Taking the offensive on national security issues, the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee (DSCC) released new polling data today that shows – for the first time ever – that Democrats would defeat the Republicans in November even if the election is focused exclusively on national security issues. Democratic candidates and senators said the national security issue will be advantageous to them in the upcoming midterm elections and vowed to increase accountability and oversight when they get to the Senate to ensure more effective national security policies.
“Americans are looking for a new voice on national security and they’re looking to the Democrats,” DSCC Chairman Chuck Schumer. “Democrats are gaining on national security because we are advancing policies that are both tough and smart, that provide real security and keep America safe. This year the October surprise is going to be on the Republicans when they wake up and find that Democrats have the advantage on the issue.”
The data being released today shows that even if Americans were deciding their votes in the mid-term elections solely on the issue of national security, they would vote for a Democrat over a Republican by a margin of 41% to 39%. Significantly, independent voters split for the Democrats in a security-focused election by a 10 point margin. The overall results represent a five-point improvement for the Democrats compared to polling from last year.
The poll also reveals that the Republican message on national security, as telegraphed by Karl Rove and Ken Mehlman, is not resonating with the American people and that the Democratic security is more convincing to the electorate this year. When the two parties' messages on national security are put head-to-head against each other, voters say by 46-41% that the Democratic security message is the more convincing one.
http://www.dscc.org/news/roundup/20060403_natsecure/