Why the Republicans can do well In 2008.

[DKW 86 7,440]

http://blogs.usatoday.com/gallup/2007/06/w...do_hmos_an.html

New Gallup data show confidence in Congress at all time low

Just 14% of Americans have a great deal or quite a lot of confidence in Congress.

This 14% Congressional confidence rating is the all-time low for this measure, which Gallup initiated in 1973. The previous low point for Congress was 18% at several points in the period of time 1991 to 1994.

Congress is now nestled at the bottom of the list of Gallup's annual Confidence in Institutions rankings, along with HMOs. Just 15% of Americans have a great deal or quite a lot of confidence in HMOs. (By way of contrast, 69% of Americans have a great deal or quite a lot of confidence in the military, which tops the list. More on this at galluppoll.com on Thursday).

It’s worth remembering that Congress is basically nothing more than a mechanism for the representation of the people’s wishes. We all can’t go to Washington. So we elect men and women and send them off in our stead. It’s not an optimal situation, it seems to me, when such a low percentage of average Americans have confidence in this system.

Generally speaking, Americans have been skeptical about Congress for decades now. But the current 14% confidence rating for Congress is down from 19% last year and is the lowest in Gallup’s history, surpassing the 18% confidence in Congress measured in 1991, 1993 and 1994.

Americans' are generally in a sour mood, as discussed here. The particularly low rating for Congress this year thus represents a continuation of the existing low esteem in which Congress is held, coupled with a strongly negative mindset on the part of the American public.

[TexasTiger 13,006]

I wouldn't get too excited. This recent drop reflects many Dems frustration with what they percieve as Dems caving on Iraq funding.

Folks are frustrated with the status quo. They'e not particularly angry with anything the Dems have done-- it is more what they haven't done. They are mostly disgusted with Bush, which is why his approval rating today dropped below Carter's low point. His current 26% are the hardcore Right Wingers. Most people think we are on the wrong track-- and that we've been on it for a few years. They're not crazy about the Dems, but they really don't want to identify with Republicans right now. They are rapidly becoming independents who are particularly frustrated with Republicans.

http://www.democracycorps.com/reports/anal...9_2007_Memo.pdf

Right now, the Dems still pick up seats.

http://blogs.usatoday.com/gallup/2007/06/w...do_hmos_an.html

New Gallup data show confidence in Congress at all time low

Just 14% of Americans have a great deal or quite a lot of confidence in Congress.

This 14% Congressional confidence rating is the all-time low for this measure, which Gallup initiated in 1973. The previous low point for Congress was 18% at several points in the period of time 1991 to 1994.

Congress is now nestled at the bottom of the list of Gallup's annual Confidence in Institutions rankings, along with HMOs. Just 15% of Americans have a great deal or quite a lot of confidence in HMOs. (By way of contrast, 69% of Americans have a great deal or quite a lot of confidence in the military, which tops the list. More on this at galluppoll.com on Thursday).

It’s worth remembering that Congress is basically nothing more than a mechanism for the representation of the people’s wishes. We all can’t go to Washington. So we elect men and women and send them off in our stead. It’s not an optimal situation, it seems to me, when such a low percentage of average Americans have confidence in this system.

Generally speaking, Americans have been skeptical about Congress for decades now. But the current 14% confidence rating for Congress is down from 19% last year and is the lowest in Gallup’s history, surpassing the 18% confidence in Congress measured in 1991, 1993 and 1994.

Americans' are generally in a sour mood, as discussed here. The particularly low rating for Congress this year thus represents a continuation of the existing low esteem in which Congress is held, coupled with a strongly negative mindset on the part of the American public.

[MDM4AU 336]

Rasmussen Reports

Thirty-five percent (35%) of Americans approve of the way that George W. Bush is performing his role as President. Sixty-three percent (63%) disapprove. Those figures include just 13% who Strongly Approve and 44% who Strongly Disapprove.

Rasmussen Reports

Harry Reid is now viewed favorably by 19% of American voters and unfavorably by 45%. Just 3% have a Very Favorable opinion while 22% hold a Very Unfavorable views.

Reid has been very visible over the past week in the furor over immigration reform. The effort to pass a bill that was more popular in Congress than among voters may have hurt public perceptions of the Democratic leader. His ratings are down from a month ago when 26% had a favorable opinion of the Democratic Senator. Reid’s highest ratings were 30% favorable in February.

...

And, finally, there’s Scooter Libby, convicted to 30 months in prison during the week. He is now viewed favorably by just 19% of Americans, unfavorably by 57%.

[otterinbham 0]

Bad news for both parties, actually. If Republicans and Democrats don't straighten up and fast, there may be a bloodletting come the next election. And, actually, that wouldn't be a bad thing.

[jw 4 au 526]

You know, and this is just my opinion, but the Democrats have a perfect opportunity to take control of the White House. I wouldn't even mind seeing some change. However, it will not happen with Hillary or Obama, period. They cannot get middle America to vote for them. There are as many negatives as positives with each of them, and the negatives appear extreme. My father is a border-line a yellow dog democrat and he has said he would not vote for Clinton if that was the democratic nominee. That says a lot for a man who continually defends Jimmy Carter. That said, why can't the dems not see this??? I think it is because the most vocal dems are people like Michael Moore, Al Gore, TexasTiger (haha), Jimmy Carter, Ted Kennedy, etc., etc., etc. These views are not the views of most of your party, especially the new independents who will probably decide this next election. That is why I think Giuliani or/and Thompson have a great shot at winning the White House.

[WinCrimson 61]

No chance. N O C H A N C E.

Winning the White House is conceivable. Taking back Congress? Just look above.

[TexasTiger 13,006]

Rasmussen Reports

Thirty-five percent (35%) of Americans approve of the way that George W. Bush is performing his role as President. Sixty-three percent (63%) disapprove. Those figures include just 13% who Strongly Approve and 44% who Strongly Disapprove.

Rasmussen Reports

Harry Reid is now viewed favorably by 19% of American voters and unfavorably by 45%. Just 3% have a Very Favorable opinion while 22% hold a Very Unfavorable views.

Reid has been very visible over the past week in the furor over immigration reform. The effort to pass a bill that was more popular in Congress than among voters may have hurt public perceptions of the Democratic leader. His ratings are down from a month ago when 26% had a favorable opinion of the Democratic Senator. Reid’s highest ratings were 30% favorable in February.

...

And, finally, there’s Scooter Libby, convicted to 30 months in prison during the week. He is now viewed favorably by just 19% of Americans, unfavorably by 57%.

Reid's unfavorables are largely Republicans and a few Dems upset with him not being liberal enough. Most independents don't care. On the other hand, Bush's unfavorables are from Dems and Indies.

[otterinbham 0]

Anybody who thinks the GOP is taking back the house in 2008 is smoking crack, a modified version of crack that drug dealers consider a breach of ethics to sell. Oddly enough, I think the GOP has even odds of retaining the presidency, simply because people are so wary of Hillary Clinton and don't see Obama as a viable alternative.