Voters around the United States have very mixed feelings about America’s place in the world in the years ahead.

A June Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that:

Only 31 percent of U.S. voters think the United States will be the most powerful nation in the world at the end of the 21st century.

35 percent disagree
34 percent are not sure

Conservatives are twice as likely as liberals to believe that the United States will not be number one by the end of the century.
Much of the concern about America’s future mirrors the country’s current economic situation.

Only 26 percent of Americans believe the economy is getting better.

Data from the Rasmussen Consumer Index shows that

50 percent believe the economy is getting worse.

Most voters think the government should get out of the bailout business right now.

They also continue to worry that the government will do too much to “help” the economy.

Republicans Gaining Trust?

Voters now trust Republicans more than Democrats on six out of 10 key issues, including the top issue of the economy.

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 45 percent now trust the GOP more to handle economic issues, while 39 percent trust Democrats more. This is the first time in over two years of polling that the GOP has held the advantage on this issue. Separate Rasmussen tracking shows that the economy remains the top issue among voters in terms of importance.

Republicans also now hold a six-point lead on the issue of government ethics and corruption, the second most important issue to all voters and the top issue among unaffiliated voters. That shows a large shift from May, when Democrats held an 11-point lead on the issue.

For the eighth straight month, Republicans lead on national security. The GOP now holds a 51 percent to 36 percent lead on the issue, up from a seven-point lead in May.

They also lead on the war in Iraq 45 percent to 37 percent, after leading by just two points in May and trailing the Democrats in April.

How to Run for Office

Whether or not the Republican party brings fresh young faces to the fore, history favors the Republicans in 2010. The party not currently in power typically wins seats in the Congress in mid-term elections.

Specifically, the party not in power has gained an average of 23 seats in the U.S. House of Representatives and two in the U.S. Senate during a new president’s mid-term election. Only Franklin Delano Roosevelt and George W. Bush have gained seats in both chambers in the first mid-term.

With five GOP senators choosing not to run again, National Republican Senatorial Committee Chairman John Cornyn is hard at work to recruit new candidates. Will Christian conservatives rise up through the ranks of local and state government to take their place on the ballot in 2010 and 2012? Or will the Body of Christ continue to slumber while corrupt politicians take the helm of our nation?

If you want to run for political office, check out books like “Politicking: How to Get Elected, Take Action and Make an Impact on Your Community” and “How to Run for Local Office: A Complete, Step-By-Step Guide that Will Take You Through the Entire Process of Running and Winning a Local Election.” You can find both books on Amazon.com.