that health care is "an urgent problem that requires immediate action" or "serious problem that should be dealt with as soon as possible." They want reforms that jumpstart the economy and aim to grow the middle class. Other top voting priorities include reforms that will:
✓ Create jobs
✓ Take on Wall Street to ensure abuses that created the financial crisis will not be repeated
✓ Crack down on influence of special interests (like insurance and pharmaceutical companies) when it comes to the way Congress does business.
The bottom line: Congress must take the lead on the issues important to working families. That's what Democrats and Independents both want to see.
OVERALL RECOMMENDATIONS
Pollsters Joel Benenson and Danny Franklin write in the poll memo that Democrats should focus on "demonstrating that individual Democrats, unlike Republicans, are placing what's best for the country ahead of narrow individual interests."
From Politico:
The memo argues that Democrats can repair their standing and recapture the mantle of "change" by passing health care legislation, by putting a new focus on a transparent, fair process, and by forcing Republicans to defend Wall Street.
Regardless of the issue, Democrats need to tie progress back to the concept of change and steer away from examples where deals are cut for short-term political expediency at the expense of the national good. And above all, get reform done -- people want Washington to govern, not lead with self-interest or merely stand on the sideline.
