Gallup: Democratic Advantage in Party Affiliation Shrinks

From Gallup.com:

In August, an average of 45% of Americans identified as Democrats or leaned to the Democratic Party, while 40% identified as Republicans or leaned to the Republican Party. This 5 point advantage represents a decided narrowing of the gap between the parties from the 17 point Democratic advantage in January...

Americans show concern about rising federal spending and exploding budget deficits... The debate over healthcare reform is also putting party ideological differences into sharper focus, and Democratic Party leaders have been put on the defensive about some of the key elements for healthcare reform they favor, such as a public-option health insurance plan...

From Rasmussen Reports - September 1, 2009:

Overall, the number who Strongly Approve [of President Obama's jop performance] has fallen from 43% in January to 30% in August. During that same time frame, the number who Strongly Disapprove has grown from 20% to 39%. Those numbers translate to a Presidential Approval Index that has declined from +23 in January to -9 in August.

Also in August, the President’s total approval fell below 50% for the first time.

From Rasmussen's daily tracking poll - September 2, 2009:

The Rasmussen Reports daily Presidential Tracking poll for Wednesday shows that 28% of the nation's voters Strongly Approve of the way that Barack Obama is performing his role as President. Forty percent (40%) Strongly Disapprove giving Obama a Presidential Approval Index rating of -12...