Poll puts Democrats in box seat for congressional elections

WASHINGTON - With congressional elections less than three weeks away, the Republican Party's approval ratings are at an all-time low, with approval of the Republican-led Congress at its lowest point in 14 years.

An NBC News/Wall Street Journal poll showed 47 per cent of respondents said they were less in favour of keeping Republicans in control of Congress, compared to 14 per cent who were more in favour of maintaining the current congressional makeup. Only 16 per cent of respondents approve of the job Congress is doing, the lowest level since 1992.

In October 1994, when Democrats held congressional majorities, Congress had a 24 per cent job approval, NBC said. Democrats lost 52 House and eight Senate seats in the 1994 elections. On November 7, Democrats need an extra 15 House seats and six Senate seats to reclaim control.

Asked who they planned to vote for, 37 per cent said Republicans and 52 per cent Democrats. The 15 per cent difference was the highest disparity ever in the poll and up from a 9-point difference a month ago.

- REUTERS