Gallup: Americans Widely Disappointed With Democrats in Congress

[ProSense]

November 14, 2007

Americans Widely Disappointed With Democrats in Congress

Majority more displeased than content with handling of seven

by Lydia Saad

PRINCETON, NJ -- Amidst a swirl of public dissatisfaction about the Iraq war, the economy, government corruption, and with President Bush more generally, Americans went to the polls in November 2006 and voted enough Republicans out of office to give the Democrats majority control of Congress. A year later, Americans are as negative about the job Congress is doing as they were leading up to the 2006 midterm elections. And according to recent Gallup polling, Americans are distinctly negative about the Democrats’ handling of several front-burner policy issues.

The latest Gallup Panel survey, conducted Oct. 25-28, 2007, asked Americans to say whether they are “pleased,” “neutral,” “disappointed,” or “angry” about the way the Democrats in Congress have been dealing with seven major issues confronting the nation.

Overall, relatively few Americans are pleased with the Democrats’ performance on any of them. This ranges from 7% for the federal budget deficit to 17% for terrorism. Between 12% and 26% say they are angry about the issues. However, most Americans fall in between, with the plurality generally saying they are disappointed with congressional Democrats’ performance on each.


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Another way to consider the findings is to combine the percentages saying they are pleased or neutral (two categories that essentially validate the Democrats’ performance) and contrast these with the percentages saying they are disappointed or angry (two clearly negative categories). According to this summary, Democrats receive their best ratings on terrorism and their worst on Iraq and immigration.

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As you may know, the Democratic Party gained majority control of Congress in January. How do you feel about the job the Democrats in Congress are doing on each of the following issues -- pleased, neutral, disappointed, or angry?
Oct. 25-28, 2007

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Summary of Public Reaction to Handling of Issues
by Democrats in Congress
Based on national adults
Oct. 25-28, 2007
...........................Pleased/.....Disappointed/......Net Pleased/
...........................Neutral.......Angry.................Neutral

Terrorism.................52%............47%..................5
The economy............47%............53%................-6
Government reform....45%............55%...............-10
Healthcare...............40%............60%...............-20
The federal budget
deficit.....................39%............60%...............-21
Immigration..............35%............65%...............-30
Iraq........................31%............68%...............-37

[magellan]

1. For those with eyes to see and ears to hear

k&r

[Emillereid]

2. What concerns me is how this disappointment is going to translate in the

2008 election. I have met many people who worked hard to get these wimps elected and now are resigned and pessimistic about bothering with the democrats anymore. The comments I most hear go something like: "What's the use?" or "Why bother - they're all corporate whores." They have squandered an enormous amount of good-will and hope. A lot of (progressive) people I fear will simply not show up at the polls -- especially if we offer them a hawk like Clinton.

[ejbr]

5. Also, progressives might not show up

if they refuse to impeach. Pelosi is so concerned about turning off people who would never vote Democratic that she is missing the real threat.

[bryant69]

6. If Clinton gets the nomination it will be hard times

Because it will depress the Democratic base and enliven the Republican base. On the other hand, it's unclear how the mass of American voters will translate their disdain for congress. Certainly any Democratic Candidate, including Clinton, is going to be running against Bush as much as against her or his opponent.

Bryant
Check it out --> http://politicalcomment.blogspot.com

[bdamomma]

9. those comments you hear, is just what the repigs want to hear

and watch out they will seek in again in 2008.

[katsy]

3. I'm confused.

Regarding the pleased and disappointed percentages when asked about terrorism: How can one interpret this? 47% are angry... about what? That we haven't had another attack, or that Muslims aren't interred, or that terrorism is a bogus concept, or personal loss of civil rights? Are they angry because they are terrified? How does that fit this kind of poll?

I don't see how such a concept can fit into that list at all. The rest I can understand because they fit into political policy making and are measureable to some extent.

Educate me.

[nadinbrzezinski]

4. 2008 will be a redux of 1988

after all they failed back then too...

Lee Hamilton didn't want to rock the boat just as Madamne Speaker refuses to rock the boat.

Tell me, who was the president who was sworn in? It wasn't a Dem, that's for sure.

[sinkingfeeling]

7. Why does this poll strike me as stupid? Do Americans really believe that all those

problems were going to be resolved in the first 10 months that the Dems held a slight majority? Where were these pollsters at 2 years ago? What were the results? There aren't enough details here to explain anything other than people are unhappy that these issues haven't been addressed for the last 7 years.

[bdamomma]

8. the Repigs are probably so happy about this.

and they will keep on smearing the Dems (what we should not be doing) and they will keep on smearing until they get the momentum again, think about it, we could be causing alot of harm, but no way in hell will I ever vote for a repig.

[nadinbrzezinski]

12. Tell me has the congress confronted this president

If they started impeachment hearings tomorrow... that will turn the tide

They don't, it is not the repigs doing it, but the leadership

[ProSense]

14. No doubt polling showing displeasure with Democrats will be fodder for the Repubs, but

what's interesting is that these numbers are understandable. The curious thing is that if you compare them (which the RW will not) to the polls showing Congress' approval ratings at all-time lows, one has to wonder how Americans feel about Repubs? Maybe Gallup will do that poll next!

[book_worm]

10. Dems better change tactics and really start opposing Bush on the war

and nearly everything or else they might end up on the losing end in '08.

[bdamomma]

11. don't they realize if they (Congress) was on our side, they would

be getting donations for standing up and doing the right thing. No such thing as common sense for these Senators or Reps.

[NightWatcher]

13. this story to be filed under "duh"

[treestar]

15. Useless unless we know why

Is it because they are not giving the Decider what he wants, or because they are not impeaching the Decider. They can't stop his war alone, either. Or maybe they should have elected more Democrats so the majority would have been solider. Are the voters such immature brats?