Independents Backing Republicans by Double-Digit Margin, Poll Shows
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Independents are flocking to Republican candidates, according to a new poll, signaling an important shift in the critical voting bloc that helped boost Democrats the past two cycles.
A Politico/George Washington University poll showed independents choosing Republicans by a 14-point margin. The survey showed those voters held a bleaker-than-average view of key Democratic policies -- 62 percent had an unfavorable view of the health care law, compared with 52 percent for all voters; 66 percent said the stimulus is not working, compared with 57 percent for all voters.
The movement continues a trend that started when independents began breaking for the GOP in the Virginia and New Jersey gubernatorial races and Massachusetts Senate race.
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The surge in independent support boosts Republicans' chances with the midterm election, which is just more than a week away. Though the polls are tightening in a handful of races, Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Steele said Sunday he's confident the party can take control of Congress.
The latest poll showed Republicans leading Democrats overall by 47-42 percent.
The survey of 1,000 likely voters was conducted Oct. 17-20. It had a margin of error of 3.1 percentage points.