Why is the Democrat Controlled Congress Approval Rating 24%?

Question

I see the latest Gallup poll has the Democrat controlled congress polling at an impressive 24% approval rating. This is a ten point drop from when the Republicans were in charge.

"According to the June 11-14, 2007, survey, 24% of Americans approve and 71% disapprove of the way Congress is handling its job. Congressional approval is down five points since last month and more than 10 points from the higher support levels in January and February following the Democratic takeover. "

http://galluppoll.com/content/?ci=27937

Why are the Democrats so hated by the american people?

Answer 1

Did someone really try to blame congress's bad apporval rating on Bush. Wow.

The Dems haven't delivered on any of the promises they made during their campaigns. That's what happens when you make promises based on what people want to hear instead of what is needed and possible.

Answer 2

This is not a 10 point drop from when Republicans were in charge. From your own article, which you apparently neglected to read:

"Congressional approval is down five points since last month and more than 10 points from the higher support levels in January and February following the Democratic takeover. The current 24% rating is similar to the poor ratings Congress received last year, with Americans essentially voting to take control of Congress away from the Republicans in November."

Several reasons why it's so low:

1) The Republicans in Congress and Bush have prevented much legislation from happening.

2) In particular Bush's veto of the Iraq timeline and the Dem's subsequent cave-in are to blame, since most Americans want us out of Iraq. The Dems should not have caved.

3) Congress rarely has decent approval ratings.

4) Democrats expect more from their politicians than Republicans, as is evident by Bush's approval rating of 28% despite being the worst president in US history.

Answer 3

Well, when the numbers are broken out, it isn't the Democrats who are taking the most heat, but the Republicans. It pays to look a little further into the numbers, especially if you're going to try and lay blame.

Republicans:
Approve 30% Disapprove 56% Unsure 14%
http://www.pollingreport.com/cong_rep.htm

Democrats:
Approve 36% Disapprove 49% Unsure 15%
http://www.pollingreport.com/cong_dem.htm

So even though the Democrats have control of Congress why are the Republicans receiving a lower approval rating and a higher disapproval rating?

Answer 4

Actually the number of people not approving of Congress is about normal. Look back over several years and it will be about the same. Also it will depend on which poll one looks at. Some will be higher some lower.

America sent a message that we want our troops out NOW and the Democratic controlled Congress has not delivered. They caved in to Dubya. Perhaps they will redeem themselves in Autumn after the report from General Petraeus.

Answer 5

It doesn't matter who controls the Congress when approval ratings are so bad. The reason the levels are so low is Congress doesn't give a crap about the American people anymore Democrat or Republican it's about the money and their careers. We need term limits and to get off our rears and vote these creeps out of office and fresh blood in there.

Answer 6

It's not that Democrats are hated, it is that people are frustrated that Congress cannot accomplish very much. Most people don't understand that if you don't have a big enough majority (60 votes in the Senate) and the president is from the other party, it is difficult to pass legislation that the other party opposes.

Answer 7

because of the fact we are already into "pre-election ops", while all Congress does is quibble, equivocate, quake of their boots and backstab absolutely everyone from the opposing party, no rely if this is unfavorable to the rustic or no longer. they think of the yank everybody is complete idiots politically and, regrettably, for the main area they're perfect. yet they're in basic terms a byproduct and a mirrored image of a "way of life of corruption", so how can they "restoration it" without resigning? Do you somewhat assume them to tell the militia-business complicated to "shop you cash, we are going to do what's perfect." ? I actual have lived long adequate to earnings that an incumbent flesh presser is usually a corrupt flesh presser, it relatively is why I generally vote for the "greenhorns" - too dumb to be corrupted(offered out) yet and much less risky than a "pro"(prosperous AND grasping) political hack.

Answer 8

It is because the Democrats are not doing what they promised to do, like make a timetable for Iraq and have the US withdraw from Iraq. They also promised to solve our immigration problem, but instead tried to pass a bogus amnesty bill. It's funny how some people diverted the shame of having a lower approval rating than Bush by blaming it on Bush.

Answer 9

Congress' approval rating is low because the Democrats are not achieving the things they were elected to do: a timeline on Iraq, improving visibility, limiting earmarks, resolving immigration, etc. They have not been strong in doing the things they said they would do.

Answer 10

The democrats aren't hated otherwise they wouldn't be elected in. There also wouldn't be such energy coming from the Clinton and Obama camps.

The reason it is low is because they can't get anything done. They only have a small majority, and not enough votes to overrule any veto by the president. Really, the only power congress has right now is to create checks and balances with the executive branch. Bush is no longer just handed a blank check on everything anymore.

Answer 11

It clearly says that the ten point drop is from when Democrats took over, not from when Republicans were in charge. But Congress approval ratings are always low. I think it stems from people not actually knowing what it is Congress does.