Still a long way to go.

(The Hill) — Voters prefer to see Republicans in control of Congress after the 2012 election, a new poll found Tuesday.

Fifty-four percent of likely voters said they would likely to see Republicans in control of Congress as a result of the 2012 elections, compared to 39 percent who would prefer Democrats in charge, according to a Newsweek/Daily Beast poll released this morning.

An additional 13 percent of likely voters said they would prefer to see divided government, while 18 percent were unsure about who they prefer to see in control of Congress.

The poll suggests that Republicans enjoy an early advantage in their bid to retain control of the House in 2012, and take control of the Senate in next fall’s elections. Democrats need at least a couple dozen seats to reclaim the House in that election, while Senate Republicans are hopeful that a favorable electoral map will help them pick up the net gain of four seats they need to retake the Senate.