by Mark Silva
So, fewer than one third of Americans surveyed approve of the job that Congress is doing.
And that's the good news for Congress.
Because the 31 percent approval rating registered for Congress in a Gallup Poll run Feb. 9-12 marks a doubling of public approval since last summer - it had hit a trough of 14 percent in July - and the third-best surge in public approval for the nation's lawmakers since monthly surveys were first taken in 2001.
This would seem to contradict the Republican message that no economic stimulus bill was better than the one that Congress approved Friday - that was Republican Sen. John McCain's message. It's Democrats, generally who are happier with the Congress, according to Gallup. And the Democratic president's approval rating is holding at 64 percent -better than double that of Congress' rating.
"This month's sharp increase largely reflects a more positive Democratic review of Congress,'' Gallup reports. "Since the previous measure from early January, Barack Obama has been inaugurated as president, and now Democrats have party control of both the legislative and the executive branches of the federal government. Democrats' average approval ratings of Congress more than doubled from January (18 percent) to February (43 percent). Independents show a smaller increase, from 17 to 29 percent, while Republicans are now less likely to approve of Congress than they were in January.
"The more positive ratings for Congress among Democrats may also reflect an implicit endorsement of the work Congress has been doing to pass the economic stimulus plan, which had considerable support among rank-and-file Democrats, according to recent Gallup Polls,'' Gallup's Jeffrey Jones notes.
Still, at 31 percent approval, the public's measure of Congress is running somewhat below the average of 35 percent recorded since 1974.
Gallup has been gauging public approval of Congress monthly since January 2001. Since then, the approval rating has only jumped greater than the 12 points recorded this month twice.
The greatest single rally was a 42-point surge in congressional support after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, from 42 percent in a Sept. 7-10, 2001, poll to 84 percent in mid-October 2001. The former president's approval rating also peaked at a record 90 percent in that period. The next-largest jump of 14 points occurred after Democrats took control of both the House and Senate in early 2007.
"In general, Congress' approval ratings tend to be low,'' Jones notes.
"In fact, the current 31 percent score is very near the historical average of 35 percent tin Gallup Polls since 1974. That compares with an average 55 percent approval rating for presidents historically.''
The poll of 1,012 adults conducted Feb. 9-12 carries a possible margin of error of plus or minus three percentage points.
Comments
Is it any wonder newspapers are dying?
We have a US Senator, from Illinois, from Chicago, caught perjuring himself, part of the first-time ever impeachment of an Illinois governor, and The Swamp, part of Chicago's largest newspaper, has written less on this story than on the president's poodles.
Any newspaper that ignores page one stories, just because the story might hurt politicians they support, deserves to go bankrupt.
Posted by: Bruce | February 17, 2009 10:20 AM
Crybaby,
Instead of having "The Swamp" open as your home page, try looking at the cover of the Trib. It has had Burris as it's lead story all morning.
Posted by: Bubba ✔ | February 17, 2009 12:00 PM
Before claiming Burris "committed perjury" at least have the decency to point to the questions and answers you claim constitute the perjury.
Go back and read the Scooter Libby indictment.
Pat Fitzgerald knew how to ask questions, precise questions, and follow up questions to close all the barn doors, windows, and trap doors, through which Scooter Libby could exit.
That performance by Durkin and the other interrogators at that hearing doesn't cut the mustard. The fact is Burris answered Yes regarding the names in the question, and the interrogator failed to follow up.
A first year associate at any insurance defense law firm would have done a better job in making a record.
But, then, what would you expect??
Isn't Durkin the guy the Replicans put up against Dick Durbin in 2002, hoping some voters would confuse his name with Durbin and vote for him instead???
If Durkin is your torpedo, Replicans, I'd say you need to find a new one.
Posted by: ornery | February 17, 2009 12:27 PM
Hey GOP! How is that "Back in the saddle again" video working out for ya? You know, maybe you should try listening to someone other than Rush for your political strategy?
Posted by: The Other Ed | February 17, 2009 12:45 PM
But Bruce, the Swamp has 2 stories (so far) about Sarah Palin. Aren't you thrilled??
Besides, Burris was yesterday's news.
Posted by: mort | February 17, 2009 12:46 PM
Actually, while today's Trib had a notice of the Burris article on the front page, the article was in fact buried in the back of the front section, preceded by (among other items of import) the musings of Obama's chef.
What I said above, nobody can gainsay: more Swamp articles on presidential poodles than Burris's perjury. And this in a blog supposedly about politics. Another fact for the clueless to ponder: the Swamp had 31 articles on some senator from Idaho playing footsie in a men's room, but so far only 3 articles on the perjury of Illinois's own senator (guess which one is the Republican).
Posted by: Bruce | February 17, 2009 1:45 PM
And if polls are considered headline news by the Swamp, how about this poll, Rasmussen's latest (see www.rasmussenreports.com):
"Twenty-six percent (26%) of American voters say the nation is moving in the right direction, while 66% say it is heading down the wrong track, according to the latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey.
The number of voters who think America is moving in the right direction is down slightly from last week’s high of 29%, but it marks the third straight week in which over a quarter of voters share that opinion despite increasing bad economic news."
Sadly, we all know why the Swamp isn't reporting this poll.....
Posted by: Bruce | February 17, 2009 3:20 PM
Funny how Rasmussen seems to poll only conservatives; all other polls have totally different results. I guess that R in Rasmussen stands for right wing.
Posted by: rupert | February 17, 2009 4:10 PM
Actually, the RCP poll which is a much more accurate picture since it is the combined average of several polls, has the right direction number at 31%.
Which is roughly 20 points higher than it was in November when the Grand Obstructionist Party was told to not let the door hit them in their heads.
Thanks for the reminder Bruce.
Posted by: Bubba ✔ | February 17, 2009 4:49 PM