These charts reflect the results of a recent Public Policy Polling survey -- done between May 6th and 9th of a random national sample of 1,222 registered voters, with a margin of error of 3.2 points.
As the top chart shows, the job approval rating of the current Republican-controlled Congress is still extremely low. There has been no improvement at all. And that disapproval cuts across all political lines -- with Republicans as unhappy with their Congress as Democrats, Independents, and the general public.
Republican congressional leaders don't fare very well in job approval either. Majority Leader McConnell's rating is about as dismal as that of Congress -- and Speaker Ryan's approval is also upside-down (even among Republicans).
Democrats have a golden opportunity to flip the Senate this year -- and maybe even the House.
The obvious questions:
ReplyDeleteAre the people unhappy w/ this specific congress, or with government in general? Do people believe congress can be better? And do people think a Democratic congress would be better?
I don't think for most people that it's government in general. The same poll gave President Obama a 49% approval rating (and 48% disapproval). And Congress has had a much higher rating in the past. I think people are unhappy with the failure of Congress to compromise and get this done for the good of the country. They don't like the political games being played which prevent progress. Would a Democratic Congress be more popular? Other polls show it would only be slightly more popular. The people want a Congress that works, regardless of who is in charge.
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