Poll: Congress is as unpopular as the president

The Associated Press

Hand-in-hand in the nation's heart.

Featured Topic | Posted 23 weeks 6 days ago

Poll: Congress is as unpopular as the president

It's hard to believe that any politician could be more unpopular than President Bush: The new AP poll puts his approval rating at 30 percent. But Congress does worse -- only 22 percent of Americans approve of its performance.

Why are Americans so discontented with our leaders? What can be done to make them content?

Ben likes: Republican rebound

Ed Morrisey/Captain's Quarters

The past year gave voters a good look at the Democratic primary challengers, a thoroughly inexperienced lot. Given that the three Democrats with any chance of winning the nomination comprise less experience in national office combined than John McCain and no executive experience at all, some disenchantment may have set in with voters. It certainly doesn't give Democrats a reason to think that they have momentum for a general election -- in fact, this survey shows the opposite.

After losing their first national election in four cycles in 2006, it looks like Republicans could rebound in 2008. They have the momentum, and they have closed the gap almost to where it was in November 2004. A few more months of Democratic incompetence in Congress could close the gap altogether.

Joel likes: Why is the Democratic Congress so unpopular?

Glenn Greenwald/Salon

Congress is so unpopular, particularly among Democrats, because of their ongoing capitulations to the Bush administration, their failure to place any limits on his Iraq policy, and their general inability/refusal to serve as a meaningful check on the administration. Democrats and independents overwhelmingly dislike the President. Thus, the weaker Congress is in defying the President, the more unpopular Congress becomes.

Contrary to the general impression created by the media when discussing this polling data, Congress' extremely low standing does not undermine or dilute the intense unpopularity of Bush and his party among Americans. To the contrary, it bolsters it and arises from it.