Changes

In the doldrums after 2000, the party roared back with major gains in 2006, which it expanded in 2008 to sweep control of the national government, and leave the GOP in a state of confusion and decline.  

In the doldrums after 2000, the party roared back with major gains in 2006, which it expanded in 2008 to sweep control of the national government, and leave the GOP in a state of confusion and decline.  

The Democrats currently control the White House and have decisive majorities in the [[111th United States Congress]], together with the majority of state governorships and legislatures and control most large cities as well, while suburbs and rural areas are more likely to be in republican hands.<ref>[http://www.multistate.com/Site.nsf/Elections2006PostMaps?OpenPage Multistate.com] Post-Election 2006 Maps</ref> Polls show 50% of voters identify themselves with the Democratic Party as opposed to 35% for the Republican Party.<ref>[http://people-press.org/reports/display.php3?ReportID=312 Trends in Political Values and Core Attitudes: 1987-2007] Pew Research Center, 22 March 2007</ref>  The Democratic-majority Congress currently has a net negative approval rating (although [[Rasmussen Reports]] stated that the May 2009 ratings were the highest since May 2007<ref>[http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/mood_of_america/congressional_performance/congressional_performance Rasmussen Reports: Congressional Performance]</ref>), while President Obama has a strong 61% approval.<ref> Laura Meckler, [http://online.wsj.com/article/SB124095605121565495.html#articleTabs%3Darticle "So Far, Obama Remains Popular With Public; Poll Finds Reservations About Policies on Terrorism and Deficit, but Tentative Backing for Health-Care and Energy Overhauls," ''Wall Street Journal'' April 29, 2009]</ref>

The Democrats currently control the White House and have decisive majorities in the [[111th United States Congress]], together with the majority of state governorships and legislatures and control most large cities as well, while suburbs and rural areas are more likely to be in republican hands.<ref>[http://www.multistate.com/Site.nsf/Elections2006PostMaps?OpenPage Multistate.com] Post-Election 2006 Maps</ref> Polls show 50% of voters identify themselves with the Democratic Party as opposed to 35% for the Republican Party.<ref>[http://people-press.org/reports/display.php3?ReportID=312 Trends in Political Values and Core Attitudes: 1987-2007] Pew Research Center, 22 March 2007</ref>  The Democratic-majority Congress currently has a negative approval rating, while President Obama has a strong 61% approval.<ref> Laura Meckler, [http://online.wsj.com/article/SB124095605121565495.html#articleTabs%3Darticle "So Far, Obama Remains Popular With Public; Poll Finds Reservations About Policies on Terrorism and Deficit, but Tentative Backing for Health-Care and Energy Overhauls," ''Wall Street Journal'' April 29, 2009]</ref>

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