Guess why Congress poll numbers are so bad: Republicans
By John Amato Tuesday Jan 06, 2009 12:07pm
We've heard and seen many news reports about how unpopular Congress is with the American people. And it is at an all time low, but what most TV analysts are refusing to point out is that it's the Republicans in Congress that are dragging down the approval rating. As a new Gallup poll shows us--Republicans in Congress Less Popular Than Bush:
As Gallup showed last month, congressional Democrats are significantly more esteemed than Bush-- and significantly more esteemed than their Republican colleagues in Congress. According to the latest Gallup Poll, 67% of Americans disapprove of Bush, while 69% disapprove of Republicans in the House and Senate and only 55% disapprove of Democrats in the House and Senate.
I've talked to some of our Blue America candidates and they told me that since '06, the Republicans did everything they could to block and obstruct the daily business of the Congress in hopes that America would have a bad opinion of the House and Senate and it would lead to them retaking or making big gains in '08 and 2010.
The 25% approval rating for the Republicans in Congress establishes a new Gallup Poll low, surpassing the 26% measured about this time last year. Gallup first began asking about approval of the Congressional parties in 1999.
Well, Americans aren't buying their me first---America second attitude and in the end if they obstruct Obama's agenda from the outset then they will only fall deeper into the dark hole they have dug for themselves and America. I'm hoping they do just that so it knocks out some of the bipartisan rhetoric Obama is using, because they will not be willing players in the restoration of America and hand Obama a win. Never. Going. To. Happen. I think Obama will get his first stimulus package through with some grumblings from the Mitch McConnell wing and then it'll go downhill from there.
As the Gallup poll points out for all to see: Nobody likes "Republicans."
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Well...DUUUUUH!
You mean to tell us that the right wingnuts leave out crucial details when they create their soundbytes & talking points....
I refuse to believe that! HA!
The MSM reports it wrong? Or should we call them what they are. Mainstream Propaganda.
The media is controlled by us nasty libruls, how can it be wrong?
Damn...I can't type worth a shit today...
I thought maybe there was a chance the voters of San Francisco might show Nanny Pelosi the door but alas, they swept her back into power.
Now the people of Nevada have a chance to sweep Limp Noodle Reid out of office but my guess is, he will be returned.
You just can't get rid of these people. They're like a fungus.
A nasty fungus like perpetual jock-itch, which is pretty amusing because there isn't a set of balls between the entire lot.
These clowns have their head so far up their ass they really think this will work. Wait until Obama unleashes his network on them. I don't know about you, but I'm still getting regular emails from them and will send emails, make phone calls, etc. any time the Thugs start in. They will only further isolate themselves.
yet, the congressional dems still cave when challenged by the right...
completely pathetic.
(although the [very deserved] low approval rating of 37% for the congressional dems isn't much to crow about)
Yes while its painfully obvious that the Pugs have been blocking and obstructing everything since '06,it is also apparent that the Dems have proven to be a spineless,if not outright complicit pack of weasels which has certainly pissed off the leftwing.
As John points out,maybe Obama will begin to see that "bipartisan" for the Pugs moves in one direction,with the Dems making ALL of the concessions.Perhaps then he'll start moving a little more to the Left,although in truth I'm not holding out much hope on that front.
I think his admin. will mirror the Clinton one in many ways,which admittedly is a big improvement over the Bush cartel.
that this is not a new development in the MO of the republicans. Heck I remember the GOP shut down the f*cking government during the hey day of the "Contract on America" in the 90s. Heck, they impeached a sitting president over a blowjob because they had nothing else...
If Obama is just realizing that now, god help us all... How fucking clueless is he? I really doubt he is that clueless. So I am just fascinated (in a horrific kind of way) by all his talk of kissing and making up with the extreme right.
who had a piece today on the rationale of working with goopers:
It remains to be seen how this all shakes out.
Those that don't learn from history are doomed to repeat it.
Please don't malign my Pug dogs by intimating they're Republicans.
He swears each evening that the Democrats in power of the House and Senate are responsible for this Nations ills.
If only. I am sick of these anti-American shitheads on the teevees spewing constant bullshit.
I would so love to see a bunch of exploding heads. My hat is off to Senator Franken!
Because only 55% disapprove of them.
...and yes, I'll take a 55% disapproval rating over 69% any day.
And unfortunately the Dem leadership in Congress will say exactly that too. I prefer the odor of dog offal to cat leavings, but I would rather they both pooped outside more often.
The "they all suck" philosophy is a ploy created by the Conservatives to drag Progressives into the cesspool the Repukes are responsible for from 94' to 06'. Stop buying.
will get us further than your busted axle.
will get you further than your flat tire!
HA!
Sanjay Gupta from “House Call” as surgeon general!
please, I haven't had lunch yet and I ain't in the mood to lose appetite.
I’m as serious as a heart attack!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sanjay_Gupta
think of it as relief for threatened potential patients.
"President-elect Barack Obama has offered the job of surgeon general to Dr. Sanjay Gupta, the neurosurgeon and correspondent for CNN and CBS, according to two sources with knowledge of the situation."
it just gets worse and worse....
Sanjay Gupta...what's wrong with him?
to me: sanjay is a flake. a media whore. a compromised buffoon, posing as a newsmodel. and i find cnn, and anyone connected with cnn, a joke.
but, in all honesty, judge for yourself.
check this out, if you have a second:
http://www.bradblog.com/?p=4800
http://www.michaelmoore.com/sicko/news/articl...
(note: i am not a huge fan of m.moore)
I don't watch CNN...at all.
I just read about the Michael Moore incident.
I think Moore's alright...but sometimes is a bit much.
And I'm not diggin this Gupta cat too much...seems he's not on the level.
WTF Obama?
This ain't a damn United Colors of Benneton ad...you don't have to fill the cabinet with every damn ethnicity on the planet...how about some QUALIFIED folks, who ain't in the pocket of any damn corporation??!
How's that sound?
Like CHANGE maybe?
period.
He seems to be a tool of the HMO/Pharma conglomerates. My wife is a surgeon, and she teared up when watching sicko because she sees that reality EVERY FUCKING DAY. The only reason why I know this Gupta feller at all is because he did what a good corporate whore does; he went on full throttle damage control the weeks after Sicko's release. My wife found that disgusting, and basically he is the incarnation of some of the things she hates about the medical establishment in this country.
That being said, the surgeon general office is more of a symbolic position. Which may suit Dr. Gupta just fine since he seems to be comfortable away from real medical practice on anything that will provide him some face time.
This does not bode well for any sort of real change in our current health care woes. Daschle is way too timid to effect the sweeping changes we need in our healthcare system, and Gupta it too much of a whore to rock the boat.
If this is the change Obama believes in, well... color me unimpressed.
This is an awful choice for SG. Jebus Cripes on a crisp. Gupta? Spare. Me.
Oh, well... my wife thinks the choice is incredibly insulting.
And this sort of blows the argument of him choosing people based on "competence" over political affiliation.
Anyhow, godspeed to Obama... he will need it. I am lucky enough to be in a position where I don't depend on a charlatan to take care of my future, but I am worried about the rest of the country. 2009 may be a fairly interesting year.
He was awful on American Idol, but people kept voting for him anyway..........
has he ever treated Rick Warren?
Maybe, they play doctor...
Dr. Phil was a close second.
HOWARD DEAN is an MD, what's Obama smoking?
...I can't think of anyone in the US Congress that I would describe with the word "Esteemed"??!!!
And his name is Kucinich...of the clan Kucinich!
i would sacrifce my left nut to have had an honorable man like kucinich as president, the offers still open! oh im whineing again, tee hee
LOL!
Seriously though...I think that shit really would change for the better if the Koooch was preznit.
well then if we both gave up just one apiece maby we could get the kooch to replace the gooch!
it would have been most interesting liberal to see who kucinich picked as vp and the rest of his cabbinet, judgeing from obummers picks thier must not be much to pick from!
than mere juevos soon Tyree...
Yeah...I still get emails from the Kucinich people...I donate when I can...
I hope he runs again...
A couple of members here and there.
Pretty sad though, how many hundreds of seats are in the house?
Ron Paul and Dennis Kucinich.
Kucinich, yes, but Paul's a real cuckoo. Just because he's correct on Iraq doesn't mean he's not a nut on other things......
Ron Paul got a ton of cred for being against the war, and speaking out against it while no other gooper would. Yeah, that's fine, but look at the rest of his "platform." You are right on, Matt. He is nuckin' futs.
kucinich has more integrity, honesty, courage and fire than all of the other congress people combined.
yet, i do think ron paul is a man of integrity and courage. i just find his policy prescriptions dangerous and misguided. but i believe he truly believes they would be efficacious.... and for that I give him credit.
55% vs. 69% still means that a majority of Americans disapprove either party.
Granted the GOPers are more "disapproved" but it does not seem to be a cause for celebration.
Or are our expectations so low, that basically saying "we suck a tad less" is now a panacea?
Howse about. "Think we Suck? You bite worse than Bush. And Obama better damn call me before the NY Times gets a leak."
I think the world is not ready yet for your brand of humor.
We're still gettin used to ysbaddaden's humor.
when he is off the sauce...
dude.
Sometimes even while on the sauce.
I have to disagree. It isn't just the Republicans that Americans are tired of. I could be wrong, but I think the situation is similar to Canada's politics right now. Nobody stepping forward that would rush people to vote for them. Obama did well in that regard, but what was the alternative? Really, it was a collection of the same old hacks that have been in Washington forever that was running for both parties. I think Americans, like Canadians, are sick and tired of lying corrupt fraudulent politicians. Promises broken reflect lies, not reality, no matter how political parties spin it. People are tired of being lied to and tired of watching rich people get richer while the poor continue to struggle.
Either that, or.....maybe Americans hate Republicans.
except that americans are hating incumbents of both parties.
Did you miss the last election where nearly all of them kept their seat????
THE VOTING MACHINES.
Yeah some Congressional TERM LIMITS would be greatly appreciated and help that situation.
Until I look at Feingold and Kucinich. I would not want to lose either of them.
despite his rhetoric.
The Man!!!!!!!!!!!
A 55% disapproval rating isn't a badge of honor.
About their approval ratings. they have power. that's all that matters to them.
Bush has a 29% approval rating? 29% of the US approves of his holidaying? Wow.
he hasn't gone on holiday enough. That is why his ratings are low.
We'd be happy is all he f...ed with was brush.
Remember, you get the government you deserve. How can both parties have such low approval ratings but these losers still get re-elected? Because when you chose the lesser of two evils, you still get evil. Or, as Tyler Durden put it, some just suck less than the others. Again, not something to crow about. It is sad that we, as Americans, can somehow find our (sel)elected representives reprehensible performance something to cheer about because a D sucks less than an R. THEY BOTH STILL SUCK!
have to wonder if the Dems would be higher in approvals if the MSM/MSP (Main Stream Propaganda) reported on how the republicans block and filibuster everything the dems try to pass. Over 100 filibusters since 06.
And god forbid you bring that up to a republican at the bar when they blame the economy on dems...
You should SEE the look of fear and desperation flash acroos their face before it becomes clouded with anger.
I love it.
fear and desperation.
Who passed the bank bailout? Who embraces big brother policies that do nothing positive for American people? (hows that SEC or Dept of Ed working out for ya?) Who has the power to stop this war and sits on their hands (or repositions an already exhausted force to Afghanistan)?
What party is trying to reinstate the draft? (I mean 'mandatory service') http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HtDSwyCPEsQ
You gotta love liberals. Watching them pucker up to big brother reminds me of a 70's porno. Full of hair and bad music...
Only once this empire collapses will people (hopefully) pull their heads out of their arses. 'Id like to suggest there is no right or left, only up or down.' Reagan
And Reagan would know as he took this country down, down, down.
where to start?
trying to lay the blame for all that shit on the dems?
I ain't the smartest man in the world, not by a long shot...
I am fully aware that both parties are complicit in the sorry state of affairs in this nation, and the world. But mostly, it's the repugs fault...they're a bunch of fascist, bible bangin warmongers who want the world to convert to xtianity
But saying it's the dems fault exclusively is just plain wrong.
And by quoting Reagan...lol...you just showed your true colors...red.
I have been making this point to friends and family for years now. I ask them to look up the 110th congress (via google or in Wikipedia and signing statements as well). That usually changes their perspective.... especially when they read through what has been vetoed, who it was vetoed by and what was not enacted and why. Unfortunately, some people do not take the time to learn about what has been going on and only discuss/argue/opine using talking points that have been plastered out there.
would approve of congress should the dems actually get some backbone and make the gooper assholes filibuster. Screw the threats of one, break out the cots, leave them in the halls and let the bitchin' begin.
Make them filibuster each and every time. Not one pass.
The only disapproval dems would get then are the diehard goopers who are nuts or clueless or both anyway.
repugs and their press minions....
We are stuck with crap.
"most TV analysts are refusing to point out is that it's the Republicans in Congress that are dragging down the approval rating"
I respectfully differ. I think all parties (RNC & DNC) have their share of bad apples. White Colar Criminals and Corrupt Politicians and their complicits (which includes to all powerfull media that pushes such propaganda)and the are fueling distrust and dragging our nation to a near collapse. On top of this mix are the GREEDY and irresponsible people who have participated in bilking the system for a quick fix to their addiction to materialism in order to compensate for their shortcomings. Everyone has a share in the mess we are in.
It will take some real drastic measures to restore CREDIBILITY. It will take self-examination and confronting reality instead of pointing fingers and continuing to be in denial.
It take SELF-HONESTY and SELF RESPECT. Without respect we as a society will not attain RESPECT back into our WORLD.
What OUR SOCIETY has become is a REFLECTION of the LEADERSHIP that we as PEOPLE allowed to run amok OUR BELOVED NATION.
WE WILL BE PAYING FOR OUR SINS............OUR CHILDREN will bare the CROSS.
In order to repent....WE MUST...first work to restore CONFIDENCE or risk creating MORE damages to what is left of our LIVELIHOOD.
Let us begin as a society and insist for action and requiring our public servants to practice and follow our US Constitution. Prosecute those responsible for damaging our nation. Our Nation Allies must participate in the process to find and prosecute the guilty and NOT allow these CRIMINAL get AWAY unscathed.
Without a clear message that we will not tolerate EVIL, it will continue to florish and EMERGE as near as our doorsteps.
It only took 8 years of BUSH "hard work" for our 200 years of struggle to nearly vanish. WE AS PEOPLE (as AMERICANS not as REPUBLICANS, DEMOCRATS or RELIGION, etc) must navigate our nation back to the RIGHT direction or risk the completion of our own demise (COLLAPSE).
and that has not stopped harry and nancy from supporting the repug agenda without hesitation. from not seating Franken to opposing Obama's appointments.
this opinion is not restricted to dems.
behind Franken being delayed in taking his rightful place as Senator.
Not Reid and Pelosi.
Reid And Durbin Say Franken Won't Be Seated With New Senate Class
the reason Franken didn't get seated is because the filibuster threshold changes depending on how many sitting Senators there are. with 59 Dems, they go one out of reach, so for now its 57. Reid is an idiot, but this is not some vast conspiracy.
It is complicity without a doubt. the only things reid has opposed in the last two years is Democratic Party initiatives.
I'm outta here.
Y'all play nice amongst yourselves ok!?
The Dems have controlled Congress for two years, handed a huge taxpayer bailout to banksters.. one that 80%+ of the American people did not support. The Dems are a bunch of wanksters. Keep blaming the other party.. Im sure that whole 'divide and conquer' theory will work out great for you.
It amazes me that 95% of those up for re-election kept their seat. Thats Repub or Dem. It goes to show that Americans are simply apathetic.
you're conveniently glossing over who was in the WH. Give it another shot.
But that would mean that the Dems were actually some sort of "opposition" party.
They aren't. They are all owned by the same Big Money. ALL OF THEM.
"The Dems have controlled Congress for two years.."
No they have not.The Republicans vote in lock step on almost every issue where as the Dems are usually split.In addition,the Republicans have been firmly and intractably in power for 8 long years and have never given an inch on anything.
are absolutely obstructionist!
..what the rating for Congress, Democrats, etc. would have been had Sen. Pelosi NOT taken impeachment off the table. As it is, 55% for Dems in Congress is NOT great but had they DONE THEIR JOB IN TERMS OF OVERSIGHT OF THE EXECUTIVE, they'd probably be more popular. Well, with me anyway.
I believe if we were to look at individuals, his ratings would be polar opposite because he actually did oversight (yeah, yeah, yeah...letter after letter but it's not like he had power alone to do anything. Reid and Pelosi have got to go!)
but nobody likes the Dems in Congress either, except for a couple of notable exceptions. Dems can't sit back thinking everybody loves them, its not the truth. everybody does hate the republicans, yes, but if the Dems don't perform, they'll be back in the crapper in no time. really, they're almost there now. those numbers don't look too good for them either.
Democrats suck, too.
The entire gad damned bunch sucks, with only three or four exceptions.
Sorry to break the news to you like this.
you just said a mouthfull !exactly they mostly suck on the same corporate tits! with the exception of dennis kucinich ,the kooch rocks , the only guy with the balls to call for bush and chenys head,
Sucking on tits and calling for head?!?! Man, that Kucinich IS my hero!!!
yes the old half and half it works swell even in politics, dennis is the man!
This graph doesn't prove the democrats are better than republicans so much as it proves that both are pretty well despised. And yet the commentary below the graph says this shows the Democrats are more esteemed? That is the true misrepresentation. I don't think in terms of parties any longer. I recognize honest and courageous individuals. My dream team includes Ron Paul, Dennis Kucinich, Ralph Nader, Jesse Ventura and Cynthia McKinney. They don't necessarily share all the same policies but they're honest and they've got guts.
can't help themselves, can they? Does anyone REALLY think this is going to happen like this? In all honesty? If it does, it would prob be the first legislation EVER passed anywhere that didn't include "pork".....
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/28525113/
So is he lying? Is he saying that there is anything he can do about it?
is he moveing his mouth then its a good bet he is!
I've never heard of any legislation anywhere that didn't have pork attached..but this "stimulus" is essentially all pork isn't it?
is not like an oath.
Kinda like wedding vows?
Obama will take his second federal Oath of office very soon.
he will take an oath to uphold preserve and defend the constitution of the United States of America. ...against all enemies foriegn and domestic...
He took an Oath before...when he became a senator from Illonois,
and violated it when he voted to re-authorize the patriot act...
...lets see how he does the second time around...
you forgot the betrayal on the fisa vote, ect ect! one after the other say werent most of his votes on bills the same ones bush wanted passed?
...I just get tired of typing it over..and over...sigh...!
yeah !i hear you!
When it comes to the economy, how much do you trust Congress to do the right thing?http://caffertyfile.blogs.cnn.com/2009/01/06/economy-do-you-trust-congress/
Read some of the answers. It's obvious that most don't distinguish between Dems and Reps.
well if they ever do start obummers wpa, the contractors will figure out how to turn it into pork for them, cost over runs, shoddy materials , paying for materials never bought , shoddy work being done by hacks, green jobs where they pay two times more then the cost of renting buildings worth, transportation costs jacked up by contractors , equipment being bought such as backhoes cats ect by friends of a company owner with kickbacks insurance overpriced medical services given to party hacks the list is endless might as well put that wpa money on skids headed to iraq!,
You are prob pretty close to the truth. Government run programs are usually full of back scratching and waste. Ontario Hydro up here is a perfect example of government gone batshit crazy.
Holy polling, Batman!
...Now while W may not get how much he has screwed things up going back to Texas, does his father not get it either when he says he wants his other son, Jeb, as the next POTUS after O? That would be a record family dynasty of up to 3 Bushes!
Jeb may hardly be any better, if that.
Here is a favorite Republican WingNut LIE.
When the poll question options are multiple choice instead of merely "Approve" vs "Disapprove" and the respondent must choose from among some variaton of "Excellent", "Fair" and "Poor", Republican WingNuts ONLY count the "Excellent" share as a stand-in for an approval rating when, in reality, a "Fair" rating for any member of government is an APPROVAL rating. Trust me, EVERY member of Congress would love to head into an election with a high "Fair" rating from his constituents. Very few constituents expect more than a fair performance from our government and we're usually shocked and delighted when we get it.
Consequently, when only 9% of the poll respondents choose "Excellent" while 40% choose "Fair", the pro-Republican't mainstream media shout the headline that "The Democratic Congress only has a 9% approval rating!"
The pro-Republican mainstream media is LYING to their audience about the real rating in that poll on Congress' approval when they only cite the 9% "Excellent" rating as an approval rating.
But here's the question I wish someone would ask these mainstream mediots when, the following week, another poll that DID give their respondents a simple "Approve" vs "Disapprove" option shows Congress with a 27% Approval rating, but no one ever does:
"So, how about that Democratic Congress improving their APPROVAL rating by 200 PERCENT in a single week?!"
with getting truth out to the public. As long as the rethug's co-conspirators, the corporate media, are allowed to continue their propaganda, we've got a tough row to hoe in saving this nation.
since about five minutes after the votes were counted in 2006.
Now, that stated... I also agree that the Dems DID cave in to political pressure over support of Bush's SURGE in Iraq and the continued funding of the Occupation... because their majority was SO SLIM. HOWEVER, Republicans went into OBSTRUCTION MODE so fast it made heads spin. Remember how they yelled and screemed "OBSTRUCTIONISTS!" when Daschel turned a 50-50 stand-off into a 51-49 Dem Senate? The Repugs are simply practicing PAYBACK politics... EXACTLY what we all voted against when WE cast all those "CHANGE WE CAN BELIEVE IN" votes.
Starting sometime after noon on Janyary 20... our dear friends, The Republicans, will not simply begin to experience the same PAYBACK we got from them for two years. They will finally get a taste of well-deserved POLITICAL OBLITERATION. The people spoke... and they are now PERSONA NON GRATA, OBSOLETE, HISTORICALLY FOOT-NOTED, AND RELAGATED TO THE BACK OF THE BUS.
It's always annoyed me that the MSM never talked about why Congress is unpopular. They're too fearful I suppose. When the Republicans were in the majority they acted like puppets for Bush and did nothing for the American people (unless you were rich or a corporation). As the minority Party, they've been obstructionists. The question has been asked as to whether they will work with Obama to fix the economy. I predict it's not very likely, given their history. There's been no indication they've gotten any smarter or are willing to change since getting spanked in the election.
It's funny how and when this media and pollsters release information> I recall during the campaign how many GOP talking point heads used the low congressional approval numbers as a reason for the justifying their lies and distortion on possible voting outcomes.
Why didn't this obvious conclusion come out during the campagin. HMMMMMMMM
I'll be the first to admit that Republicans are worse than Democrats, but this graph truly illustrates something that I've begun to realize the last few months - Democrats truly are the lesser of two evils. Just look at the numbers. But more interesting than the numbers themselves is the way they are characterized. The commentary reads, "As Gallup showed last month, congressional Democrats are significantly more ESTEEMED than Bush-- and significantly more ESTEEMED than their Republican colleagues in Congress."
Significantly more esteemed! That's a completely misleading way to put it when nearly 20% more people disapprove of the Democrats than approve. A more honest representation of the statistics would be to say that the Democrats are significantly less DESPISED than their Republican colleagues. And before you write me off as some Democrat-basher, understand that I actually voted for Obama and Democrats across the board this election. Now, however, my dream team includes politicans like Ralph Nader, Ron Paul, Dennis Kucinich, Cynthia McKinney and Jesse Ventura and anyone else who will stand up to this two-party corporate governance. I support individuals now, not parties.
As a recovering Democrat I want to say to you all that you must not be blinded by your partisan allegiance which this site often nurtures. Look at that graph again and tell me it doesn't show both parties suck and the Democrats are nothing more than the lesser of two corporate evils. I'd love to hear a response to this.
{Deleted, This is a private blog (on line magazine) You know where the door is. SiteMonitor}
Wow, you actually censored my comment just because I questioned the merits of one of your writers? It wasn't even vulgar or libelous. So insecure you guys can't even withstand a little criticism? Why not just debate me with a reply? Wouldn't that be a bit more mature? It seems your blog supports freedom of speech as long as you don't disagree. You guys really need to wake up! This partisan posturing is exactly what the true masters rely upon. Parties are an illusion! Principles and truth is all that matters! Obama will not save us! He wants to send more troops to Afghanistan for god sakes! He voted for the FISA bill so the government could spy on us! Go to infowars.com and stop censuring people when they point out John Amato is misleading readers with biased posts.
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