Approval of Congress Matches All-Time Low

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Approval of Congress Matches All-Time Low

Approval of Congress has matched its all-time low, according to a Wall Street Journal/NBC News poll to be released in full later Tuesday. Meantime, voters have a slightly more positive view of the Democratic Party over the GOP as both sides prepare for their national conventions.

The survey of registered voters found that just 12% approve of the work lawmakers do on Capitol Hill, on par with voter sentiment in October 2008 when America plunged into an economic crisis. Another 82% in the new poll said they disapprove. The WSJ/NBC News poll has been asking the question since 1990.

The full results of the WSJ/NBC News poll will be released at 6:30 p.m. ET on WSJ.com.

Last week, a Gallup poll reported that Congress’s approval rating had hit 10%, matching a 38-year-low in that poll last reached in February 2011.

The news comes less than two weeks after Republican Mitt Romney chose House Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan, one of the leaders in Washington’s budget wars, as his running mate. But voters have been giving similarly low marks to Congress for a while, and it’s unclear what impact the sentiment will have on this fall’s elections. Voters tend to give their own congressmen much higher approval ratings than they give Congress as a whole.

Republicans are still expected to maintain control of the House while Democrats have a less firm grip on the Senate.

The poll also shows that President Barack Obama’s party maintains an edge in likability, with 42% viewing it positively and 40% negatively. When asked of the GOP, 36% said they held positive impressions and 45% had negative ones.

If nothing, the data suggests voter partisanship is hardening as Election Day approaches and record amounts of political ads fill the airwaves.

Last month, voters were split 40%-40% on the Democrats, with 34% saying they felt positively about the GOP and 43% feeling negatively about it.

In both cases, the percentage of voters who view the parties neutrally has fallen.

http://blogs.wsj.com/washwire/2012/08/21/approval-of-congress-matches-all-time-low/

[rocks 494]

Voters tend to give their own congressmen much higher approval ratings than they give Congress as a whole.

My congressman is the worst of the lot. Hasn't said anything for two years, now it is election time he's started putting signs up.

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Imagine having a 12% approval at our jobs and still keep our jobs... Congress - different rules.

[JohnR! 5,495]

However, many of the incumbents will be re-elected.

If you ask me, it makes no sense.

[X Factor 1,112]

However, many of the incumbents will be re-elected.

If you ask me, it makes no sense.

Im just sick and tired of both parties.

Edited August 22, 2012 by kennard

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