Poll: GOP poised to recoup seats in 2010

PRINCETON, N.J., Nov. 11 (UPI) -- Republicans now lead Democrats among registered voters in the latest Gallup Poll's generic congressional ballot for 2010 House elections, results indicated.

In the latest snapshot released Wednesday, Republicans nipped Democrats, 48 percent to 44 percent, Gallup said. The survey was conducted just after Republicans claimed the New Jersey and Virginia gubernatorial races.

Independent registered voters favored Republican candidates over Democratic hopefuls, 52 percent to 30 percent, the latest survey indicated. Both parties maintain similar loyalty from their bases, with 91 percent of Democratic registered voters indicating a preference for Democratic candidates and 93 percent of Republican voters preferring Republicans.

Independent voters who said they preferred GOP candidates in their districts grew from a 1 percentage point advantage in July to the current 22 percentage point spread, the Princeton, N.J., polling agency said.

The results would predict a probable strong Republican showing if the House elections were held today, Gallup said, cautioning that voter turnout a year from now is crucial in determining the final outcome of midterm elections.

Results were based on telephone interviews with 894 registered voters conducted Nov. 5-8. The margin of error is 4 percentage points.