Generic number question

[Whacker77]

With seven and a half weeks to go, it appears that the generic number favors the Democrats by 8-10 points.  What I would llike to know is how that number compares to the last mid-term year, 2002.  During that summer, Charlie Cook and others talked of a wave, but one never materialized.  We'll see if history repeats itself.  Also, does anyone know what the average generic number was on the eve of the 2002 election?  I don't think 2004 is as important since it was a presidential year.

[Silent Hunter]

http://www.pollingreport.com/2002.htm

Should answer both your questions.

The Democrats weren't as far ahead in 2002.

[Whacker77]

Thanks for the site.  You're exactly right about 2002.  Democrats never led by the numbers they have this past summer.  That suprised me.  I thought they had a larger edge than that as election day approached.