Congress unpopular; Dems popular

July 20, 2007

In recent months, approval ratings for Congress have dipped to surprising lows. Indeed, in some polls, Congress’ popularity is lower than the president’s, and while historically that’s not unusual, considering Bush’s abysmal public standing, it’s hardly reassuring for folks on the Hill.

The typical rejoinder from our friends on the right is that Congress’ falling support is a rebuke of the Democrats. Dems won back both chambers, raised expectations, but haven’t delivered, the theory goes. Depending on which conservative you talk to, it’s because Dems overreached, or are too liberal, or are pushing an unpopular agenda, or are incompetent. Take your pick.

The New York Times released a new poll (.pdf) today that should, at first glance, reinforce the right’s perceptions about public opinion. Congress’ approval rating is stuck at an embarrassing 29% — the same as Bush.

But that’s not the whole story.

In general, is your opinion of the Republican Party favorable or not favorable?
Favorable 38%, Unfavorable 56%, Don’t Know 5%

In general, is your opinion of the Democratic party favorable or not favorable?
Favorable 52%, Unfavorable 41%, Don’t Know 7%

People are disappointed that Dems haven’t been able to deliver more — because of GOP obstructionism — but for all the talk about how unpopular Congress is, Dems are still quite popular and Republicans aren’t. Americans in general may be less than thrilled with Congress as an institution, but that’s hardly the repudiation of Dems that conservatives tend to suggest.

The same was true in the most recent CNN poll (.pdf).

The Republican Party
Favorable 36%, Unfavorable 53%, Never Heard of 1%, No Opinion 9%

The Democratic Party
Favorable 51%, Unfavorable 38%, Never Heard of 1%, No Opinion 9%

No, I don’t understand the 1% of Americans who’ve never heard of the two major parties either, but that’s not important right now.

The point is, all the recent emphasis on the lack of progress in Congress isn’t hurting the Dems a bit. Republicans are still unpopular, Bush is wildly unpopular, and Dems, at least for now, are in good shape.

it’s hardly reassuring for folks on the Hill.

carpet, you aren’t the only one falling for this crap (in fact, some in Congress themselves have incredibly short memories about this), but you give me the perfect opportunity to remind everyone that for decades, Congress has had up and down, mostly down, ratings in these types of polls and that there is no proven connection between how badly the majority party fairs in these types of generic polls abourt Congress’ standing and how individual Senators and Congresscritters do in their own states and districts.

I don’t know if there is a term for this, but to me, it’s a form of reverse NIMBY. These polls always show people saying “I hate YOUR congressman!” And then, when it comes times to vote, these same people end up voting “I love MY OWN congressman.”

Please, I beg you, all of you, quit paying any attention to the “Congress’ Low Polls” game. It’s a waste of time and it’s wrong. Arghh.

  • And yes, I know you weren’t really arguing against that, so my apologies for using your thread to take off on that.

    It’s just so frustrating to see so many people with zero memory.

    If Congress went to zero percent approval, I’d not lose a moment’s sleep. Since you cannot vote for my Senators and I cannot vote for yours, it makes no difference what these polls say.

  • If people feel their getting the status quo and Congress is polling low, that tells me that America is starving for change – radical, goddam change right freakin’ now. If I were a Rethug, I’d fear the next election cycle even more. However, I’d still like to see the Dems make any obstructionist to truly compassionate, liberating, peacekeeping, and life-saving legislation take to the floor and personally filibuster and make hours of speeches on why they oppose compassion, liberty, and peace for their fellow American.

  • Nash has a good point, I hope we can see some national data which asks people how they feel about their own congresscritters.

  • “The point is, all the recent emphasis on the lack of progress in Congress isn’t hurting the Dems a bit. Republicans are still unpopular, Bush is wildly unpopular, and Dems, at least for now, are in good shape”

    If its not hurting the Dems than explain this to me, CB: Since November, the Dems’ favorable ratings have dropped 2 pct points matching the GOP’s drop. Moreover, the Dems Unfavorable rating climbed 3 pct vs. the GOPs 1 pct point increase.

    So,perhaps the drop in the Congressional approval rating can’t be simply pinned on the GOP “obstructionism” but is also might a product of the frustation that the Congressional Dems can’t figure out a way to compromise with the GOP.

  • Nash is right it’s always been the inverse NIMBY in re individual congresscritters. Get rid of pork barrel spending and it would not be so. Cb, thanks for posting these polls, I knew the country wasn’t as mad at the Dems as they were at Rep obstructionism to very popular legislation.

    And while you are questioning the 1% who never heard of either party, I’m questioning why any polster would ask if anyone had never heard of either LOL. Seems to me that’s like asking if the sky is blue or if gravity exists.

    And I’m with Heraclitus, now is the time for the Dems to make bold progressive type moves. Stand up every day with a new bill the majority of the populace agrees with, and make the Reps filibuster it, or defend a Presidential veto. Make them bastids own their party, their votes, their obstructionist habits, and their own petty and horrible stances.

    Dems need to play to win, not play not to lose. In other words it takes visionary leadership, not quiet pandering or appeasement.

  • The typical rejoinder from our friends on the right is that Congress’ falling support is a rebuke of the Democrats.

    Again, that is pure bs. Falling support for “Congress” is irrelevant.

    To an overwhelming degree, the largest factor in congressional elections is incumbency.

    It takes no degree in divination to see that current events and trends mean that in the 2008 elections, the Democratic Party will pick up seats in both houses of Congress. But a vast majority of incumbents of both parties who run will be returned to office, because incumbency will only be slightly nicked by these trends, not overcome.

    It really isn’t complicated. More incumbents will win than lose in each party, yet the Democratic Party will pick up seats, and whether Congressional approval ratings are 70% or 7% now or in Nov 2008 won’t matter a rat’s ass worth.

    Again, you don’t vote for my congresscritters and I don’t vote for yours. So telling Ms. Pollster that you hate Congress doesn’t equate to turning Congressional seats over en masse. Never has.

  • I would have voted disapproval, too, since I want impeachment on the table. In fact I want it on the front burner. But I wouldn’t be too optimistic if I were a Republican.

  • […] a product of the frustation that the Congressional Dems can’t figure out a way to compromise with the GOP. — JRSJr, @5

    Alternatively — and that would be my reason for low-grading Congress — people are frustrated with Dem’s inability to show some resolve and stomp on the Repubs’ obstructionism. IOW, trying to compromise has been going on two long without paying a single dividend, so it’s time to “change the course”.

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