Now why would voters think Republicans are unethical, extreme, and unconcerned with the needs of regular people?

Now why would voters think Republicans are unethical, extreme, and unconcerned with the needs of regular people?

If you were taking a look at Pew's latest health care-related poll, you'd certainly be struck by the big number Jed pulled out earlier today: that voters trust the Democratic Party on health care over the GOP by a 45-38 margin, despite the botched Obamacare rollout. Given Republicans are running their entire 2014 campaign on taking away people's Obamacare insurance and abortion, this can't make them too happy.

But that's not the only interesting data in the poll.

Third Way and their friends will weep at this:



Overall, 63% say reducing the budget deficit should be a top priority for Congress and the president this year, down from 72% a year ago. Most of the decline has come among Democrats: Only about half of Democrats – 49% – view deficit reduction as a top priority, down 18 points since last January.

[A]nother policy objective – dealing with the problems of the poor and needy – has declined as a top priority among Republicans. Just 32% of Republicans say dealing with the problems of poor and needy people should be a top priority for Obama and Congress, down 14 points since 2013 (46%).

Remember that stuff about Republicans coming up with a poverty agenda ? Never mind that nonsense.The public really thinks Republicans are assholes:Heck, Republicans should be humiliated that the public sees the parties tied on the issue of handling taxes, 41-41. That's supposed to be their issue. But conservatives can console themselves with their 45-36 lead on handling the federal budget deficit and a narrow 42-38 lead on the economy.

Given that the economy is the number one issue for voters, that's not an insignificant consolation. But Republicans will have to stop coming across as such creeps in order to capitalize on that. And so far, they're doing a pretty poor job of it.