Why does Congress have a 19% approval rating?

[4_Legs_Good]

That's about 1/2 of Bush's approval rating.

Congress always has a bad approval rating.

What would it take for Congress to have a >70% approval rating?

Just curious. I don't know if I approve or disapprove of Congress. I know I disapprove of my Congressman, greatly approve of one of my Senators and am split on the other, but of Congress in general?

David

[davepc]

1. Repulicans hate the Democratic majority. And Democrats hate that they don't stand up to *

and end the war, which is within their power.

[4_Legs_Good]

5. That's basically what I was thinking.

But is there any hope that Congress might one day have a positive approval rating?

And why, when it has such a low rating, don't we just throw everyone out? The retention rate in Congress is rediculous.

David

[Uncle Joe]

13. I agree with your analysis and comparing a body consisting

of both major political parties and over 500 members to a single individual leader such a President is the equivalent of comparing apples to cherry tomatoes, however the corporate media love to do that nonetheless as a prop or qualifier against Bush's dismal standing among the American People.

[Winterblues]

22. Apples are red, cherry tomatos are red

What's the problem? :shrug:

[Uncle Joe]

23. Bobbing for cherry tomatoes is no challenge and

they make a lousy pie.

On the other hand I prefer to make my spaghetti sauce with them although the Roma tomatoes also work well.

[calimary]

2. Lack of backbone will do that.

Although sometimes they do seem to grow a little bit of one (like in the latest FISA vote). But those examples are still far too infrequent.

[mediaman007]

3. Because Democrats are upset with Democrats for not acting

as a majority. Democrats are always upset with Republicans, too. On the other hand Republicans wouldn't support any of the actions of the Democrats, but heavily applaud the divisive Republican minority.

Just sayin'

[Fresh_Start]

4. I think part of the problem is that there are over 600 people

to disapprove in Congress.

So you are comparing disapprovals which may be mixed...for example I approve of my Congresscritter but you're Congresscritter is an incompetent baboon. Do I disapprove of Congress in the survey or do I approve?

But that's an assumption.

[liberal N proud]

6. Maybe because they have not impeached bu$h and Cheney?

Maybe because they have continued to enable the maniacs policies?

[spanone]

7. impeach the bastids

:argh: :argh: :argh: :argh: :argh: :argh: :argh: :argh: :argh: :argh: :argh: :argh: :argh: :argh: :argh: :argh: :argh: :argh: :argh: :argh: :argh: :argh: :argh: :argh: :argh: :argh: :argh: :argh: :argh: :argh: :argh: :argh: :argh: :argh: :argh: :argh: :argh: :argh: :argh: :argh: :argh: :argh: :argh: :argh: :argh: :argh: :argh: :argh: :argh: :argh: :argh: :argh: :argh: :argh: :argh: :argh: :argh: :argh: :argh: :argh: :argh: :argh: :argh: :argh: :argh: :argh: :argh: :argh: :argh: :argh: :argh: :argh: :argh: :argh: :argh: :argh: :argh: :argh: :argh: :argh: :argh: :argh: :argh: :argh: :argh: :argh:

[lumberjack_jeff]

8. Because it's worse to follow a known idiot, than to be one yourself. n/t

[Bill McBlueState]

9. I think that's pretty typical

It's much easier to disapprove of a large, anonymous body than it is to disapprove of an individual. So people who aren't following politics will be inclined to like their particular Congressman, but disapprove of the body as a whole.

[Wizard777]

10. "Impeachment is off the table."

But after the telecom immunity defeat. Their numbers might be moving up.

[devilgrrl]

11. Because Rahm Emanuel is running things.

:popcorn:

[Jack Rabbit]

12. They failed to protect us from Bush

They have not ended the war in Iraq. To do so would require the impeachment of Bush and Cheney, since short of impeachment they probably would draw unappropriated funds from the treasury to keep the war going. For some reason known only to Ms. Pelosi, that was off the table.

[Common Sense Party]

14. Because they routinely ignore real, grave problems the country

faces and they instead suck up to favorite constituencies and special interest donors.

[depakid]

15. Cowardice and complicity

along with perceptions of impotence.

[slampoet]

16. "My Congressperson is decent but the one from your district SUCKS!"

I hear it all over America.

[BlueManDude]

17. GOP haters and disappointed Dems. However...

don't take this as a sign that America wants the GOP back in control on Capitol Hill.

[Selatius]

18. The Corporate News Media fails to inform. nt

[opihimoimoi]

19. The Pubs are doing a lot of it...They gain if the perception shows Congress not having good numbers

Evil fuckers those Pubs....stealth is their mode...social engeering is their Goal....look at the loads of evidence all around this Nation....

Ya gatta be impaired or had a Lobot in the past not to see, feel it....

[stillcool]

20. Because every law they enact...

protects business interests and fucks people. And even though they piss and moan, they eventually give the Administration everything they want. Rubber stamp Congress, signing our rights away.

[Johonny]

21. The make up of congress

The Republicans in congress have been the most obstructionist in the history of Congress. At the same time the Democrats do not have a large enough majority to force legislation through. At the same time the president has decided to make petty in fighting the norm. The result is a stagnant Congress that hasn't been able to move in the political direction most of the population has moved to.

[KharmaTrain]

24. People Love To Hate Politicians

I can't remember too many polls where the popularity has been that high...especially in the past decade. That low rating is a byproduct of the bitter partisanship that exists...it's cool to hate politicians. You hate your politician since he/she is not liberal or conservative enough and you hate the guys in the other party cause they're guys in the other party.

Also...while the overall ratings are down, that's not the case in each district. It's the old game that every congressman is corrupt except mine. So even thought the "approval" is so low, there are few incumbents who will lose their seats and some will win their elections with 75% or more of the vote.

As usual...polls can tell you a lot about nothing.

[warren pease]

25. I dunno... sounds a little high to me.

Because sometimes strongly worded letters and stern words at news conferences just aren't enough.

Because they lied about ending the Iraq occupation to get elected, and now they're busily keeping their heads down so they can get reelected despite the fact that they've done almost nothing to deserve it.

Because most Americans really hate candy asses.

Because invertebrates aren't in style this year.

Because in town after town, city after city, the roar of frustration at Pelosi's insane stand against impeachment is growing louder and louder, and Ms. Nancy just responds by getting better ear plugs.

Because Harry Reid is an accommodating asshole who deliberately subverts other Dem senators, like Dodd, who seem to have their priorities straight. Telecom immunity means BushCo immunity, he knows it, and still went with the GOP-approved version of the bill when he had the choice to do the right thing or the BushCo thing. As per fucking usual.

Because if I hear one more dem describe one more BushCo outrage as "unfortunate" or "disappointing," and one more of BushCo's blatant lies as "an unfortunate misstatement," I'm going go nuts and beat the living shit out of my next door neighbor, who's got it coming but I just haven't been quite enraged enough to knock his fucking republican lights out.

There's much more, but that'll do for now.


wp

[Marr]

26. Pretend you don't follow politics for a moment.

To you, Congress would be a collection of names like Larry Craig, Henry Hyde, William Jefferson, etc. A bunch of self-serving crooks who only make a blip on your radar when they're being arrested or exposed as a lying hypocrite.

That's why most of the country hates Congress.

The remainder are mostly Republicans who hate the Democratic majority, and Democrats who are frustrated by the Democrats' constant capitulation.