Posted by Deb Cupples | Via Memeorandum:
The implication is that Americans disapprove of Democrats -- not surprising, given that Fox reported the results.
Then again, a lot of Americans aren't happy with Congress -- especially progressives who feel that the solidly Democratic-controlled House is failing to come through on progressive goals. I'm not happy with Congress for just that reason, but I still think we have a better shot at getting good things done for taxpayers, consumers and investors than we did back when the Republican controlled Congress steadily deregulated everything it could -- one result being the collapse of our nation's financial system and economy.
Still, the 60% disapproval of Congress that Fox reports isn't all that bad when you look back over time (I mean more than a couple months). In a July 2007, for example, W60% disapproved of Congress and 37% approved.
In July 2008, 71% disapproved of Congress and only 23% approved. That looks like improvement to me.
Incidentally, you can't read congressional approval ratings the same way one reads a president's approval ratings, because Congress usually has lower ratings than a president. Perhaps that's so, in part, because there's only one president -- while congress has 535 people to get mad at.
Even after September 11th, when president Bush had 86% approval, Congress was at 59% approval. (Washington Post/ABC polls) Below are few examples from the Washington Post's polls re: various Congresses under Democrat, Republican, and bipartisan control:
Oct. 2006 31%-32% Oct. 1994 18%-21%
May 2006 33% April 1992 17%
Apr. 2006 35% Oct. 1990 34%
Mar. 1996 30% June 1979 19%
Nov. 1995 27%
Apparently, Congress is perpetually in the dog house with us ordinary Americans -- whichever party has a majority.
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