The latest Gallup poll shows Congress with an approval rating of 29 percent. This compares unfavorably with President Bush's approval rating, which stands at 33 percent according to the same poll. Moreover, Congress' 64 percent disapproval rating is one point higher than that of the last Congress just before the 2006 elections.
Why is this Congress viewed so unfavorably? Part of the explanation lies in the inherent unpopularity of the institution as it has evolved. At the beginning of the year, Congress' approval rating was only 37 percent even though every member of the House had just won the popular vote in his or her district.
However, the poor performance of the Reid-Pelosi Congress surely helps account for the decline since that time. As I noted the other day, Congress has started to resist the ethics reform it promised voters, legislation that might help reverse prevailing perceptions of Congress and make that body less inherently unpopular.
But it's not just Democratic addiction to the "culture of corruption" that's at work here. The fact is that this Congress has failed thus far to enact any high-profile domestic legislation. As the Washington Post puts it, "not a single priority on the Democrats' agenda has been enacted, and some in the party are growing nervous that the "do nothing" tag they slapped on the Republicans last year could come back to haunt the party."
Perhaps Nancy Pelosi should discontinue her foolish outreach program to anti-American Middle Eastern dictators and focus more on enacting the reform legislation she promised the American people.
UPDATE: John Hinderaker has more on this story at Power Line.
Reader Comments ( Page 5 of 5)
61. The American people elect this congress with the idea of changing all the corruction and the monopoly of the rep. party. Now what I still seeing is a pleasure congress nothing different from the one before the vote them there to bring the troop back or at least came out with a different aproach.I believe if they continuen in this complacency with the president they also would lost the presidency on 2008 be more hard liner make the war illegal show that you're the paty that would change this country around no only in the war issued but in most important front that American people are expecting from you we were expecting something different no this now you look like ragged and Mr. Bush still looking sharp. How sad
Ruben Vasquez at 2:04PM on May 16th 2007
62. I HOPE CONGRESS CONTINUES DOWN THIS ROAD AS IT SHOWS THAT THE REPUKES CANNOT WORK WITH ANYONE WHO IS NOT ON THE SAME AGENDA OF GREED, BIGOTRY AND DICTATORSHIP AS THEY WERE ON BEFORE THE DEMOCRATS TOOK OVER. THE DEMOCRATS ONLY HAVE A SMALL MAJORITY BUT WAIT UNTIL '08 ASSES WILL BE KICKED ON THE GOP SIDE LIKE CRAZY. PEOPLE ARE SICK OF THE CORRUPTION AND THE FAILURE OF THE REPIGS TO COME CLEAN AND ADMIT THAT THEIR ADMINISTRATION IS A COMPLETE FAILURE AND HAS DEMORALIZED THE WORLD AS WELL AS SHOWN THE WORLD THAT THEY HAVE SUCH INCOMPETENT PEOPLE IN THEIR PARTY.
ANN at 9:35AM on May 16th 2007
63. I understand that Mr. Bush has a rating that in beyond embarrassing.
But I am puzzled. Current rating is 33%? What does a person have to do to get a proper rating? One that reflects their results. I am eagerly reading all these postings trying to get a feel for the mindset of people "still on board".
I am clearly not the brightest bulb in the house. Yet, even this long time republican knows this administration is past corrupt. I know enough to understand that the deaths of our hereos oversees are not deaths but negligent homicides and Cheney and his puppet should be held accountable.
Maybe this is why the Congress rating so low. They have yet to do the couragous thing and get the murderers in jail and our heroes home where both need to be and deserve to be.
marcprue at 9:45AM on May 16th 2007
64. Pelosi is a disaster for Democrats. She will loose Mrs. Clinton the 08 election. Dump Pelosi now before its too late.
sovietdemocrats at 10:23AM on May 16th 2007
65. I'm sick of ALL these party actions and bashing. We need really viable third-party candidates. Or, how about this? Next election, let every American CITIZEN write in the name of a person he or she would like to serve in a certain office. Then, under strict supervision--maybe like the folks that count votes for entertainment media awards--have each and every vote counted. The person with the most votes for a certain office wins that office. Persons for whom I would vote include Colin Powell for President or just about any other office he wanted.
Dot at 10:55AM on May 16th 2007
66. Phil,
Thanks for your informative posts! I especially appreciate that you stick to the issues and don't bandy insults and smears as, alas, so many posts do!
Let us together ask them to be partisan, support their point of view, but why simply make those who disagree with you angrier and less susceptible to your concerns?
Leaving jail decades ago, where several of us had faced death penalties for peacefully and nonviolently assisting fellow citizens to register to vote and otherwise enjoy their civil and human rights, among the hundreds released as a result of a court order in response to our suit charging officials with a conspiracy in constraint of justice. Because we were not violent toward them, many of those people later became strong advocates of reconcilliation among our peoples.
I suspect we're of similar ages, though I don't know that I can ever retire. I have survived cancer long enough to see sons marry, buy homes, graduate from college, and have become a grandfather. A very good life! Only I fear to leave them a world in its current shape! I wish you and our nation and humanity survival to see the healing begin!
Zev
VeganWolf.blogspot.com
(Vegan because I eat now no animal products and
Wolf because that is the English translation of Z'ev)
Zev Aelony at 12:53PM on May 16th 2007
67. Pelosi is the speaker for starters, need I say more, also Reid, Murtha, Hoyer thought along with her they were going to do things THEIR WAY , only for votes, were over impressed with themselves that voters would br so glad to have DEMS in they could RULE without any one questioning their views. These are people that are so un-intelligent, self centered, self serving idiots. They want power for their own 15 minutes of fame, traitors to this country and the troops. Pelosi is "RUNAWAY BRIDE EYES" which she tries to pull crooked things that benefit her personally.
jane at 12:59PM on May 16th 2007
68. Great Job Phil!!!
Seems like you should take over Paul's job! You proved him wrong with fact not opinion. To all of the Republicans and Bush supporters out there... I ask you... Exactly what has Mr. Bush done that is so worthy of our respect? He is one of the dirtiest most corrupt presidents this country has ever seen, his approval ratings are in the dirt, and yet some people can't help themselves but to try to keep standing up for him. When the time comes for him to leave office and all of the dirt surfaces, you are all going to look quite ignorant, and I suspect be more careful with your wallets and who you support...
Jenny at 2:20PM on May 16th 2007
69. Jenny, not that I approve of everything that Bush has done, but the economy is as good or better than Clinton’s terms, we came out of a depression without raising taxes, and have extremely low unemployment levels. He owns and maintains a ranch in Texas that leaves Al Gore and the majority of his supporters looking like one of the worst polluters on the planet. We additionally have more money in our pockets for personal use/investment purposes due to tax breaks. I’ve met him personally, and compared to other people in comparable positions (Kerry and several other Senators), he is very personable, intelligent and kind.
When you step back and start comparing things from an unbiased point of view, there were probably more accusations and complaints about how terrible Clinton was during his terms at this point than Bush at this point in his. Differences are there in the content of the “wrong-doing” I understand, but either way, non-stop complaints and an impeachment and AOL still ranks Clinton in their top presidents. With a system like, Bush could end up number one!
cw2gator at 2:18AM on May 18th 2007
70. Democrats promised everything under the sun including fiscal responsibility, giving the minority in Congress more amendment power, holding the Bush administration responsible for the numerous crimes liberals tell us Bush committed, and getting us out of Iraq.
Clearly, what we have today is the very definition of a Do nothing Congress.
Democrats are democrats, and they have no interest in fiscal responsibility. They have taken steps to remove amendment rights from the minority in Congress. They have no intention of holding the Bush administration responsible for anything. Why? Because liberals did all the lying and the last thing they want are hearings that prove it. The only thing liberals seem interested in is defeat in Iraq.
Everything liberals promised to get back in power ... turns out to be a lie. Nothing new here.
Thomas J Gassett at 2:16PM on May 18th 2007
71. Nancy Pelosi and the gangster liberal crew believe that by nature of being a liberal that they cannot be a 'culture of corruption'. Liberals believe that intent and achieving a goal and ideology by any means necessary gives them an automatic pass and exclusion from any consideration of corruption. They operate on par with the mentality of a poisonous snake: it cannot conceive the idea of wrong doing when it bites and poisons anyone. The poison that liberals are spewing out is just as natural as life to them. Only they can understand the nature and necessity for that poison, so as far as they are concerned, the rest of us are a lower form of life and have no right to life if we don't develop a natural resistance to their poison. A true liberal is rollin': ride or die gangster all the way baby!
Cdalealden at 8:07PM on May 19th 2007
72. To Poster #52 -
For the record in 2002 there was ONE more Democrat in the Senate (50-49). ONE. Are you referring to the Senate vote in 2002 where 21 Democrats voted against (ONE Republican did) the Iraq Resolution ? In the House (that WAS Republican controlled) 126 Democrats voted against the resolution - 6 Republicans did. But I'm sure this will only confirm that Iraq is ALL the Democrats fault. It always is, was, and will be when you're a member of the neocon nation. I suppose it is also the Democrats that are now stonewalling legislation to take corrective action and set timelines for Iraq. Next thing we'll be hearing is how the PNAC pushed President Bush into the war all at the direction and control of the Democrats who of course are ultimately responsible for this mess. As for fools there's plenty of them. None more pathetic than those always looking to point the finger of blame everywhere but where it belongs.
max at 6:15PM on May 20th 2007