The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey found that, if the Congressional Election were held today, 46% of American voters say they would vote for the Democrat in their district and 35% would opt for the Republican (see crosstabs). That eleven point advantage for Nancy Pelosi’s party is little changed from a month ago. It’s the fourth straight month Nancy Pelosi’s Party has enjoyed a double-digit lead.

The new results may put another smile on the Speaker’s face. A month ago, at a lunch meeting with reporters, she admitted to being unhappy with the Congressional approval ratings. However, the first woman elected Speaker of the House added "I'm very pleased with the Democratic numbers. Today the Rasmussen numbers were the third time that we were double-digit ahead in the generic… and the third month in a row we were in the high 40s."

Democrats continue to enjoy a huge lead among young voters—57% for the Democrats to 27% for the GOP. Pelosi’s party also has a twenty-two point lead among women, but trail by three among men.

The parties evenly divide the votes of white Americans and senior citizens. Liberal voters are more supportive of Democrats than conservatives are of the Republican Party.

These patterns mirror other recent survey findings. Republican weakness among younger voters was highlighted by a poll showing that comedian and phony Presidential candidate Stephen Colbert attracted more support that GOP candidates among voters under the age of 30. Additionally, in general election Presidential match-ups, Democratic frontrunner Hillary Clinton typically leads Republican candidates among women and trails among men.

In Rasmussen Reports national telephone surveys, Democrats have now reached 46% or better in six consecutive monthly polls. During that same time frame, the Republicans have never topped the 37% level of support. Only once in the past nine months has the Democratic lead been smaller than ten points.

Democrats also have an advantage in underlying party identification. During the month of October, 37.3% of Americans considered themselves to be Democrats and 32.7% said they were Republicans. In Election 2004, the two parties were essentially even in terms of partisan identification.

Perceptions of the Democratic Congress moved a bit to the left over the past month. Forty-one percent (41%) of voters now see most Democrats in Congress as politically liberal. That’s up from 37% a month ago. Thirty-eight percent (38%) say most Democrats in Congress are politically moderate, down from 42% (see tracking history).

There was little change in perceptions of Republicans in Congress—46% see most Republicans in Congress as politically conservative, up just a point from October (see tracking history).Thirty-three percent (33%) now see the GOP Representatives as politically moderate.

Thirty-eight percent (38%) of voters say Democrats are Very Likely to retain control of Congress following the 2008 elections. Another 33% say they are Somewhat Likely to retain control. That totals 71% who say the Democrats are likely to stay in charge following Election 2008, down five points from 76% in October.

Democrats are still trusted more than Republicans on key issues tracked by Rasmussen Reports.

Rasmussen Reports updates the Generic Congressional Ballot on a monthly basis. The Presidential Tracking Poll is updated daily.

Rasmussen Reports continuously updates key polling stats for all Republican and Democratic Presidential candidates along with ratings for Members of Congress, Other Political Figures, and Journalists.

See survey questions and top-line results. Crosstabs are available for Premium Members only.