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The number of Americans who view the Republican Party unfavorably has hit a record high, according to a new poll released by CNN on Monday ( http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2013/images/05/20/rel6b-1.pdf] ), despite scandals that have plagued the White House over the past few weeks.

The poll found that 59 percent of respondents view the GOP unfavorably, a record that has only shown up one other time in the poll's results since tracking began in 1992.

The Republican Party's net favorability ratings are down 8 points in the past two months. The amount of respondents viewing the GOP favorably fell from 38 percent to 35 percent, while the number of people who view the party unfavorably climbed five points, up from 54 percent in March.

The only other time the party's favorability ratings have been this low came in the aftermath of the summer 2011 fight over raising the nation's debt ceiling.

The poll's findings — combined with President Barack Obama's continued popularity — suggest that Republicans remain susceptible to overreach on the issues of Benghazi and the IRS' targeting of conservative-sounding groups applying for tax exempt status. http://www.businessinsider.com/poll-gop-favorability-rating-obama-irs-
tea-party-scandals-2013-5]

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