Posted on 07/20/2007 11:04:00 AM PDT by NormsRevenge
WASHINGTON - Dismal approval ratings for the Democratic-led Congress — even worse than President Bush's — don't seem to be a threat to the party in next year's elections.
Congress' reputation is hurt by widespread anger over the war in Iraq, and lawmakers' inability to change the war's course. On that point, Republicans are still far more vulnerable than Democrats, say strategists in both parties.
That's why Democrats are doing all they can to stoke dissatisfaction with the war through repeated votes and attention-grabbing scenes like the Senate's all-night debate this week. For now, they're not worrying that voters will punish them for failing to achieve their agenda.
"The Democrats now own a share of discontent with national conditions, but it's a minority share. People still look to the White House and Republicans" as the people responsible for most of the discontent, said Andrew Kohut, director of the Pew Research Center for the People and the Press.
Just 24 percent approved of Congress' job performance in the latest Associated Press-Ipsos poll this month, down 11 percent from only two months ago. That included a sizable drop — nearly in half — among Democrats, just 27 percent of whom approved. The rating among independents also fell by 10 percent, to 23 percent. Meanwhile, Bush's overall approval rating remained unchanged at 33 percent this moth.
The numbers for Congress are the worst in a year, and match the dubious standing of the GOP Congress in 2006, months before voters rejected Republicans en masse. AP's survey indicated that the war, more than anything else, was seen as the most important problem facing the country.
Democratic leaders have studied the latest numbers and concluded they can counteract them by reminding the public repeatedly that they're pushing for change, especially on the war.
"People need to understand clearly that Republicans ... are the roadblock to change, and things like the filibuster all night can help illustrate that," said Rep. Chris Van Hollen, D-Md., chairman of his party's House campaign arm.
The numbers might be cause for panic if Democrats controlled both Congress and the White House, said Republican strategist Gary Andres, but in divided government, "it tends to be less directly linked to seats won or lost than people think."
Nonetheless, some leading Republicans say the low ratings give challengers an opening to take on Democrats.
"In politics just like in life, you never get a second chance to make a first impression, and those ratings show (Democrats) couldn't have gotten off to a worse start," said Rep. Tom Cole, R-Okla., chairman of the House GOP re-election committee.
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., blamed Congress's tanking popularity on Democrats' inability to pass major legislation, saying the majority has focused instead on "repetitious Iraq votes" and investigating the Bush administration.
"The American people have figured it out. They thought that by getting a new Congress they were going to get more production," McConnell said.
Still, national surveys show Democratic candidates with a sizable advantage over Republicans. In individual races, said Sen. Charles E. Schumer, D-N.Y., his party's Senate campaign chief, voters are "not spreading the blame equally."
Schumer called the low ratings "a referendum on Republican obstructionism."
Crying obstruction by political opponents is a familiar campaign tactic that carries risks, and there's no guarantee it will be enough to persuade voters to keep Democrats in power. In 1982, when Democrats controlled Congress and Ronald Reagan was president, low congressional approval ratings coincided with a major pickup of seats for the majority party.
Congress' sagging popularity rating may reflect public ambivalence about its role.
"You're damned if you do and you're damned if you don't," said Republican strategist Andres. "If you get a lot of things done, you tend to have to compromise and cut deals a little different than you said you were going to when you got elected. If you stick to your principles and then are blocked by the other party because you won't compromise, then people say you haven't accomplished anything."
That doesn't mean Democrats can sit back and complain about Republicans for the next year. Aside from increasing the federal minimum wage, most of their domestic agenda hangs in limbo.
"I don't believe in the long term that you win or lose an election by saying, 'We couldn't do anything because the other side wouldn't let us,' " said former Democratic Rep. Martin Frost of Texas.
Eager for some achievements to tout when they leave for their monthlong summer break in August, leaders are scrambling to try to deliver to Bush's desk measures enacting the anti-terrorism recommendations of the 9/11 commission and overhauling lobbying rules.
Democratic pollster Mark Mellman, who has advised congressional leaders this year, said they need to "fight like heck to get the things done that we think are important."
"Yeah, people would like things to be different in Iraq, but they recognize that the reason they're not is because of the president, and because there are still too many Republicans in Congress," Mellman said.
If the numbers stay as bleak as they are now, though, Democrats might have reason to worry in 2008.
"The jury is still out on Congress," Frost said. "The question is how the public feels this time next year."
Damage Control.
Run out the “push polls”. Nothing to see here.
So really, it's the REPUBLICANS who will suffer from the Democrats' dismal approval ratings. Ah, now I see.
LOL...they ain’t seen nothing yet. Republicans will retain the WH...good news coming from Iraq is the rat crowds worst nightmare [the msm will NOT beable to cover it up either]...the rats retaining congress is becoming less likely...this is not wishful thinking...we’ll see herds of republicans voting...no sit outs this election cycle [I’m sure they’ve seen the error of their ways]...
This might not be far from the truth. Here in Allentown Pennsylvania they elected another democrat as mayor right after they removed the old (dem) mayor for incompetence. Oh yea, the guy who replaced him was from the incompetence’s administration!
I think the jury has come back with 14% approval.
Is it just possible that congress is not popular because they are seen as cut and run quitters in the war?
Typical biased AP tripe. And this woman is one of their top reporters, which I take to mean she lies more gracefully than the others. Go back and look at the bilge she published during the debate over the immigration bill. Julie, wishing will not make it so.
I’m inclined to believe this article. With 21 seats to protect, it’s doubtful the Senbate will be switched. As for the House, I think the standard rule for the House applies: Most people who give Congress as a whole low marks also give their own Rep high marks.
Pew may be right. After all, here in Massghanistan, we have two senators, one is a self-admitted war criminal who shot an unarmed fleeing Vietnamese teenager in the back, the other is a drunkard who has been involved in numerous scandals involving rapes and drownings. And we have a congressman(? sorry but I know he is male but being queer as a seven-legged ostrich, he might be a congresswoman) who allowed a male brothel to be run out of his apartment and fixed tickets for the clientele.
I the unpopularity of Democrat-controlled Conress will make any difference to those who follow the Democrats’ led and who drive their moonbat mobiles with the 01*20*09 bumper stickers with the subtext “Bush’s last day in office” for those of us who could decipher their cryptic message. I doube you will see any 01*03*09 bumperstickers with subtext “Dingy Harry to the Back of the Bus”.
A straight shooting GOP nominee like FRED will make hay from their whinny crap.
I’m betting that after hitlery knifes Ossama Obamma in the back to get the dim nomination, the “black block” will not be nearly as enthused come Nov. 08 and the lefty crazies will have the moderate dems scared stiff.
I see a good chance for the Dems to pick up a fillibuster proof majority (with Rinos) in the Senate and a more sizeable majority in the House. Plus the WH is likely to fall to the Dems just on the familiarity breeds contempt for the Bush administration principle.
Issues really will not matter. My sense is that voters will want a change, even if it means putting the moonbat
wack jobs in total power.
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