Polls are not like a weather forecast. We can’t do anything about the weather. If the prediction is rain, the only thing to do is get ready for it. Polls measure public sentiment. But that sentiment can be influenced.

Current polling seems to justify handwringing on the part of Republicans regarding the outlook for November. RealClear Polling’s latest general congressional poll shows Democrats leading Republicans 47.9% to 40.3%. However, again, it’s not the weather. We’ve got months. And this can be influenced.

PARKER: Every Democrat sent to Washington will hurt America Back to video

The overall sentiment in the country is not good. RealClear Polling shows 33.8% saying the country is going in the “right direction” and 60.1 % saying the country is on the “wrong track.”

Regarding party favourability, the unhappiness is meted out evenly — Democrats stand at 36.7% favourable, 55.5% unfavourable; Republicans 38.3% favourable, 56.1% unfavourable.

So, let’s separate some of the wheat from the chaff.

The........

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