Rasmussen: More Americans Now Identify Themselves as Republicans Than Democrats

This is very bad news for the Democratic Party as they look to regroup ahead of the 2012 elections.

Rasmussen reported:

In November, 36.0% of American Adults identified themselves as Republicans; 34.7% considered themselves Democrats, and 29.3% were not affiliated with either major party. That’s the largest number of Republicans since February 2005 and the first time ever that Rasmussen Reports polling has found more people identifying as Republicans than Democrats.

Americans Abandon Democrat Label

Less Americans are willing to identify themselves as Democrats. According to this USA Today Poll, the number of Americans calling themselves Democrats is in sharp decline. Republicans are on a slight uptick, but the biggest difference is the number who are now claiming the Independent label.



The same poll found 50% say President Obama does not deserve re-election.

• Fifty percent say Obama doesn't deserve re-election, and 26% say he deserves "a great deal" of the blame for the nation's economic problems, double the percentage in July.

Americans identified as Democrats declines 12 points in 8 months

According to Gallop, being a Democrat isn't as popular as it was in January. The Democrat's lead in party affiliation has declined 12-points since January from a 17-point advantage to only 5-points.

Gallop reported:

PRINCETON, NJ -- In August, an average of 45% of Americans identified as Democrats or leaned to the Democratic Party, while 40% identified as Republicans or leaned to the Republican Party. This 5-point advantage represents a decided narrowing of the gap between the parties from the 17-point Democratic advantage in January.

Graph from Gallop.