Poll Watch: Rasmussen Tea Party Survey

Rasmussen Tea Party Survey

Suppose the Tea Party Movement organized itself as a political party. When thinking about the next election for Congress, would you vote for the Republican candidate from your district, the Democratic candidate from your district, or the Tea Party candidate from your district?

• Democratic candidate 40% (36%)
• Republican candidate 21% (25%)
• Tea Party candidate 18% (17%)
• Not sure 21% (23%)

Do you consider yourself a part of the Tea Party Movement?

• Yes 16%
• No 69%
• Not sure 15%

National survey of 1,000 likely voters was conducted June 9, 2011. The margin of error is +/- 3 percentage points. Results from the poll conducted February 7-8, 2010 are in parentheses.

Inside the numbers:

In the new survey, the Tea Party candidate draws 28% support from GOP voters, while 85% of Democrats back their party’s candidate. Just 45% of Republicans support the Republican candidate in the three-way matchup. Among voters not affiliated with either of the major parties, 15% like the Republican, 29% the Democrat and 25% the Tea Party candidate. 

Among Tea Party members, a plurality (48%) supports the Tea Party candidate, while 24% favor the Republican and 23% are undecided. Just five percent (5%) go for the Democrat. 

Fifty-two percent (52%) of non-members support the Democrat and 19% the Republican. The Tea Party candidate earns only nine percent (9%) of the vote from this group, with 20% undecided.