Today's Blog Entry Is Brought To You By The Number 23, As In Congress's Approval Rating

I don't trust polls, no one does, really. Especially not 6 months before an election. But everyone loves polls and statistics because they let our hunches develop scientific aspirations. That said, LA Times political writers Janet Hook and Ron Brownstein (who, interestingly, is married to one of John McCain's top aides) wrote a fantastic, easy to swallow breakdown of the latest numbers that will make you the smartest cookie in the office cookie jar. If you care to read their words or take a closer look at some key races, click here, or just look at the national numbers I have cut and pasted below.

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Presidential job approval rating

1994: 46%

2006: 34%

*

Congressional job approval rating

1994: 23%

2006: 23%

*

Does your member of Congress deserve reelection? Yes:

1994: 54%

2006: 59%

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Do most members of Congress deserve reelection? Yes:

1994: 38%

2006: 38%

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In the congressional election do you intend to vote*:

Democratic

1994: 44%

2006: 54%

Republican

1994: 51%

2006: 39%

*1994 asked "likely" voters; this year asked "registered" voters

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The Senate races

Democrats need a six-seat gain to capture the Senate. The races below will be crucial to determining whether they can upend the GOP majority.

The Senate today

Republican: 55

Democrat: 44

Independent: 1

*



The House races

Republicans hold 18 districts that Democrat John F. Kerry carried in the 2004 presidential race. The Democrats need to take several of these seats to control the House.

The House today
Republican: 231
Democrat: 201
Independent: 1
Open seats: 2