Cross-posted at www.thinkyouth.net and www.mydd.com
For those of you who haven’t heard already, the poll numbers for the 110th Congress have hit new lows. With an approval rating in the 24-27 % range, and disapproval ratings in the 60-71 % range, America appears to be unhappier with the Congress than they are with the President (approval 26-31%, disapproval 60-66%). My question is, why is this happening?
While true I did predict in November that citizens would quickly get frustrated with Congress once they realized that they couldn’t do everything they promised at once, I didn’t predict Congressional approval ratings going below the President’s. Some seem to think that this discontent with Congress indicates discontent with the Democrats, and yet polls show that voters still would rather have a Democrat representing them then a Republican.
So again, my question is, why are the numbers so bad? Don’t the American people realize that while Democrats may have full control of the House, they have a razor-thin majority in the Senate, which often acts as a roadblock? And don’t they realize that there aren’t enough Democrats to override any Presidential veto? I think the most important question here is why the American people disapprove of Congress’s job more that the President’s, even though the President is the one who is vetoing the legislation the American people want!
It seems to me that the American people are confused. If they want to see an end to the Iraq war, then they need to blame the President for his vetoes. If they wanted Comprehensive Immigration Reform, they need to blame Senate Republicans for not allowing a 3/5ths majority. 63% of Americans say that the new Democratic Congress is governing in a "business as usual" manner, rather than working to bring the fundamental change that party leaders promised after November’s midterm election. I’m not even going to bother arguing against that claim, but it is still confusing that if people are that frustrated with Democrats, why is there still strong support for more Democratic members of Congress in 2008?
The media constantly quotes Democrats and Republicans alike voicing their frustration at the Congress. Some of my favorites include "I think [the Congress] should force [the President] more [to end the Iraq war]." How much harder can they push besides moving for impeachment?
Maybe I’m wrong, but what I think these numbers indicate is a lack of understanding of the nuances in the way Congress works. Again, correct me if I’m wrong, but doesn’t it seem that the American people are taking a "There is a Democratic majority, they are able to do whatever they want" approach, not even taking into account the 3/5ths requirements of the Senate, as well as Parliamentary movements such as filibusters and constant objections to unanimous consent requests?
I’m not taking a "our hands are tied" approach, just a pragmatic one. It will take a lot of time for Congress to do anything with a roadblock Senate and a roadblock President. Granted I’m a cheerleader for Congressional Democrats, but let’s not blame them when they are trying as hard as they can. Let’s put the blame for Iraq (the main reason people are frustrated with Congress) squarely where it belongs; with the President.
Sorry for ranting; how does everyone else feel?