SurveyUSA.com  has posted popularity ratings for all 100 of our esteemed Senators. The Survey results are dated March 23rd and list each Senator's percentage approval, disapproval and the difference between the two.

Assuming that the survey at least approximately reflects reality, I decided to do a bit of data analysis by loading the survey results into a spreadsheet and resorting by descending percentage approval then by descending percentage differential. The results indicates that, in general, Democratic Senators enjoy greater approval by their constituents than do Republicans. Keeping in mind that the Senate has 55 Republican Senators, 45 Democrats and one 'independent', 84% of the Democrats enjoy an approval rating over 50%, while 69% of Republicans do. The independent Mr. Jeffords of the New York State annex Vermont stands approved at 65% .

Also, of the top ten most highly approved Senators, seven are Dems and three GOPers. Of the ten having the dubious distinction of being the least popular, nine are Republicans with one Democrat holding down the 95th popularity spot, that being Frank Lautenberg of New Jersey. However, he still enjoys a 7% approval over disapproval positive margin.

There are only three Senators — all Republican — who have a negative approval to disapproval margin. They are Rick Santorum (PA), Jim Bunning (KY), and Conrad Burns (MT).

Of those Senators with under 50% approval running for reelection, five are Democrats and four Republicans. But the four Republicans all have lower approval scores.

Mr. Barone, what say you?

Dennis Sevakis   3 26 06