The Fast Fix: Will the Democrats retake the House?

Will 2012 bring another wave election?

In the 2010 election, Republicans won 63 House seats and the majority in the chamber. But, they didn't win over the American public.

New polling data from Gallup shows that just 28 percent of voters think the majority of House members should be re-elected -- the exact same number who felt that way just before last November's election.

What those numbers make clear is that voters make little distinction between the two parties when it comes to control of the House. That is, voters seem to be souring on whichever side is in control incredibly quickly -- moving to change the majority party at an unprecedented pace.

Over the last four years, control of the House has switched twice: in 2006 and again in 2010.

Why the increased volatility? Independent voters tell the story. In 2006, they voted for Democratic candidates by 18 points. Four years later they supported Republican candidates by 19 points.

Of course, Congress has never been a popular institution. Gallup's historic congressional job approval is just 34 percent and that number has only spiked in the immediate aftermath of major events like the September 11 terrorist attacks.

Still, the upheaval of the last few elections coupled with the unhappiness still directed at incumbent suggests we could be headed for another wave election come 2012.

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