Public Wants Congresspersons Who Will Compromise

The Republican Congress is proud of itself for passing tax reform and avoiding a government shutdown (at least for now). But while they may be proud of their performance, the American public is not. Only 12% of the population approves of the job Congress is doing -- and that includes all groups (including Republicans, whose approval rests at a dismal 25%).

The people know that much should have been done that wasn't -- things that would make life better for all Americans. They also know that a better tax reform plan could have been achieved. But what they've seen is a Congress that cannot peel itself away from party ideology -- a Congress that has no ability (or desire) to compromise for the good of the country.

Instead, they've seen Republicans try to totally shut Democrats out and refuse to compromise. Those Republicans think they can pass what they want ideologically, and it doesn't matter what the majority of Americans want.

But if they keep on that track, they are going to find themselves losing control of Congress next November (perhaps both houses). As the second chart shows, the public doesn't want a ideology forced on the country. They want elected official who can and will compromise to solve the nation's problems. That's the opinion of two-thirds of 66% of the public (and 68% of registered voters), while only about a third disagree.

And surprisingly, that is also the opinion of 58% of Republicans (along with 65% of Independents and 75% of Democrats). A significant majority of voters in all three political divisions want our elected officials to stop the fighting and compromise -- like Congress used to be able to do. The GOP's refusal to even consider compromise is making the public angry, and is likely helping to build a political wave that sweeps them out of power.

If they were smart, they would open the process up for debate and compromise. But I don't think they are very smart.

These charts are from a recent Economist / YouGov Poll -- done between December 17th and 19th of a random national sample of 1,500 adults (including 1,291 registered voters). The margin of error is 3.1 points for adults and 2.8 points for registered voters.