Source: Wall Street Journal
Only 27% of voters have positive views of Republicans, according to the latest Wall Street Journal/NBC News poll, the lowest level for either party in the survey's nearly two-decade history.
Yet the party's presumptive presidential nominee, Arizona Sen. John McCain, continues to run nearly even with Democratic rivals Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton. His showing clouds the outcome of a race that was expected to be tough for Republicans, who face an electorate that overwhelmingly believes the country is headed in the wrong direction under President Bush.
"The nearly unprecedented negative mood of the country is presenting significant challenges this year for other Republican candidates," said Republican pollster Neil Newhouse, who conducted the poll with Democrat Peter Hart.
President (sic) Bush reached new lows in his eighth and final year, with 27% approving of his overall job performance, and 21% his handling of the weakened economy. An unprecedented 73% of voters believe the country is on the wrong track; only 15% say it is going in the right direction.
