A Change in the Winds

Michelle Malkin presents an exhibit to go with the almost daily announcements of retiring Democrats:

Rasmussen rings in the new year with a new poll showing that the number of Americans who identify as Democrats has fallen to its lowest level in seven years:

In December, the number of Americans identifying themselves as Democrats fell to the lowest level recorded in more than seven years of monthly tracking by Rasmussen Reports.

Currently, 35.5% of American adults view themselves as Democrats. That's down from 36.0 a month ago and from 37.8% in October. Prior to December, the lowest total ever recorded for Democrats was 35.9%, a figure that was reached twice in 2005. See the History of Party Trends from January 2004 to the present.

Short-term Republican gains, in the poll, have exceeded Democrat declines, although the former still lag the latter when it comes to voter self-identification. One hopes, however, that the days of one party benefiting more from the unpopularity of its opposition than from its own merits are over and that Republicans will build a long-term majority by leading, not catering. Not being the other guy makes for fickle support.