GOP LEADS IN GENERIC CONGRESSIONAL BALLOT - AT 9:42 A.M. ET: Rasmussen is reporting that the Republicans, for the third straight week, lead in the generic congressional ballot, a spectacular comeback for a party that was declared terminal just weeks ago by the journalists who gave us the age of Obama, global warming, and the certain American defeat in Iraq:

Republican candidates continue to lead on the latest edition of the Generic Congressional Ballot as Democrats fall to their lowest level of support among voters in recent years.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows that 40% would vote for their district’s Republican congressional candidate while 37% would choose the Democratic candidate.

And yet, the Dems charge ahead in Congress, indifferent to public opinion.

More good stuff:

Democrats held a six- or seven-point lead over the GOP for the first several weeks of 2009. That began to slip in early February, and since mid-April, the parties have been roughly even.

Men prefer Republicans by a 43% to 35% margin. Women remain divided this week, favoring Democrats 39% to 38%.

Voters not affiliated with either party like GOP candidates by a 39% to 19% margin, showing little change since last week.

COMMENT:  The key findings here are the women's vote, essentially a dead heat, and the remarkable collapse in support for the Dems among independents.

Obviously, we want to wait for confirming figures from other polls, but Nancy Pelosi might look wistfully around the Speaker's office today, if only to have a fond memory.  Some digital pictures for the scrapbook might also help.

July 15, 2009