Big Drop in Self-Described Democrats

 Do you remember just a few short years ago during the "Bush regime" when it was a matter of pride for some people to pull out of the Whole Foods parking lot with their SUV with a big fat W with a line through it and a sticker that read "Proud to be a DEMOCRAT"? Well, there are still self-righteous folks like that, of course, but it appears that their numbers have thinned as a little more sanity has returned to American politics.

The number of self-described Democrats has hit a 22-year low after the debacle of ObamaCare and the 2010 midterm elections, according to Gallup polling. In just 2008 the Democrats had a 35-28% advantage over Republicans-- more and more young people and independents appeared to be switching parties.

Graph: Gallup Polling

 

Now that gap has shrunk to 31-29-- and according to Rasmussen's similar polling, Republicans now outnumber Democrats. In addition, if you take a look at party ID/leaning ID-- Democrats enjoyed a 52-40 advantage in 2008. That former 12-point gap is now 45-44% in favor of the Democrats.

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