Poll: Congress Has Lower Satisfaction Numbers Than Bush
Man, that's really low...
In the eyes of the public, Congress is doing even worse than the president.
Public satisfaction with the job lawmakers are doing has fallen 11 points since May, to 24 percent, according to an Associated Press-Ipsos poll. That's lower than for President Bush, who hasn't fared well lately, either.
Bush has been taking heat over the Iraq war, his decision to spare a former top vice presidential aide from going to prison and his desire for an overhaul of immigration laws that critics said would give a free pass to illegal immigrants. His job approval rating in the AP-Ipsos survey remained virtually unchanged at 33 percent.
The 24 percent approval rating for Congress matched its previous low, which came in June 2006, five months before Democrats won control of the House and Senate due to public discontent with the job Republicans were doing.
Just two months ago, 35 percent of the public approved of Congress' work.
That's a 31% drop in 60 days...a pretty dire warning, wouldn't you say? But wait, here comes the part where the press pushes their own narrative:
Poll respondents from both political parties say they're tired of the fighting between Congress and the White House, and want the two branches of government to work together on such issues as education, health care and the Iraq war.
This is what I'm talking about when I say we MUST pierce through the bubble that encircles the Beltway. These politicians read these stories and polls (TPM has the full poll here) and internalize it that their approval ratings will sink even further if they give Bush too hard a time or play the same kind of hardball that the Republicans had no problem playing when they were the majority. It is incumbent upon all of us to make very clear that their approval reading has to do with their lack of action, not fear of it.
I feel that their approval would skyrocket IF they would DO SOMETHING.
maybe after Bush craps on Congress another few hundred times the Dems can threaten contempt of Congress. if anything epitomizes how ineffectual and irrelevant Congress is, it is their constant threatening and then doing NOTHING.
You cannot "work together" with a neocon.
Its impossible.
It is misleading in that they mention that narrative, then provide a Rep. woman who supports it, then mention only part of what a Dem. says - the part that supports the narrative. Then one paragraph later they let the Dem say why they're really pissed: because the Dems in congress have no backbone and aren't pushing as hard as they can. That's why I disapprove of them now. We elected them into the majority to do something not to sit on their hands and worry how it would affect them later.
What can you do? The electorate is under the impression that a majority in the Senate means the Dems have power, but some don't know about
Obstructionist Senate Republicans, requiring 60 votes to pass anything.
Bush's veto
Ahem... "moderate" Democrats.
If the Repubs can keep the electorate stupid, we won't get as much momentum as we need. We need heaps of ads of painting Republicans as obstructionist. Post as many ads for stopping the Iraq war and the Republicans obstructing it and the election is in the bag.
Many people that don't pour over the blogs each day don't realize that Democrats JUST don't have the numbers. Their number is +1. But every vote they take, every issue they raise keeps the issue in the news, the pressure on Bush and drags a convert or 2 over. And remember, if the Democrats hadn't won the Senate and Congress in the last election, Bush would be skating free.
I really don't think you can call the results of the actions of this Congress thus far as a free pass for Bush.
Do you?
This is where it gets complicated. Everyone is under the impression if CONgress passes legislation, and Bush vetoes it, it's dead. Not the case. CONgress has the constitutional power to override presidential veto. They could have done that, right off the start with their Iraq legislation, but rather than even attempt it, they talked the talk, then watered down the legislation. I have no doubt that these polls are close to realistic. People are sick and tired of their "elected" officials ignoring them once elected.
I hope they NEVER WORK TOGETHER.
I don't want yet another water down version of any Bill making it's useless way through Government.
Espeacially some Healthcare IN NAME ONLY Bill.
Face it. The two parties are absolute Opposites.
The Democrats and the "Gennerally Opposed to Everything Party".
I thought they were the Grand Obstructionist Party.
NChomsky @ 7:
Right. It takes two Thirds of Congress to overide a veto. With the current republican infecction in congress, a Veto Overide will NEVER happen. The only hope fpr America, is the utter destruction of the republican party. No more than ten percent or less republicans in office. Hopefully less.
Congressional approval polls are typically lower than presidential approval polls. According to Harris, the Republicans in congress are polling at 21% approval, while the Democrats in congress are at 31% (the same poll has Bush at 26% www.pollingreport.com ). Yet the MSM and right wingers are lately pointing out the over-all (combined) congressional polling with talking points like: "see, the Democtrat(ic) run congress polls worse than Bush".
If you ask most of us on this site if we approve of congress's performance we'll say NO, due to the fact that they are not aggresive enough on Iraq, nor on congressional oversite ("impeachment is off the table"). However, if you ask us if we approve more of congress or of Bush, I'd bet 95%+ here would say they support Pelosi/Reed over Bush (the ~5% with the alternate view being need-to-get-a-real-life trolls).
The reason, and there is only one reason, for the precipitous decline in Congress's approval rating is quite simple: the American people want impeachment. This will only go down hill from here.
Yup, they should take charge before BushCo really does something awful. Everything so far has just been their warm-ups.
1: Impeach
2: Impeach
The Iraqi government is unable to govern.
So is the American government.
These are by design folks.
There's another dynamic here. The M$M constantly portray Congress in the most negative terms possible, and poll respondents simply regurgitate what they hear on the nightly "news." It's like when they "throw open the request lines" on Top 40 radio. The idiotic listeners naturally request all the shit they're already playing.
let me try and make some sense of this because how can this congress have lower numbers than the most despicable most crooked administration by far that has ever occupied that office. here's my thought. bush and his dominions are doing what they are supposed to do, and they are doing it well. they are crooked through and through and that's what they do. perpetrate wars for their own gain, cover up scandals and run the country's economic system into the ground.
the congress on the other hand was put in place to bring an end to this corruption. rather than acting forcefully as their constituency has directed, they instead have hidden behind excuses waiting for someone else to make the move first lest they do something that will upset their bid for reelection.
so there it is, bush crime family does what it is supposed to do. the congress has failed miserably in its task.
They wouldnt have a low approval # if they started impeaching and indicting these Neocons.
This is no suprise to me. If the Democrats don't start fighting back and holding this administration accountable, they will never regain the respect of the majority of the American electorate. They are too focused on issues. I think it is admirable that they want to improve the lives of all Americans, but they can't do it from the sidelines and as long as they continue to play by Republican rules, they remain on the sidelines - majority or not. Stop being polite - ask for the up or down votes - scream for the up or down votes - it worked for the Republicans. They cried obstructionists everytime the Democrats tried to fight for their beliefs and democratic values. MAKE THEM FILIBUSTER! Make them read the phonebook. Make them explain why nothing is getting done! Make them explain why this administration should not be held accountable for urinating on the Constitution. The Democratic leaders MUST realize that the American People are their employers and WE THE PEOPLE are NOT HAPPY! It is time to put the Constitution above Party and do what is right - IMPEACH!!!!
this obstructionist GOP meme is bullshit, for example, Senator Ben Nelson. Dems cant even get something with teeth out of committee..
I think that when the polls say people want the two side to work together, what is really meant is that one side wants the other to give up. There is no working together.
What I think people really want to see is integrity in their elected officials. Every time the Dems give in because they think a bill might be vetoes, they are really giving up. They are reneging on their promise to the people who elected them.
I would rather see the Dems keep sending the same bill spending with deadlines to the president until he gets the message. And if the funding runs out because he refuses to sign, then bring them all home. Period.
And even if they can't get enough votes for an impeachment, if they don't try I will just despise them.
Question (to Congress): Are you not men?
Answer (from Congress): We are Devo.
I got news for you both the Cons and the Dems are doing one thing and one thing only.
It's called looking out for number one first.
It's their own doing...why these numbsculls haven't stood up tougher to Bush is beyond me. I understand we don't have the votes to beat a veto and all that but make the stand anyway. Send Bush the same appropriations bill again and again, let him keep vetoing it, you gave him everything he wanted except the blank check for an open ended engagement, but then you caved in and gave him the blank check too. I understand it's only until Sept. BUT regular people like the people who read these blogs don't see it that way, we all see it as you gave in and purchased a little blame for this whole fiasco. Good job Dems, when you had all the marbles (not ALL the marbles but enough of them to become relivent) you did nothing with them and now you hold a low approval rating simply becuase you are not listening to the people how gave you your new jobs or renewed your contract. All we want is to see you make a stand against what we all know is the wrong path for America...but you continue to do nothing.
ps. I know there are the fringe Dems who are trying very hard to stand up to these criminals, but with such a narrow majority we need everyone on board with this.
Fucking Lindsey Graham. You can't shut the idiot up. He destroys every show he is on.
Uh, that's what the U.S. Corporate media 'says' it is. Bush has been at 29% approval for a few years? We've been making fabulous and amazing progress in the FUBAR territorial pissing in Iraq for a few years!?!
Unlike a lot of you, I'm past elections, I'm past censure or impeachment. I'm for tar and feathers, Bring down the Government they don't speak for us. Go read the Declaration of Independence. regards
Salmineo @ 23:
Well the reason they put guys like Graham on is because the only thing people who support them do is basically sit around watching TV.
And they want those viewers watching so they can sell them stuff on commercials.
Impeach. lets turn these anti war demonstrations up a notch, and into impeachment territory. I am stuck in Batesville, MS right now with no car, and just an internet connection at work, but I welcome any suggestions. I think it has to be done now though. I see a quick one two punch coming with the next "terror plot/attack" followed by some manufactured war with Iran. If we start to slide down that slope....... Lets get the impeachment movement started. We have the #s, lets get the information out.
Bring criminal indictments and impeachment proceedings on GWB/Cheney for lying to congress. America is a entertainment culture, so entertain us, give us something like the Iran Contra trial or the OJ trial. THEY INTENTIONALLY LIED US INTO A WAR, NAIL THEIR ASSES OR BE COWARDS.
The democratic majority was elected to end the war in Iraq and to get some measure of accountability back in the beltway. Want to improve those numbers? IMPEACH!
You're never gonna pierce the beltway bubble if you employ the Daily Kos school of "Crashing the Gates", which means get your ad revenue and establishment cred, then join in the two-party hustle.
When the Dems get 35% of the vote in the next election, then they will have to face reality. Until then, we will have more of the same mandarin deafness that we always have had. Remember the 1994 Conservative Revolution? Why did it come about?
1. Repubs had no branches of government in 1992.
2. They lost the Perot Voter
If the Dems control no branches of government and they lose the Nader voter, they will realize that the mandarin bullshit will have to stop and they will have to grow some Sertoli Cells.
The war should have been defunded since January. We are still debating??!??!??!? Let's get real.
matt greer @ 26:
The Constitution obligates the House to impeach federal officials (both executive and judicial) for "Treason, Bribery, or other high Crimes and Misdemeanors."
Pelosi is going to have to be replaced before we'll see that though. She just doesn't have the "right stuff" and that should be obvious by now.
If the Repubs can keep the electorate stupid, we won't get as much momentum as we need.
In my humble opinion, it is the MAIN STREAM MEDIA who is keeping the electorate stupid,
because IT fails to report exactly WHO is to blame.
L.A. Confidential @ 30:
ok, not sure why you quoted my comment, but yes, I am aware of impeachment proceedings, and right on!!
This poll is less about congress as a whole and more about the GOP side of it. People are pissed off at the wingnut lawmakers for blocking any and all legislation.
How do we know this? By other polls that ask respondents which party they favor. When that question is asked Dems have a 50% to 35% advantage. The more people that think congress stinks, the more GOPers better check their Vitter diaper for a smelly loaf.
The 2008 elections will be another major loser for the crazy right. They're on a roll.
Impeach
The oil ministry media cannot be depended on for anything
Easy Rider on Freedom
Doggiebobo @ 31:
In my humble opinion, it is the MAIN STREAM MEDIA who is keeping the electorate stupid,
because IT fails to report exactly WHO is to blame.
In general we're all finished the first day our parents set us in front of a Television when we are still gurgling infants.
This comes as no surprise to me. The funding situation for the war in Iraq and the immigration issue are probably the primary reasons why Congress' ratings are so low. I think this approval rating is very appropo, quite frankly. As for Bushie, well, his rating can stand to lose another 15 or 20 points. Another 2 months or so in Iraq should fix that.
The Champ is out.
I sent this link to Nancy Pelosi this morning. http://www.pbs.org/moyers/journal/07132007/profile.html Please watch the discussion and then do the same. Also send it to all your friends, neighbors, relatives, the guy who bags your groceries, everybody you can think of.
Doggiebobo @ 31:
In my humble opinion, it is the MAIN STREAM MEDIA who is keeping the electorate stupid,
because IT fails to report exactly WHO is to blame.
Obstructionist republicans and the obstructionist EXTREME RIGHT WING MAIN STREAM MEDIA (ERWMSM) are complicit in the poor performance of congress. The media focuses on the democratic congress as if there wasn't any republicans.
The American people want the two men who would be king to be impeached. They are screaming for it, but congress has put its fingers in its ears and are singing to themselves "la la la la" so that they cannot hear the people
http://www.pbs.org/moyers/journal/07132007/profile.html
[...] Link to Article yahoo Poll: Congress Has Lower Satisfaction Numbers Than Bush » Posted at [...]
rend @ 19:
I call BS:
Carpet Bagger Report Article
the administration will not compromise unless its 100% on their terms. congress (dems) aims high . e.g 100% troop withdrawl, just to get any sort of policy change.
the republicans that keep voting against an iraq policy change should be kicked in the stomach. the democrats that do the same should be kicked in the balls.
no shit, right? im just a simple POS, what the fuck do i know.
KSH @ 40:
Also, the Republicans have filibustered 43 times since the Dems took over Congress
Well, isn't there an old saying that Americans hate Congress but love their congressman?
I can't stand my congressmen. They are all Bushwipes.
The dems do not "control" congress. They do NOT have the votes to completely turn government around. They are only up by 1 single vote - and THIS INCLUDES turncoat Liebermann AND Tim Johnson who hasn't come back to work yet. The republicans have blocked every single piece of significant legislation. It isn't what the dems are doing, it's what the moderate thugs are doing. Why aren't we hearing more about how obstructionist the republicans are? Remember the supreme court nominees and all we heard about was how the dems were threatening Filibuster? And how the MSM was going nuts, calling dems obstructionists? Why aren't the dems out there talking up the republican obstructionism? Why isn't the MSM making such a big deal about republican obstructionism? The problem here isn't all the dems - not even the moderate dems. It's mostly the republicans who are putting loyalty to their leader ahead of loyalty to what is right for this nation and thereby giving the republicans the power to stall congress completely. Yet... the dems are taking the beating for it.
The Democrats are all acting like it's "Business As Usual"; meanwhile, they're getting sucker-punched at every turn by the marketing-based Republicans.
Harry Reid used to be a boxer. It's about time he started acting like one.
Why is it that the Democrats can't bully their ranks into voting at one on issues? Why are there ANY Democratic defections on ANYTHING?
And why is it that the Democrats are letting Republicans filibuster everything, while the Democrats never successfully filibustered ANYTHING without being successfully tarred as "not allowing an up-or-down vote"?
How is it that the Democrats can't threaten and bribe any Republicans into defecting to their side?
Of course, the press and the public aren't helping.
Christ, I really do think that America is broken sometimes.
Yep, we all pretty much agree Bush is a disaster so his approval rating is obviously low. Plus neo-cons don't listen to anyone, even though their experiment to forcibly democratize the middle-east has become an utter failure.
But we had a chance in November to vote for change. This was our hope of putting an end to the madness, but those hopes have been dashed by the inepptitude of congress to stand-up to the Bush administration.
I hope that they get an earful from their consitituents when the go home for summer vacations.
Bush has had his way too long. He is used to the fact that he can Veto a bill and congress won't have the courage to vote to overide it.
I would have hoped the Libby fiasco would have prodded congress along. Maybe it will.
I only hope that congress won't start being even more complacent and start saying, "Well he has less then two years, lets just ride it out." I have a bad feeling this is what's going to happen
That's because there's a complete stalemate and no one is happy. I think their approval rating would go up if they initiated impeachment proceedings since we know that nearly half of Americans are in favor of impeachment, actually more than half are in favor of impeaching Cheney.
We all know what is the hold up in Congress...When the Repub party was in control and they thought the Democrats were going to fillabuster the repubs would go to the MSM and cry "we just want an up or down vote"...Why aren't the dems going to the MSM and saying the repubs are blocking all these bills...we just want an up or down vote...WTF
"Poll respondents from both political parties say they’re tired of the fighting between Congress and the White House, and want the two branches of government to work together on such issues as education, health care and the Iraq war."
Those respondents sound like a bunch of shills to me. Only those that want a one-party dictatorship feel that way.
Worthless media.
Chip @ 47:
Unfortunately that is exactly what is happening.
Let's do the math shall we:
US House of Representatives:
Total number: 435
Two-Thirds majority: 290
Voted for HR 2956 : 223 (http://clerk.house.gov/evs/2007/roll624.xml)
Votes needed: 67
See this link:
for details.
US Senate:
Total number: 100
Two-Thirds majority: 67
Votes in Favor: 49 (29 for Fiengold's bill)
Votes needed: 16 (36 to withdraw by March 31,2008l)
See this link:
for details
Thus we are short about 67 votes in the House and 16 in the Senate before we can drive a stake into the bloodthirsty vampire known as Bush's Iraq policy.
This assumes that some Democrats (*cough* Clinton *cough*) wont change their vote when they realize that it might actually mean ending the war.
Wow my links got funk-tified.
Sorry about that.
Congress doesn't reflect the will of the American people, so why should we be satisified?
#1 Post bill: "I feel that their approval would skyrocket IF they would DO SOMETHING."
You know. It's even simpler than that. They would gain points if they would just STAND FOR SOMETHING.
Frankly, I think at least half the Democrats are lying to us about the war. Now that Bush has been insane enough to get us into the Middle East, they are scared shitless of what will happen to our oil supply with a chaotic withdrawal. Assuming withdrawal _would_ make the Middle East more chaotic. Nonetheless, Iraq has certainly made the Islamic world hate us more than they already did for supporting Israel's treatment of Palestine -- and there's a lot of Islamic oil. So the only Democrat I might trust on Iraq is one who has clearly stated his vote for immediate and unconditional withdrawal and for diplomatic and UN normalization of the Middle East.
Impeachment is different though. If Pelosi isn't just a coward, if she isn't cooperating with the Republicans, then she is just STUPID. Americans don't want to hear that impeachment is off the table. They want to hear that impeachment is crucial and she is courageously working hard every day against the odds to build the support in Congress to make it a reality. Otherwise she just comes across as a defeatist and subservient loser. And no wonder congressional poll numbers are in the toilet.
She's supposed to be a top dog politician. She doesn't understand the importance of not appearing weak? The motto was, "Give me liberty or give me death!". Not, "Give me liberty or if enough of you won't get behind me I'll be really bummed and have to beg for some concessions from King George's ministers."
During a Larry King interview a few months back, Nancy Pelosi said she had a "great deal of respect for President Bush". After I picked myself off the floor, I faxed her a letter that said in effect - you have to be F*&%ing kidding me. Over ten years ago, a friend of mine briefly worked with W - I asked him what he was like? His answer, "A complete jerk". Somebody has something on Nancy - we need to send her back to SF and let her organize tea parties for the country club set.
I think the analysis of these numbers is simple.
Bush's ratings are low becasue he is a major screw up in general and people are starting to notice that everything he touches goes to the crapper.
Congress' rating are low because although Bush is probably the worst president ever congress seems unable to make any major changes. For two reasons
1. Delusional Republican reps
2. Weak willed Democrats to nervous to draw a line in the sand and enforce it probably because they are to scared of the public being sucked into a misintrepretation of their position and not being reelected.
I wish they (D) would stand united and take a hard postion regardless of election posible results. With the ratings of the republican leader the'll would probably be replaced with someone who has a pair.
Is their approval so low because they are trying to make progress, or because the Republicans keep stopping them?
"Poll respondents from both political parties say they’re tired of the fighting between Congress and the White House."
That's not my issue with them. In fact, it's just the opposite. I'm disgusted with Congress because they won't fight against BushCo.
And what's bizzare about that poll is that at least 50% of Americans want Congress to impeach Bush and Cheney. How the hell do you do that and get along with the White House at the same time?
wideeyedfedup,
It's a shame that Nancy Pelosi doesn't have anymore respect for the Constitution and HER duty to it, but saves her respect for George Bush
http://www.pbs.org/moyers/journal/07132007/profile.html
Republicans are mad at their congress people because they aren't working on the conservative issues they want them to. Liberals are pissed because the new Dem congress can't get through the issues they want them to. So if both sides are mad at congress, of course they will get low approval polls. Bush has his puny base numbers to keep him a bit above water. That, to me, is the difference
That's because instead of doing the right thing and impeaching these creeps, they're serving as enablers. Those experts on Bill Moyers are exactly right. If we don't impeach Bush/Cheney for their crimes against the Constitution, then we will just become subjects of an imperial executive.
Impeach these criminal bastards and those Congressional poll numbers will do a turn around big time.
della Rovere @ 2:
That's because instead of doing the right thing and impeaching these creeps, they're serving as enablers. Those experts on Bill Moyers are exactly right. If we don't impeach Bush/Cheney for their crimes against the Constitution, then we will just become subjects of an imperial executive.
della Rovere @ 2:
I'm not a religious person but, Amen to that!
Kaorimoch @ 5:
See, this is my biggest complaints about the Dems. They are not going to the public to gain public support and point out the obstructionists. They just have this attitude that if they just "take the high road" and just beg the opposition to be nice and not make their contentions public, everything will be fine and dandy. In politics, you have to be able and willing to go for the jugular.
Hello, Senate democrats? It's called "doing something". It's called "go on offense".
Then maybe your poll numbers will go up. Stop trying to please people who will never vote for you anyway.
OT
Michael Moore on 9/11.
http://www.brasschecktv.com/page/123.html
I am really continuously amazed at how dem supporters never tire of facing this simple truth:
Right now, today, the Democrats in Washington are hated by more people than the worst President in the history of the US.
Which means, the democrats are now the newest lowest of the low. They are sick, they are two-faced, they are now worse than President Bush. Could this really be true? Could someone OTHER than Bush be worse than Bush? It's like trying to pee in the corner of a round room. It cannot be possible. Could it?
Hmmmm....you know what's not amazing? How yet another group of politicians (this time the democrats, but really they are all the same, people should realize this) convinced an ignorant public that they are on their side, that they have their best interests in mind. That FINALLY, after all the GOP posturing, speeches, broken promises and lies, that somehow the dems were going to fix anything? HAHAHAHAHA....I laugh my asses off at those who think things really were going to change for the better.
So, we now have a new evil that must be vanquished, a new evil that must be stopped...complacent democrats.
I know, let's vote some more democrats into power, perhaps even to President, and surely they will fix all the problems right? Surely they will be able to once and for all stop the insanity? After all, they did a FABULOUS job since they had a mojority in both houses, right?
Oh I get it, the dems COULD NOT be worse than Bush, they could NOT be worse than the worst ever because, well, duh, Congress ALWAYS has a lower rating the Prez, so why should we even look at this rating then right? Oh, I also forgot, the reason is that people are just angry that the dems didn't end the war. Deep down everyone LOVES the dems, they just don't know it now right? ALl it would take is for the war to change people's opinions right? Well, if these are your arguments, they hold NO water, zero, zilch. I could say the same thing about Bush. IF he ended the war, IF he didn't break the law, IF he didn't lie to the American people, THEN HE would be loved too right? He IS good, the people just don't know it yet. Ya right.
It's high time that people start to realize an all important truth that has always somehow eluded people since the dawn of civilization. This has been true since the ancient Greeks, Romans, and Egyptians:
Governments, if not kept in check, if not always faught back to do its proper functions, if they are not always to be viewed with scepticism, and with doubt, will ALWAYS grow and grow and grow and end up being a gastly beast in which the people then become slaves and peons to, instead of the strong, individual, and believers of true human freedom that countries with small governments always have. The United States had been the best country because its government was small for so very long. Sadly, this is fading away and big government is on the people's hands once again.
I didn't see a lot of Dems on the Sunday morning shows. Where's the dems' message if they can't get a mic and a camera? The only one I recall seeing today was Webb and his was the best message of the day.
McCain's failed campaign got just about as much air discussion as the war. That's telling.
"It is incumbent upon all of us to make very clear that their approval reading has to do with their lack of action, not fear of it."
The message was clear back in Nov. They have over 2/3 of the country wanting to end this occupation. That is all the majority they need. 2/3 of the country think bush is doing a lousy job. Why they are sitting on their hands with these numbers is beyond me.
BTW Webb made Graham look even more stupid than usual today on MTP. Why do we never hear from the military commanders themselves about whether they think the troops need training and rest? Has anyone heard what their opinion is? After reading Fiasco, I know for a fact that they believe the training is not there, and within the first 6 months of the occupation the troops wanted to come home.
This war was lost in the first 3 months. Stay the course has been nothing but a giant murder spree because they refused to face the fact they screwed up.
LAZY and STUPID
Manufactured news! This is such a flawed comparison. An individual (Bush) compared to an institution (Congress). Which members (individuals) in Congress have lower ratings than Bush? (cricket sounds)
Good point, notanumber
Someone just made a damn good point above.
The Dems are weak,spineless,cowards,etc.
That was originally a talking point by Frank Luntz
Why are we still using it ?
Wideeyedfedup @ 56:
This is what I cannot stand about Pelosi. She is far too concerned about image, such as looking "senatorial" and dignified, than what is straightforward and true. She should speak the truth to the public (as just another American and with a sense of humor would help). Instead she, like many Dem congresscritters, remains aloof from the media, only occasionally appearing to dispense respect for the lowest scum we have had in office in 100 years.
She reminds me of those senators from the Star Wars movies. All that is lacking is use of the royal "we", as in "we do not agree that the President Bush is anything other than a fine and sterling character. Now carry on, rabble!"
bill w @ 1:
second that! Stand Up to Bush. Do it NOW. And watch the approval of Congress go up.
The numbers for Congress are so low, because the damn Dems aren't doing their job and IMPEACH BOTH BUSH AND CHENEY!!!
.
LOL... work together... like a loyal Bushie no less.
Congressional approval numbers are lower than Bush's because Congress is too accommodating for Bush and his illegal war, wire tapping, torture, renditions, suspension of Habeas Corpus, signing statements, politicization of the DoJ, ... etc.
America was founded on Principles and Congress seems to agree far too much with aspects of the Bush Doctrine that tend to eliminate those very Principles. And THAT is why Americans feel Congress achieves far less as resulted in their level of approval standing among the people.
It's about Principles, people.
What are your Representatives and Senators Principles and HOW are they comporting them into their Duty and sworn Oath of Office? That is the challenge before us and that is the challenge We the People must ask of them, if they wish to continue in 2008.
.
This is no surprise!
When the father beats a child, the child look to their mother to protect them, but when the mother allows the father to keep on beating the child, they transfer the hate to their mother.
The point is that the congress is allowing the president to act like a King. I do see that it is possible that a republican could get re-elected into the Presidency, because at least they will do what they say they will do. Keep up the war in Iraq is their platform, and that what seem to be happening.
Those Dam Republicans Messed Up The Congressional Approval Numbers
When congressional approval numbers first reported being lower then the presidents', the Republicans were "licking their chops." They infiltrated leftest sites to tell their participants the Democrats lacked spine and were week. In short, they took one wrong decision and ran amok disqualifying every effort up until that point. Everyone, including most Democrats, concluded the low approval numbers could not be related to anything else but the Democrat's inability to stick to withdrawal legislation. As it stands, the Republicans had more to do with low approval numbers then the Democrats.
Most polls only showed a combined assessment of congressional Democrats and Republicans. This kind of polling is just what the conservatives needed because it allows them to insert spin into "who" is responsible for the low numbers. However, when I saw detailed numbers showing Democratic approval ratings separate from Republicans approval ratings,you can clearly see more people were disappointed with the Republicans, at 21%, for blocking the Democrat's, at 31%, attempts to withdraw our troops. Now it all makes connected sense because, Bush's, approval ratings went to 26% to 29% range, and the Republicans matched their leaders numbers.
Of course, this assumption the Democrats were responsible for the low approval numbers were made real by the media's effort to frame the blame on the Democrats. Form Fox news to CNN, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, the right-wing media association reported "the Democratic approval numbers are lower then the presidents." How is that for lending a helping hand?
As we go into round two of the Democratic intent to withdraw our troops, I hope the support for the this attempt is met with patients for the process takes to get the job done. It is going to take some time because the Democrats don't have the votes, so they are going to have to play a waiting game. A game the Republicans can win unless we give up. Judging from what happened the last time the Democrats gave up on troop withdrawal, the Democrats leaders know what time a day it is for them should they not respond to the people's will.
Joseph
conservatives can't admit mistakes so they will blame ALL of congress. then there are people who don't want to comit, because they are lazy, uninformed and know it, or just see everything in absolutes, so they will blame all of congress too.
the right wing talk radio monnopoly has played a big part in deflecting blame from the GOP to anyone else- that's it's function, like paul revere in reverse.
but if you can't see a difference between the two major parties you are either living a very principled life and don't compromise, or may just be an ignorant lazy sack.
When one is at 24% and the other at 28% I personally don't see much difference. It just means that 70+% of our country think Washington TOTALLY FUCKING SUCKS.
Only ignorant white crackers who barely can read/write or Jeso-freak pedophiles poll off in favor of either Congress or Bush. Who in their right mind really care what these fuck-nuts think or support?
The real issue here is that as a proud red, white and blue American I believe that Doctor Franklin's grand experiment has run it course. It is time to disband the United States as we know it, turn over the reigns of government to local home rule and quit feeding the monster with our hard earned tax dollars and money printed freely without the backing of any sort of commodity (gold/ silver/ platinum) foundation or worse still floated on a pryamid of foreign bond debt to enemy state buyers like China.
The War In Iraq may be the greatest gift ever for those of us who want true local home rule, disdain all things Washington be they Democrat or Republican as a country club for millionaires to legally steal/ rape/ pillage decent hard working peoples. The longer the war runs the closer we are to taking back our country and freeing ourselves from Congress, the President and their Courts.
paranoia @ 80:
Attacking the Democrats just plays into the Republicans hands. No matter how many posters point out that not enough Democrats were elected to override a Presidential veto or to impeach, more posters on this site simply repeat the word "impeachment" as though it were magic and accuse the Democrats of lacking spines. That appears to be where Ms. Belle's sympathies lie as well.
This does not help. There are political realities that must be faced. Without significant Republican assistance, we can NOT impeach and can NOT override a veto.
Some posters suggest that the Democrats should start the impeachment process anyway, even though it appears doomed to failure, because it's "the right thing to do". If the ultimate goal is to remove President Bush or, at least, to put as many checks on his power as possible, then consider evaluating whether the impeachment process will or will not further that goal.
Of course, it's much easier to simply repeat the word impeachment, isn't it?
Maybe I just missed it, but I saw nothing in the poll that asked such a question. But this has been the Standard Narrative for years, ever since the Rs took over Congress in 1995, and the Dems in Congress and the White House were essentially told by the media that it was now up to them to yield to the Gingrich "Revolution" in the interest of Harmony and Good Feeling. When they did not do so, of course, it was their fault for "bickering."
Motorhead Vette '67 @ 83:
Generalize much? Anyway, let me know when you are going to pick up a gun and march on Washington. I'll wave bye bye.
Motorhead Vette '67 @ 83:
Would the Nine Nations be local enough?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nine_Nations_of_North_America
Go Ecotopia!
Want to blame someone for the current gridlock in Congress? Just look in the mirror. It's the fault of the American electorate for failing to elect enough Democrats to Congress who can override Bush's vetoes without the help of the Republican lapdogs of Bush.
This poll is skewed by losers. Republicans who cannot come to grips with the fact that their party has failed both them and their country are naturally going to blame the problems that the democratic party has getting things done in congress on what they deem as inability to work together. This has been my observation with both republican officials and republican voters. Once they lose they come out and start screaming about a lack of bipartisonship. Also remember that the last six years of congress weigh heavily on the minds of independents.
There is no more important business for the sake of the Nation than the impeachment, prosecution, and conviction of the entire Bush cabal. The other "work together, . . . blah, blah, blah ... taxes, education, ... ... ... yadda, yadda, yadda, " is pure right-wing, desperation propaganda. PERIOD!
Sounds as if the ReThuglican strategy of bringing the Senate to its knees
by procedural nonsense, and politicizing the war in Iraq, is working like a charm.
Nothing is more important to them than regaining the control of Congress, just
like Jesus, and all the minor Gods want.
To a ReThuglican, compromise means to do everything their way. Nothing but
schoolyard bullies the lot. I have watched them on C-Span bring the Congress
to the edge of an abyss. Nothing matters to a ReThuglican except money for
free. They certainly do not actually work for the money they are paid. Its like
paying them to cut our own throats.
In 08, we need to send every Thug wearing a GOP sticker back home, were they can
practice their megalomania unhindered. Let the like minded hillbillies in their home
states put up with them.
Those approval numbers will skyrocket, the moment they do the job they were put into office for.
IMPEACH!
Clavis @ 47:
I think it pains the Dems to use the sort of assh*le tactics that the Repigs use because the Dems are more decent people. Decent people have a gut- level horror of wallowing in slime and doing evil sh*t. What is the answer to this dilemma, I don't know. As a person who wasn't even ruthless enough to sustain a career in real estate (lol) I know that some of us have "it"--the ability to be as tough as necessary while maintaining our principles to a reasonable degree--and some don't. All I know is that our newly elected had better grow tougher skins. Threaten. Filibuster. Accuse. Lie and distort the truth for the cameras. Do what it takes.
This is something I thought I'd never be saying, but it seems increasingly clear that these unscrupulous bastards will steamroll our decent Congressional members and laugh while they do so. They consider decency a WEAKNESS. They use the reluctance of others to engage in dirty tactics for their own ends. It's sad and disgusting, but true.
Bob Roberts @ 84:
I despise Congress. I strongly approve of Welch, Sanders, and Leahy, my own Congressmen. That is the only approval number that matters. We don't vote for Congress. We vote for our own representatives. This poll, and all like it, are an irrelevant distraction.
It is a truism that Americans always despise Congress, but approve of the job their own representatives do. The only reason we're talking about this now is that the GOP propaganda machine is trying to soften the impact of Bush's numbers.
#93...Bob Roberts at No. 83....Opps, my comment got imbedded in yours...See 3rd para.
in number 93
It wouldn't hurt to frame this in a way that's both accurate and easy to understand.
Here's my nomination:
In a recent NY Times column, Maureen Dowd, talked about it being time to "take the car keys" away from Bush.
In just four words, this phrase encapsulates Bush's essential immaturity, unwillingness to change, inability to see reason, and determination to stick to a course that can lead to catastrophe (plus a subtle reference to his years as a drunk).
Best of all, as a figure of speech that people use every day, it requires no translation.
Now if we could only get Harry, Nancy, and all the rest to make it their mantra.
Repeat after me: "It's time to take the car keys away from the President."
Bob Roberts Says: paranoia @ 80:
The point is that the congress is allowing the president to act like a King.
I think you guys are talking about #79 not 80.
Joseph
Bush and Cheney are 2 greedy teenagers beating a dog to death with a shovel. They're too stupid and wicked to know any better.
The democrats are the mature adults simply watching as this goes on, too spineless to intervene despite the fact they know better.
Thats why.
I don't think it matters if Democrats are able to impeach, it matters if they speak up and try. Those who don't speak up, are enabling them. Its not if your with them, or against them, it's more about just being responsible. Responsible in the matter of having the ability to respond to corruption and not just shrug their shoulder and say we are powerless. If they chose to enable this King, then they become part of enabling the next King, and most possibly could be the Democrats in power. By not speaking up on the contempt of congress from the King is what is playing in the hands of the Republican. I agree that we may not have enough vote to stop Bush, but lets put it on record and follow Sheehan foot and replace them with effective leadership and weed out the enabler of this Fascist movement that this country fought against in 1776.
dems are still not playing the same game as the repugs are poitically. of course webb is rught and grahan is wrong, but clips like this bit from meet the press just reveal that even 'fightin' dems like Webb just aren't using strong enough rhetoric to combat the BS that oozes out in a highly coordinated manner from the cons. i was expecting to see Webb blow this guy away. he didn't. they were just arguing, and i couldn't make out who was even really saying what at times....
Joseph @ 98:
Yep. I keep using the quote function at the top of the reply box. Sometimes, however, the number is off by one. I don't know why. Fault in the programming? Do posts that have been entirely deleted get erased after a while?
When they ask about the Parties individually in these polls, the Democrats in Congress always get higher ratings than Bush, higher than the Republicans in Congress and higher than Congress as a group. I have no reason to think this poll would show anything different if they asked about the Parties individually.
OF COURSE Congress has a low rating. There are still too many Republicans in it.
But the American people can fix that problem next year.
Lynseys a smug ass kissing closet southern homosexual. Come on out Lyndsey! He's the type who gets promoted in the military for his blatant asskissing of his superiors. How the American people let this idiots supposedly speak for the troops I don't know. He is a tool and any military serviceman can see that. I'm a former marine myself and I can't stand this smug bastard.
Could it be because the Dems I voted in are spineless lousers, cowards, and politically calculating at the expense of our troops live opportunists?
I won't be voting Dem again.
The democrats are the mature adults simply watching as this goes on, too spineless to intervene despite the fact they know better.
Funny, I am Democratic. I wonder if we take this third party exercise of commenting on issues too far. I don't think in the way in which you noted. It helps me to know I am being too general at times. There are people like you and I who may call ourselves Democrats. Can one group's action be attributed to everyone outside of that group?
We need to take the steam out of the Republican plot to label their opposition spineless and less then they are. I have had 12 years too many dealing with Republican misrule. They have really fucked this country up, and Ron Paul is not going to fix it. The Democrats have been in charge of the congress and senate for 7 months. I can wait a little longer for "my" Party to get their shit together, or veto proof houses. After all, I am one of them.
Joseph
We're dissatisfied with Congress because we want impeachment.
Impeach Bush. Impeach Cheney. Impeach them now.
JUST AS LIEBERMAN that elmer fudd of politics holds the dems over the fire with the hollow threat of throwing his vote to the other side, we are in that same hollow threat position. we despise what our own side has done or more exactly what they have not done, we want impeachment, this was made crystal clear to them when they duped us into stumping for them in the last election. now that they have shown they are in reality no better than the snakes across the aisle, we want to speak with our vote. but we must be wary. vote for ron paul and you get not only his iraq stance, but the whole package. take care that we don't Ralph Nader it by spltting the vote and allowing someone as loathsome as a thompson to sneak in the back door. so here we are, grinding our teeth, wanting to do something meaningful and not having a clue as to where we go from here. of course, i'm only speaking for myself. perhaps others have a clue. i sure would like to know what it is. gore is the only one i can think of who is honest and bright enough that swing it. but, He's NOT RUNNING?
That poll is ENTIRE BULLSHIT. But if you want to make up 1,000 people and extrapolate that to 200 million, g'head. It's just as easy as the way AP/Ipsos produces such push-polling.
wonder why dems seem hamstrung, even with majorities?
over the last twenty years, since reagan killed the Fairness Doctrine, the right wing talk radio monopoly and it's nationally broadcast uncontested repetition into the near-captive auditory orifices of tens of millions has come to be the table setter for the rest of the MSM and progressives don't have a clue.
media critics and activists and politicians read and listen to music and there are no searchable transcripts documenting the patterns of uncontested repetition of talking points, lies, swiftboating, and distortions and how they show up later in the day or week to be regurgitated on TV and print.
the reason the dem party often can't do what seems obvious is they are playing the media game without a front line. the whole spectrum is skewed right because of the talk radio monopoly that constantly distorts, lies about, and swiftboats anyone or anything progressive and constantly makes excuses for anything bush. until that monopoly is fixed dems will always be on the defensive except when they can investigate, follow the rule of law, and build a case, which it seems thay are doing now.
except for regular listening (know thy enemy) there is no way to know how effectively that uncontested repetition broadcast over public airwaves has been dumbing down not only the tens of millions of listeners who often have little choice for current events but also the lazy MSM talking heads, editors, etc. who use that repetition like a giant bandwagon of one liners they can ride across TV and print.
as long as progressives continue to ignore the fact that this bush mess could not have happened without the talk radio monopoly they run the risk of it happening over and over. until the monopoly is broken progressives will continue to frame and strategize in a vacuum.
if dems really want to see a difference they will call and tell their local talk radio stations and their sponsors they don't appreciate it when their chickenhawk blowhards with giant soapboxes use public airwavess to threaten and lie about their representatives. maybe that's the place to take the anti war protest, because bush couldn't have sold this tragic american disaster without them.
Medical Diagnosis by Video @ 105:
Then you will be assisting the Republicans. There are no other realistic alternatives.
I believe the Dems have done a good job painting a nice picture of just how screwed up the Repugs are. Nearly every bill that has been proposed is another brush stroke. With all the veto threats of Bills that help everyday people, not just the top 1% , Bush and his dead earth party fall further and further away from most peoples needs. Notice that when polled about which party should be in control, the Dems lead by 13%-15% over dead earthers. The public in general is just very unhappy about Iraq right now and I think that brings the approval numbers down.
It could also be that the public is not happy mainly with the Repugs in Congress(given the 13%-15% number I mentioned), and they bring down the overall number of the Congress as a whole.
Richard, the poll is HORSE FEATHERS.
Push-polling produces WHATEVER you want to prove. Call 1,000 persons, OR SAY YOU DID, there is no audit, and write down what you want as your results.
As you can see in #108, the thesis by AP/Ipsos is that people view the 110th Congress in such a poor light because people don't like the Congress to fight with the Executive! They adduce quotations to show how their so-called 'respondents' talked of that concern.
• So, with 65% of so of the country thinking that Bush is a liar and fool, what 80 percent of the country wants is Congress to get off Bush's back, right?
Wrong. I'm just sorry that C & L didn't miss this chance to "catapult the propaganda."
Medical Diagnosis by Video @ 105:
You never did. You vote for your boss.
Bob Roberts @ 111:
Bob, you seem to have misspelled "ASS-KISSING."
If they would sink their teeth into Bush/Cheney, and do something meaningfull to stop them, their approval would skyrocket. Let's say they put impeachment of both George and Dick on the table. As it is now, they lack approval from both sides. Bush will always have that 28%; they're the one enbalmed in Koolaid. Dems have to prove their worth, which they haven't done. They come across as timid: Bush has cowered them. They need to start using all the powers a Congress has and forcefully!!!!! No messing around. All is fair in love and war (they say), and this is war.
well, let's just keep blindly supporting these ineffectual beltway wonks forever.
I'm dissatified with Congress, too. But it has nothing to do with too much fighting. It's mostly that the Democratic leadership is not fighting hard enough. they are continually caving in on matters of principle and they are still giving Bush and his evil regime a free hand. They should have impeached him and Cheney long before now. They should be addressing the rape of our Constitution. Instead, they're mostly playing with themselves. I'm ready to impeach or recall Pelosi and Reid and Hoyer and all the other corporatist whores. They make great theater at making excuses or pretending there's nothing they can do, and while they do the country keeps getting flushed down the toilet. If they aren't going to do their jobs, they need to resign.
This isn't surprising.
Not when the MSM keeps spinning headlines and articles to imply that the Democratic-controlled Congress can't seem to get anything done and reverse some of the grievous damage done to our Democracy by the "culture of corruption" Republicans...because the Democrats just can't seem to get anything done.
Of course, this blows off the fact that the Republicans, especially "loyal Bushie," un-American Republicans in the Senate using the filibuster, have been blocking Democratic and moderate Republican attempts to rein in the Bush/Cheney reign of greed and terror.
Thus, just like in all Republican spin, American citizens are being misled and deceived, including I presume even in the polls.
The Vice President tells one of the Democratic leaders on the House floor to go *uck himself. Poll after poll says the American people support the Baker Hamilton plan and what do we get from this Congress? Non-bonding resolutions. Get a spine and protect middle class American and our troops from the neocons.
i hear a lot of whining about innefective dem reps but i don't see many people in the streets to back them up.
any time a dem rep says it like it is some frat boy blowhard chickenhawk with a 50,000 watt 20-state megaphone can say anything he wants to get thousands of dittoheads to call and scream obscenities at their office staff. dems hardly even notice because talk radio gives them a headache..
real democracy is impossible as long as the right wing has a complete monopoly on the the radio airwaves.
pelosi and reid are failures solely responsible for congress's low satisfaction numbers.
These two weasels got to go !
"The 24 percent approval rating for Congress " was not a surprise! WE DON"T need the Polls to tell us that. WE ARE NOT idiots, we are more in touch with the people that are those in the WHITE HOUSE or CONGRESS. WE are NOT unfamiliar with what is going on there either.
We are just being CALM before the STORM........................................................................................................................
Court of Progressive Justice @ 122:
Remember to attack Dems as often as possible.
ESPECIALLY if the AP/Ipsos push-poll of a thousand (extrapolated to 200 million) tells you to. And especially if it was intended to sell the ABSURD idea that Americans are unhappy with Congress for bickering with Bush.
You Dem-bashers apparently didn't read the poll -- they are saying the (bullshit) low approval is because the Congress is not approving Bush's policies right out of the toilet the come from. IN OTHER WORDS, the exact opposite of what you are saying.
But nevermind, what's some cognitive dissonance?
I am all in favor of reforming the government of this country, but first we must get rid of the republicans. They are the SPOILERS.
John Grubesic instead of Harry Reid as leader 1. Kucinich instead of Pelosi as leader 2. impeachment action is backbone.
oops sorry wrong senate. new mexico.
Court of Progressive Justice @ 122:
Republican tool.
A meaningless question: "Do you approve of Congresss?"
A meaningful question: "Do you approve of your congressional representatives?"
It's time we stopped giving so much analysis to data that lacks any validity.
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