Pendulum swings

After the Democratic gains of the last few years, the political pendulum may be swinging the other way.

In a nationwide Gallup Poll, 48 percent of respondents said they would support a hypothetical Republican candidate for Congress next year over a Democrat, USA Today reported. Some 44 percent preferred a Democratic candidate. That is the first time the GOP has been favored this year.

The survey did not mention specific politicians, but asked whether voters would support the Democratic or Republican candidate in their congressional districts if the election were held now.

Independent voters tipped the balance to the Republicans, favoring them over the Democrats 52 percent to 30 percent.

Those are the voters that both parties need to target.