Both Parties in Congress Near Record-Low

Gallup ^ | September 17, 2009

[Steelfish]

September 17, 2009 Both Parties in Congress Near Record-Low Approval

Republicans unusually critical of the Republicans in Congress

Lydia Saad PRINCETON, NJ -- New USA Today/Gallup approval ratings of the two major parties in Congress show the Democrats faring slightly better than the Republicans, in line with the pattern in recent years. Thirty-six percent of Americans interviewed Sept. 11-13 approve of how the Democrats in Congress are doing their job; 27% approve of the Republicans.

However, both parties' ratings are down significantly from earlier this year, returning them to the record-low levels seen in 2007 and 2008.

[KansasGirl]

A key reason for congressional Republicans’ depressed ratings in recent months is that rank-and-file Republicans’ support for their own party in Congress has descended to unprecedented depths.

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That makes absolutely zero sense to me. The GOP has actually been holding the line the past few months.

[RJL]

A key reason for congressional Republicans’ depressed ratings in recent months is that rank-and-file Republicans’ support for their own party in Congress has descended to unprecedented depths.

Just being Republicans doesn't cut it anymore. I want to know their ideas to shrink government and cut spending, and how they are going to go about doing so.

[nathanbedford]

I agree with you.

Perhaps it has something to do with the phenomenon that says that the electorate is chronically dissatisfied with Congress but perennially satisfied with their own representative.

Although the Republicans will almost certainly make gains in 2010, any realistic hope they have of taking back the house probably depends on the state of the economy, more precisely the state of employment, and their ability to nationalize the election as was done by Newt Gingrich in 1994.

It is very encouraging that the independents are moving against the Democrats and towards the Republicans and it is this demographic, after all, which decides elections.