Poll: Democratic Party ratings plummet

How much damage have Barack Obama, Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid done to the Democratic Party? Plenty, according to a new poll.

From a story by Andy Barr in POLITICO:

The percentage of Americans who hold a favorable view of the Democratic Party has slipped below 50 percent for the first time since President Barack Obama took office, according to a new Pew Research Center poll released Wednesday.

Only 49 percent of Americans now hold a favorable view of the Democratic Party, down from 62 percent in the same poll shortly after Obama assumed office. Democratic favorable ratings hovered around 60 percent as recently as April, when 59 percent of those polled held a favorable view.

The national survey of 2,010 adults conducted Aug. 11-17 also found that 51 percent of Americans approve of Obama's job performance with 37 percent disapproving. Independents split 45 percent-43 percent in approving of the president’s performance.

Read the full story here.