NationStates Jolt Archive

Now, I'm not a big fan of poll-based research in the first place. I only post this because I'm sick of seeing threads about how Congressional disapproval ratings are lower than the President's--and more particularly how this should somehow be interpreted as proof that people prefer Bush to the Democrats.

That ridiculous notion has been dragged through the mud often enough, but somehow I think there are some people who still don't understand that the polls say nothing of the sort.

Perhaps this (http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/19923586/) will work, being far more to the point.

Yes, Congress has low approval ratings, even lower than the President's--to anyone who follows politics, that's no big surprise. But...

But by a large margin, Americans trust Democrats rather than the president to find a solution to a conflict that remains enormously unpopular. And more than six in 10 in the new poll said Congress should have the final say on when to bring the troops home.

Meh. Polls say lots of things. We elect Republican presidents even in years where the Democratic Party is ahead double digits in 'trustworthiness.' Some people vote party-line, while others (perhaps even a greater number) vote on the individual. It's easier to trust a large body of people to ultimately make the proper decision than it is to trust one man.

If this current cycle matches the average, I would imagine that if we were to poll people on their opinion of Congress as a whole, their opinion of their own Congressmen and their opinion of other's Congressmen, you would find that they love 'em. As for the other scoundrels in Congress, that's a whole different story.

It's much easier to blame an institution for failures, rather than it is to blame an individual, especially one with whom you identify somewhat.

Fascinating are contradiction-filled human nature is, ain't it?

Meh. Polls say lots of things. We elect Republican presidents even in years where the Democratic Party is ahead double digits in 'trustworthiness.' Some people vote party-line, while others (perhaps even a greater number) vote on the individual. It's easier to trust a large body of people to ultimately make the proper decision than it is to trust one man.

The numbers are something like: Republicans 30% Democrats 35% Independents 35%

So there are about 17-18% of the people that can give the presidency to one or the other.

Congress is different, especially the house. The districts are designed for the party in power to win. When the Reps took over Texas they changed the districts to make sure Congress would remain Rep. So it doesn't really matter if people don't like Congress as a whole, they like their representative.

The numbers are something like: Republicans 30% Democrats 35% Independents 35%

So there are about 17-18% of the people that can give the presidency to one or the other.

Congress is different, especially the house. The districts are designed for the party in power to win. When the Reps took over Texas they changed the districts to make sure Congress would remain Rep. So it doesn't really matter if people don't like Congress as a whole, they like their representative.

I think it's true - people are defecting from *both* parties and calling themselves independent instead, in many cases. I suppose that's good in some ways, but it sure can't possibly help a pollster do his job. :p It does seem to come down to the "swing voter," I agree.

The numbers are something like: Republicans 30% Democrats 35% Independents 35%

So there are about 17-18% of the people that can give the presidency to one or the other.

Congress is different, especially the house. The districts are designed for the party in power to win. When the Reps took over Texas they changed the districts to make sure Congress would remain Rep. So it doesn't really matter if people don't like Congress as a whole, they like their representative.

I'd put it more R-15% D-20% Swing-15% Apathetic/Lazy/Stoner Nonvoters-50%.

So, clearly, Sean Penn's character from Fast Times (Arthur Spinelli?) should be our next president if that pesky voting thing didn't get in the way.

Nobody? Really? Now I feel old.