US News

GOP turning into popular party

WASHINGTON — The Grand Old Party can finally break out the champagne: Its six-year popularity drought has come to an end.

For the first time since 2005, more people view the Republican Party favorably than unfavorably, by a margin of 47 to 43 percent, according to the latest Gallup poll, just weeks after the GOP took over the House.

The Democrats’ 46-47 percent favorability rating is an improvement over recent readings, although it is poor by historical standards. The Democratic Party generally polls above 50 percent favorable.