"Throw the bums out" goes beyond baseball: More than half of voters said they would vote to replace the entire Congress, according to a Rasmussen Reports survey conducted Aug. 27-28.
In the telephone survey of 1,000 voters, just 25 percent told pollsters they would vote to keep the current roster of lawmakers, while 18 percent said they are not sure how they would vote.
The current numbers show little change since October. When Congress was passing the $700 billion bailout plan during the presidential campaign and an impending meltdown of the financial industry, 59 percent wanted to throw out all members and 17 percent wanted to keep them.
With Democrats in control of both chambers of Congress, it's not surprising that the number of Democrats who would vote to keep the entire Congress has grown from 25 percent to 43 percent.
However, 70 percent of unaffiliated voters said they would vote to replace all of the elected politicians in the House and Senate, up from 62 percent last year.
Among Republican voters, 69 percent said GOP members in Congress are out of touch with the party base.
On health care, the signature issue that Congress will wrestle with when they return, only 22 percent said they believe lawmakers have a a good understanding of the issue, and nearly three-quarters, 74 percent, said they trust their own economic judgment more than Congress'.
Only 14 percent gave Congress good or excellent review for their overall performance, while only 16 percent believe it's "very likely" Congress will address the most important problems facing the nation. And 75 percent said members of Congress are more interested in their own careers than they are in helping people.
The survey had a margin of error of plus or minus 3 percentage points.
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Comments
This is the man reason there is such interest in the sweeping movement of independent candidates throughout the country. There are already close to 30 non-party affiliated candidates making contact, establishing grassroot organizations and listening to the people. One of the most interesting ones to watch is Trevor Drown from Russellville, Arkansas. He has been well received by a wide variety of the people of Arkansas and his message of listening and building bridges along with his common man roots are appealing to many. This former Green Beret has the leadership experience, drive and education this country needs right now. I think the two party political establishment is on for a major surprise.
Posted by: EighteenFoxtrot
| August 31, 2009 8:17 AM
Bad poll question.
Congress is general always gets lower approval then individual Congressman approval.
Rasmussen should ask about the Congressman in your District. Results will be quite different and closer to reality.
Posted by: Nick10
| August 31, 2009 8:49 AM
Yeah, the question really needs to be refined. My Congressman is pretty well in synch with my views, but those guys down in Jeebip are all wet.
Posted by: Robert Chapman
| September 1, 2009 7:45 AM
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