Democrat-Controlled Congress Gets 9% Approval Rating
July 8th, 2008 at 08:34pm Matt Margolis
Nancy Pelosi’s House and Harry Reid’s Senate have hit an historic low approval rating of single digits,
The percentage of voters who give Congress good or excellent ratings has fallen to single digits for the first time in Rasmussen Reports tracking history. This month, just 9% say Congress is doing a good or excellent job. Most voters (52%) say Congress is doing a poor job, which ties the record high in that dubious category.
Last month, 11% of voters gave the legislature good or excellent ratings. Congress has not received higher than a 15% approval rating since the beginning of 2008.
The percentage of Democrats who give Congress positive ratings fell from 17% last month to 13% this month. The number of Democrats who give Congress a poor rating remained unchanged. Among Republicans, 8% give Congress good or excellent ratings, up just a point from last month. Sixty-five percent (65%) of GOP voters say Congress is doing a poor job, down a single point from last month.
Voters not affiliated with either party are the most critical of Congressional performance. Just 3% of those voters give Congress positive ratings, down from 6% last month. Sixty-three percent (63%) believe Congress is doing a poor job, up from 57% last month.
Just 12% of voters think Congress has passed any legislation to improve life in this country over the past six months. That number has ranged from 11% to 13% throughout 2008. The majority of voters (62%) say Congress has not passed any legislation to improve life in America.
These numbers demonstrate the failure of the Democrats to lead Congress. They came into power promising results and a new era of bipartisanship. Instead, they delivered incompetence and increased partisan bickering, and higher gas prices.
While many are quick to predict increased Democrat majorities in both Houses of Congress, it’s clear that the American people are rejecting the so-called leadership of elected Democrats.
Entry Filed under: Congress, Democrats
35 Comments
1. amused observer | July 8th, 2008 at 8:40 pm
that’s an interesting interpretation. did you keep reading to the generic congressional ballot, where democrats enjoy a double-digit lead over republicans? looks like americans are more upset with the minority party than the majority party.
2. Casper | July 8th, 2008 at 9:11 pm
“Democrats continue to lead Republicans by double-digits in the Rasmussen Reports generic congressional ballot. When given the choice, 47% of voters nationwide would vote for their district’s Democratic candidate, while 34% would choose their Republican candidate.”
Apparently the Republicans are getting the blame for what is happening in congress.
3. neocon | July 8th, 2008 at 9:24 pm
Are you sure about that Casper?
Six weeks ago the Democrats held a 24-point lead over Bush as the stronger leadership force in Washington; today that’s collapsed to a dead heat. The Democrats’ overall job approval rating likewise has dropped, from a 54 percent majority to 44 percent now — with the decline occurring almost exclusively among strong opponents of the Iraq War.
http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/story?id=3242551&page=1
4. Stretchrun | July 8th, 2008 at 9:41 pm
“Instead, they delivered incompetence and increased partisan bickering, and higher gas prices.” July 8th, 2008 at 08:34pm Matt Margolis
Good try Matt, but Americans are not buying yet another con by the cons. They are at such lows because Democrats themselves are placing country above party. We are deeply concerned as to why Pelosi and Reid have done nothing to reign in Bush and Cheney’s Constitutional power grab. The recent FISA compromise with Bush is yet another slap in the face of those who placed them in power. If Pelosi and Reid don’t want to defend the Constitution in these trying times they should get the hell out of the way.
If they represented me, I would vote for whoever Democrat ran against them in the primary. But then again if they won the primary, I would vote never for for the Repug.
5. neocon | July 8th, 2008 at 9:51 pm
“We are deeply concerned as to why Pelosi and Reid have done nothing to reign in Bush and Cheney’s Constitutional power grab.” - Stretchrun
Could it be because it’s non-existent?
I would think that the lie they told you about withdrawing from Iraq would sting the most. So much deception, so little accomplished. Thanks Harry and Nancy.
peace, neocon
6. Casper | July 8th, 2008 at 11:05 pm
neocon,
Just quoting the same poll Matt used.
7. phnx | July 9th, 2008 at 12:58 am
66% of American now believe we should drill for oil in the US (including off shore and in Anwar). Nancy Pelosi, afraid that the republicans would force a vote on drilling and the dems might have some renegades going off the reservation and actually voting for drilling in Anwar. So Nancy has tabled discussion on an energy bill. The dem leadership is afraid that if the American public really learns that they don’t want to work on energy independence, they will lose big time in the fall.
Come on dems run on who you really are not who you want the masses to believe you are.
8. Kahn | July 9th, 2008 at 1:46 am
Hah! The liberals aren’t liberal enough and thats why people don’t like them!
THE FLOGGINGS WILL CONTINUE UNTIL MORALE IMPROVES!
9. TampaBayRayz-4-evah-don't-mess | July 9th, 2008 at 1:58 am
Stretchrun is on point. Real Democrats did not want Pelosi and Reid. They wanted Frost and Dodd.
Right now, if I were a Repubican, I’d worry less about the presidential election because Obama has it pretty well sewn up. I’d focus on keeping the Democratic majorities in the House small and doing whatever possible behind the scenes to keep Pelosi and Reid on as Democratic leaders.
Obama will be faced with a very tough choice. The same choice that Reagan and Clinton faced. I think he’s jammed up with continuing wars in Iraq and Afghanistan at present levels. That kind of ties his hands fiscally.
The question is whether he wants to be a monetary conservative or try to grow his way out of the defecit by throwing more gasoline on both the fiscal and monetary fires.
Neither options are good. Whatever he does will bring about strong Republican gains in the ‘10 midterm. If he commits to looseness he’ll have flat growth, high inflation, high unemployment and an even weaker dollar. If he tries to offset the war spending with fiscal cuts and new taxes plus commits to a stronger dollar, he’ll have a recession, huge unemployment, but a stronger dollar and perhaps a way out. But he’d still need world markets to be wanting to lend USD not borrow them.
He’ll probably need Reid and Pelosi to sell either for him. The stimulus will be presented as a “Democratic” version of George W. Bush’s policies, the tightness will be sold as a continuation of the policies of Reagan, Bush Sr and Clinton. Reid and Pelosi can sell either of them either way.
The problem comes with the ‘10 Republican rout. Then you get Speaker Wexler, Majority leader McDermott, Minority Leader Clinton or Leahy and the sales job will be making Reagan, Bush Sr and Clinton’s approach palatable to a suffering middle-class.
A SMART Republican strategist ought to be licking his or her chops rather than worrying about such trivia as whether to drill off of Florida or not.
10. Fredrick Schwartz | July 9th, 2008 at 5:02 am
In our in house polling the chief reasons for the anti-Congress sentiment are “failure to Impeach Bush, Cheney or both,”[53%] “there are too many Republicans sill in Congress,” [22%] and “appeasement of a unitary executive branch.” [16%]
11. Magnum Serpentine | July 9th, 2008 at 7:28 am
Good poll Fredrick.
The republic party still can’t understand that while congress has a 9 percent approval rating, the citizens of this nation blame the obstructionist republic party for high gas, and a do nothing situation in congress. The Citizens took note when one republic obstructionist demanded a bill be read in full and it took 5 hours of reading to do it in. this was a little baby spat that the republic threw. and the citizens hate it. They hate it when the republics demand a vote every 30 seconds they hate it when the republics demand a law be read that takes 5 hours to read, the citizens hate the obstructionist slow down policy of the republic party in congress, they hate the total obstructionist platform of the republic party.
poll after poll shows that the citizens want the Democratic party to be in charge. not the obstructionist baby republic party.
12. Kahn | July 9th, 2008 at 9:36 am
TampaBay - you mean “special deal from the home loan industry Dodd?” OK
Magnum - WE are responsuble for high gas prices?????? Not just here note, but all over the world? Yah sure.
Meanwhile YOUR party wants no new drilling, is stopping rigs in the Gulf from being repaired, is against solar projects, has made wind projects very hard to do, has all but stopped forever any new hydro projects, and is dead set against nuclear energy.
So what is your great plan? Magic?
13. TampaBayRayz-4-evah-don't-mess | July 9th, 2008 at 9:58 am
Kahn: Is there a clean politician? If so, I’d like to know whom that was or is? When I was a Democrat, I preferred Dodd to Reid.
I think many factors have contributed to high gas prices, the US committing to indefinite war in the Middle-East is one of those factors. But for whatever the reason, the world economy finds itself balancing with the USD and Chinese and Saudi central banks in one cup of the scale and every other asset, hard, soft, tangible, financial, and even wasting assets to be a better store of value than the USD.
I think that if there’s a will in Congress to suspend off-shore drilling rules to allow the practice once again, every oil company in the world should get involved in a a big way. That’s what the Schwartz-Brennan model would predict, anyway. Oil companies tend to be undervalued because investors do not take into account the embedded optionalities in the right to abandon or re-start exploration and production.
But if the leasing comes down to any sort of auction, you can expect companies like BP, Total and Petrobras to get the lion’s share.
So, by allowing off-shore drilling you are merely giving other countries even more say over the USA’s crude production. If you don’t have a problem with the EU or MERCOSUR than that’s fine.
But it wasn’t any sort of free market that crippled US industry. Chile, for example, found a way to get copper into the UN cheaper than Asarco could mine and process it, so Asarco took a subsidy not to mine. This same shit happened with steel. It also happened in sugar because ADM was paid to develop high-fructose corn syrup.
Just what kind of communist country do you live in anyway?
14. Magnum Serpentine | July 9th, 2008 at 10:20 am
Khan,
My plan is for the obstructionist republic party to stop demanding a vote every 30 seconds, stop having the full bill read in congress (Especially if it takes 5 hours to read) and for the Obstructionist republics to stop walking out of congress every 30 seconds when things do not go the way the republics want it to go for them. My Plan is for the obstructionist republic party to stop this slow down tactic because the only one its hurting is the republics.
Oil drilling? Yes thats a good thing, if only the big wig United States oil companies would drill on the land we gave them to drill on. Experts say there are billions of oil on land that the big wig oil companies already control. The problem is that big wig oil refuses to drill because it would lower gas prices. Thats also why big wig oil is not building any refineries again it would lower gas prices and big wig oil likes gouging the citizens. A trillion dollar company can afford to build a billion dollar refineries. But if they refuse there is nothing we can do except nationalize them and build the refineries ourselves.
15. Kahn | July 9th, 2008 at 12:18 pm
Ah, the drill on the leases argument. Not much oil there. See, that’s the thing. Cancel the leases then as threatened. It won’t make a difference.
There is shale oil in the Rockies. Oil in Alaska. Oil of both the east and west coasts. And oil in the eastern gulf. ALL off limits.
Canada has mobile refineries that could be set up on an abandoned U.S. military base. Think it will happen?
No new nuclear. New opposition to solar. No Hydro. And Ted Kennedy NIMBY restrictions on ALL new wind projects.
As to Iraq. All the Democrats have to do is not have a funding bill. No bill, can’t be vetoed. Easy.
What about Social Security? Thwarted OUR proposal and replaced it with what? NOTHING.
What about all those judge appointments you refuse to let come to the floor?
When the agenda on the floor is controlled by an obstinate and cynical group like the current leadership, the opposition party has few options available. We use them, as you did. Welcome to parliamentarian procedures 101.
16. Danish Artist | July 9th, 2008 at 12:26 pm
Magnum Stupidity,
The obstructionist republic party?
Uh, where were you when the Democrats did the exact same thing and more? AND, at the same time declare that it is preserving the rights of the minority party!
So after setting the precedent of “preserving the rights of the minority party”, the Democrats, who are trying to ramrod through unfair and extreme legislation, are getting a dose of their own medicine.
Uh, I did not see you complaining when the Democrats were the obstructionists, demanding cloture on votes that Constitutionaly only required a simple majority.
And, still you make the same assinine claim of “big oil” not drilling on land they own and still providing no proof to the accuracy of the statement. You have to provide proof that 1) they own the land, 2) there is oil below it, 3) they are not drilling because of some restriction or moratorium that is in place and repeat the same actions for the non-building of refineries.
Big oil likes gouging the citizens…..blah, blah, blah. While you are at it provide proof of price gouging. Provide proof that the price of gasoline has nothing to do with the price and supply of oil and nothing to do with the limited supply of gasoline from already maxed-out refineries.
Note: refineries at 85% of capacity are condidered at full output, due to outages, maintenance, disruptions etc. etc. Plus, 100% capacity is only theoretical and never achieved.
17. ho-hum | July 9th, 2008 at 1:30 pm
Here’s the bad news for rightwingers: voters don’t vote for ‘congress’, they vote for candidates. The fact that congress is unpopular right now has much to do with the fact that the dems don’t have a fillibuster proof majority in the senate, thus the public is frustrated by the fact that they can’t fully legislate to their agenda. The bottom line is that ALL the polling indicates massive gains by the dems in both the House and Senate in November, even the head of the republican national committee has admitted this. It must suck to be a republican right now. But then, it always does. ;)
18. js | July 9th, 2008 at 1:33 pm
hogwash.
19. js | July 9th, 2008 at 1:36 pm
its pretty basic….
the demoncrats want to tax the rich…which means less jobs…no pay increases…and higher prices to consumers…
if the only reason they have for not being popular was that the republicans wont let them increase taxes…then its just fine to be a republican…and being a demoncrat is not much highter than being an ignorant halfwit.
20. phnx | July 9th, 2008 at 1:41 pm
Geee whizz it sounds like those Republics, who ever they are, are really in trouble. Meanwhile the Dumocrats led by their messiah, promise to save us from ourselves, and teach us a foreign language at the same time.
21. Richard W. Lambert | July 9th, 2008 at 3:53 pm
Danish Artist: And, still you make the same assinine claim of “big oil” not drilling on land they own and still providing no proof to the accuracy of the statement. You have to provide proof that 1) they own the land, 2) there is oil below it, 3) they are not drilling because of some restriction or moratorium that is in place and repeat the same actions for the non-building of refineries.
As it is in most cases, the truth is more complicated than the congresscritters on either side typically acknowledge. The oil companies do already have leases on about 90 million sq acres, of which about 70 million have not been explored. Why? For lots of reasons. One is, they are mostly deep water areas which are very expensive to explore. Another is that neither the manpower or the equipment is available. Yet another is that they’re hoping shallower areas currently off limits will become available. Unfortunately, those shallower areas are almost always much closer to shore. Thus, even if the federal moratorium is lifted, local opposition is likely to be strenuous in most places. For example see this:
http://money.cnn.com/2008/06/23/news/economy/oil_drilling/index.htm?cnn=yes
Obviously that’s just one article. But I’d say it’s a pretty good summary of other things I’ve read. And it’s pretty clear that both sides are being rather dishonest about the situation. The Dems are dishonest in their claims that the oil companies are sitting on their hands. The Reps are dishonest in their claims that lifting the federal moratorium will greatly change things — at least in the short term, and probably never. Even McCain has acknowledged that.
22. Magnum Serpentine | July 9th, 2008 at 4:02 pm
DA,
During a congressional investigation into big wig fat profit oil, it was disclosed that big wig oil is sitting on the land and keeping anyone from drilling on it.
So, you say that when the republics demand a bill that would take 5 hours to be read, is not obstructionism? I say its obstructionism in the worse way. The citizens are watching and they say that while congress is not doing a good job (Due to the republic obstructionism) that they favor Democratic party over the republic party.
“Bomb Bomb Bomb, Bomb Bomb Iran” McCain 2007
23. js | July 9th, 2008 at 4:17 pm
its ridiculous…
democrat leadership has yet to field a solution to the gas crisis…thats going on right now…and the lemmings blame the republicans for obstructionism….what a pile of poop that is….with the mentality of the democrat leadership…they intentionally ignore the people business in order to flagrantly blame the republicans for obstructionism….they are playing childish games while the economy crashes around them…..pretty much every bill that they have put forward of any merrit comes attached to pork and tax increases…which is essentially what they know will not pass…and its been that way for 2 years +….i mean…look at it…even the housing crash…they are doing nothing for the people….its a do nothing congress and the jokes on us folks…they made promises that they would do something and thats why they were able to sieze power in both houses…but they have not done a thing….
and then….the fact that the DNC’s finest met with the oil barons and let them walk away unscathed is a demonstration of colusion…or worse yet…ignorance…that whole charade did nothing to protect americans from the economic war that is being waged with our bank accounts by big oil…impeach these fools for breach of confidence!!…unless you actually think you can afford 15 bucks a pound for hamburger….
24. David B. Schmidt | July 9th, 2008 at 5:05 pm
Yesterday…
In 2006, everything was different…
2006 Democratic Promises;
1. Restore civility & bi-partisanship
2. Most ethical congress in history
3. New direction in Iraq/Work with the president.
What we got;
1. 400 partisan investigations
2. Murtha, Alcee Hastings, Jefferson, Mollohan among others
3. 60 votes to tie the hands of President Bush and try to kill the surge before it could work.
At least Pelosi was able to get the House cafeteria to change it menu. But then I believe it promptly folded.
And of course – let’s not forget add her 2006 campaign promise that the “Democrats have a commonsense plan to help bring down skyrocketing gas prices”…price then was about $2.33 per gallon…now it is over $4.
Wonder if they can get negative ratings—only place left to go.
25. Kahn | July 10th, 2008 at 1:25 am
You know what is freakin’ hilarious? Obama voted for the new FISA bill, and McCain didn’t! He missed the vote!
So Obama VOTED to protect the phone companies from law suits for helping catch people who want to kill us. OohRah.
So I hear there’s a direct link from the Daily KOS to the tranquilizer order form at an on-line Canadian pharmacy now.
26. JustAnotherTaxpayer | July 10th, 2008 at 1:55 am
See what the lamo dems get for not standing up to Bush?
27. Jeremiah | July 10th, 2008 at 2:07 am
27. JustAnotherTaxpayer | July 10th, 2008 at 1:55 am
What should they do, JAT?
Should they support the safety of America?
Or, allow terrorist to communicate with their Islamic counterparts here in the US?
President Bush done what was right, but Americans should not be surprised or fooled by Barack Obama’s supporting of this bill…it’s just another pander tactic…..he’s becoming more and more desperate by the day.
28. JustAnotherTaxpayer | July 10th, 2008 at 3:45 am
Interesting,
According to Gallup, overall 70% of Americans feel the Prez needs congressional approval to begin bombing suspected terrorists, and 79% to send Armed forces into harms way.
Even among repubs, the ratio infavor of action without congressional approval rises to only 34% in favor with 62% against. (Ed. Note: Off topic part of comment deleted)
29. Danish Artist | July 10th, 2008 at 6:13 am
Magnum stupidity,
1) Again, with the claim and no proof?
Obviously, you are a lemming incapable of independent thought and cannot rise above the regurgitation of liberal talking points.
2) Again, where were you when the Democrats obstructed in an unconstitutional way. Demanding a cloture vote (66% or more), where a simple majority (51% or more) is Constitutionally required?
Oh, that’s right. You lemming was again regurgitating the “rights of the minority party”. Well, Mr Stupidity, you are getting exactly what you and your party started.
Historically, reading a bill in its entirety was a true form of filibustering. As long as the filibustering party held the floor, there would be no vote to pass the bill. Today, the liberal Democrat cowards imposed a cloture vote. Debate will continue until a super-majority is established to end debate and start the voting for bill passage. So now, Constitutionally mandated simple majority now takes a super-majority without amending the Constitution. Another liberal way around that inconvenient Constitution. Talk about taking the cowardly way out.
Thwarting liberalism is not obstruction but upholding the Constitution.
Now again. Stop regurgitating talking points and provide proof of your assinine claims. Otherwise, go away and continue to stalk teenagers.
30. Tractatus | July 10th, 2008 at 11:12 am
Thwarting liberalism is not obstruction but upholding the Constitution.
Stop regurgitating talking points and provide proof of your assinine claims.
Can he do it? Smart money says he can’t.
31. '08ama | July 10th, 2008 at 12:52 pm
Wow, only 9% really ?
George Bush only DREAMS he could have approval ratings like that.
32. Danish Artist | July 10th, 2008 at 1:23 pm
Taxpayers for Common Sense has really shed some light on the productivity of our 110th Congress. Don’t worry though, I’m sure that your Representatives and Senators are the exception and have been working extremely hard to bring home the pork projects to your district … it’s just all the OTHER people in Congress that are the problem.
As of the July 4th holiday, this Congress, under DEMOCRAT leadership, has only passed 260 laws. That is the least amount of productivity in over three decades. And of these 260 laws that have been passed, 74 of them have been dedicated to the all important job of …… NAMING POST OFFICES. The other 148 laws are considered “substantive.” This term is used for far more important laws like requiring that the American flag be flown on Father’s Day.
Now the DEMOCRAT lead Congress also passes what are known as non-binding resolutions. Taxpayers for Common Sense has highlighted some of its favorites:
1) Recognizing soil as an essential natural resource, and soils professionals as playing a critical role in managing our Nation’s soil resources
2) Designating July 2007 as “National Watermelon Month”
3) Congratulating the men’s volleyball team of the University of California, Irvine, for winning the 2007 NCAA Division I Men’s Volleyball National Championship
4) Recognizing the 70th anniversary of the Idaho Potato Commission and designating May 2007 as “Idaho Potato Month”
5) Expressing support for designation of June 30 as “National Corvette Day”.
When it comes to our presumptive presidential candidates … they, too, are no exceptions. Barack Obama worked to pass a resolution to congratulation the Chicago White Sox for winning the World Series in 2005. And John McCain co-sponsored a resolution to congratulate the University of Arizona Wildcats for winning the 2007 NCAA Division I Softball Championship.
This is your government at work, ladies and gentlemen. And you wonder why nothing ever really seems to get done up in Washington. It seems like they are busy taking care of more important matters … like honoring the birth of Jamie Lynn Spears’ baby or something.
Then again — maybe we’re better off the less they do - about the only “good” thing that DEMOCRAT leadership has done.
—–
I agree Tractatus, Magnum Stupidy can’t stop regurgitating the liberal talking points. (I’m sure you meant to say that I could not, but then again, you were educated in a government school and your writing and “thinking” skills reflect that).
08ama or more accurately Obamaton, you are aware that 24% is greater than 9%. Your liberal leadership, with their non-binding resolutions, renaming Post Offices and other “feel good” BS, which is a waste of tax-payers money, are responsible for their failure to deliver on their promises from ‘06. Their failures are a result of NOT EVEN PROPOSING said promised legislation and has nothing to do so-called obstruction, which your collective, brain-sharing, Obamatons have claimed.
33. JustAnotherTaxpayer | July 10th, 2008 at 7:07 pm
Jeremiah,
The terrorists don’t need to throw bombs anymore. All they need to do is threaten to cut production, as in the case of Quaddafi, or launch a missile as in the case of Iran proving that any move taken against them will be met with a “significant” response, that rules out a clean Osirek type strike which the Isrealis understandably want to deal out.
Bush has made that impossible, and created a situation where the buisness of terrorism is now walking hand in hand with the terror of buisiness.
Oil closed at 141 a barrel, and Iran has more missiles!
Have a nice day!!
PS Don’t look for any help from the Iraqis who now want us to leave.
34. Tractatus | July 10th, 2008 at 9:44 pm
I’m sure you meant to say that I could not, but then again, you were educated in a government school and your writing and “thinking” skills reflect that
Smart money wins again. What a shocker.
Anyway, if you need me to dumb something down, just say so. It’s better than lashing out at my education just because you fail to comprehend a simple juxtaposition.
35. buy a foreclosed house&hellip | August 28th, 2008 at 2:15 pm
buy a foreclosed house
Can baseball institute a hard money slot? Don\’t other sports, with less of an anti- trust exemption, do that? Seems to me that many teams (not named Yankees) would like that. / p Posted by: rbj at August 11, 2008 12: