WSJ Poll : Congressional Disapproval
Thursday May 19, 2005
A Wall Street Journal / NBC poll shows that Americans are unhappy with Congressional performance, with polling data showing the lowest approval ratings since 1994; that's when Republicans capitalized on voter discontent and swept into power. Only 42% of those polled believe their Congressman should be re-elected; and two-thirds believe Congress doesn't share their priorities. With a margin of error of +/- 3%, this would not bode well if elections were around the corner.
However, incumbents have 18 months to change that attitude -- and research shows an incumbent advantage of as much as 10 points. So all is not yet lost for the Republican majority.
On personal notes, 52% of those surveyed believe Congress should investigate House Majority Leader DeLay on the issue of travel and lobbyist relationships. And 56% oppose President Bush's idea that workers should invest their social security money in the stock market.
On the economy, 51% disapprove of the President; on foreign policy, 52% disapprove of the President; and on Iraq, 52% disapprove of the President. In each case, the "not sure" numbers keep the well approval rating below 50%, even with the margin of error taken into account.
Wall Street Journal (requires registration)
However, incumbents have 18 months to change that attitude -- and research shows an incumbent advantage of as much as 10 points. So all is not yet lost for the Republican majority.
On personal notes, 52% of those surveyed believe Congress should investigate House Majority Leader DeLay on the issue of travel and lobbyist relationships. And 56% oppose President Bush's idea that workers should invest their social security money in the stock market.
On the economy, 51% disapprove of the President; on foreign policy, 52% disapprove of the President; and on Iraq, 52% disapprove of the President. In each case, the "not sure" numbers keep the well approval rating below 50%, even with the margin of error taken into account.
Wall Street Journal (requires registration)