Congressional Approval Rating At All-Time Low
What happened in November 1992? Americans kept Democrats in power in Congress but kicked out the incumbent Republican President.
Gallup notes that most Americans disapprove of Congressional performance most of the time. However, this 18% is a clear drop from the 35% of us who approved of Congress in January -- which was up from 21% in December 2006. There was hope -- albeit slight -- that the new Congress would effect change (the reason for tossing out incumbents in November 2006). That hope has now deflated, which is reflected in the fact that voters calling themselves Republican haven't changed their opinion (18%) in the past month. Democrats (down from 32% to 21%) and independents (down from 30% to 17%) have.
What Gallup doesn't ask is why Americans are unhappy with Congress. My guess is it's because Congress hasn't gotten us out of Iraq. After all, another Gallup poll has 1/3 of us saying Iraq is the most important issue facing the country (it's been number one all year - nothing else on the list comes close). Most of us think Iraq was a mistake. Two thirds think the costs outweigh the benefits. And 7-in-10 believe we should begin withdrawal in April 2008.
However, Democrats do not have a veto-proof majority in the Senate. Disgruntlement over Congressional impasse on Iraq seems unreasonable in that light. Besides we're expecting a report on the progress of the surge next month.
Why do you think Americans are unhappy with Congress?
Comments
So John Q Public does not have reasonable expectations? Maybe the Democrats were foolish in promising all that they did to their diverse constituency. Maybe the Democrats raised that expectation that you call ‘unrealistic’. Promises vs reality shouldn’t be such a tough juggling act.
Hi, Alex –
I think it’s unreasonable to expect any party to effect major change if they don’t have a veto-proof majority in both Houses of Congress.
I don’t think it’s unreasonable to hold their feet to the fire, however.
I think what Congress did re FISA is reprehensible. Maybe I should have included FISA in my poll, but polls suggest most folks aren’t following this — or don’t care. :-/
There is too much allowance of religion to infiltrate the government. Congress is allowing Bush to use his personal religion in his government position as an influence.
The church and the state are separate, and religion is imagination and fantasy and gods are make-believe and being imployed in our scientific/realistic government.
Bush is allowed to break the law. The lawmakers/the congress are a joke if laws mean nothing and are not enforced.
I think it is a meaningless statistic. I’m fairly certain that the public perception of Congress has never been in the upper 50th percentile. There is an old saying which is applicable. Voters hate Congress but love their member of Congress (both Senators and Representatives). That is why over the last 50 years 98% of incumbents are reelected. (Sorry, can’t find my source but it is from the book published every two years by the Congressional Printing Office.)
Hi, George: I had not thought about church-state issues as being a factor. Thanks!
Hi, Gary:
Yes, public perception of Congress (like the Presidency) soared post-9-11. Upper digits (80s, 90s?).
I’ve heard your observation about loving local but hating everyone else. It’s the justificaion of earmarks.
The re-election rate has more to do with the advantages of incumbency (8-9% points at the polls, IIRC) than loving your Senator or Representative, I think.
I’m sure that for the “left”, the fact that congress has not gotten us out of Iraq is a factor in the approval ratings. However, in the overall picture, the fact is that the preoccupation, even obsession, with destroying President Bush has rendered this congress the most insignificant, incompetent and irrelevant congress in history. They have “spent their capital”, squandered their opportunity and exposed their lack of touch with the American people, all for their 15 seconds of “shame”. They are the biggest waste in my lifetime, if not in the history of this nation. Next election we need to vote character and integrity over charisma and promises.
Hi, Roger … I agree that character should trump charisma … but on that scorecard the Rs aren’t looking so good as a party right now. Hopefully, most people vote their conscience, not a party line … but polls also show that most folks think *their* congress-critters are OK, that it’s the “other guy” who is corrupt or who should be tossed out.
Also, I don’t think it’s fair to criticize the House (which has moved bills out) because the Senate is paralyzed with R filibuster.
I haven’t decided if the Senate support for Iraq is party-line, knee-jerk support for Bush … if the Ds are ignoring compromise opportunities in order that they can bludgeon Rs in 2008 elections … or what.
:-/
I think the reason why the Dem’s can’t deliver on their promises lies in the Constitution, and the truth. Congress does not control or direct the U.S. Military. That job lies with the Executive branch.
Second, all of the promises of ending the dirty tactics, and the irresponsible pork projects that they are trying to pass with non relevant bills seems hypocritical. As Speaker Pelosi once said…”I think the people have spoken clearly”