On Friday, Kos referenced the new Gallup poll in his post regarding
The cult of 'bipartisanship'
The data is clear: People want politicians who are passionate about their beliefs. They don't give a rat's ass about process or bipartisanship or how well politicians work together. They want politicians who look like they're fighting for something.
Reviewing the poll, there is more to be understood...
But what are the issues and what should be fought for?
More past the squiggle
First, this Gallup poll follows the week's previous one, diaried here:
Rut Roe...Historic Voter Dissatisfaction
Key Findings:
82% of Americans disapprove of the way Congress is handling its job.
69% say they have little or no confidence in the legislative branch of government, an all-time high and up from 63% in 2010.
57% have little or no confidence in the federal government to solve domestic problems, exceeding the previous high of 53% recorded in 2010 and well exceeding the 43% who have little or no confidence in the government to solve international problems.
53% have little or no confidence in the men and women who seek or hold elected office. Americans believe, on average, that the federal government wastes 51 cents of every tax dollar, similar to a year ago, but up significantly from 46 cents a decade ago and from an average 43 cents three decades ago.
49% of Americans believe the federal government has become so large and powerful that it poses an immediate threat to the rights and freedoms of ordinary citizens. In 2003, less than a third (30%) believed this.
As I conjectured then:
IMHO what this implies is the likelihood of major electoral shifts coming in 2012. No incumbent is safe and party affiliation is likely to help no one.
The latest poll:
Americans Give GOP Edge in Handling Nation's Problems
Which Party is doing a "better job":
Which Party is addressing what is most important to the electorate:
Which Party is will do a better job vs. terrorism and military threats:
Gallup's Bottom Line:
Given a choice, Americans at this juncture appear slightly more inclined to believe that the Republican Party is better situated than the Democratic Party to handle the problems facing the nation.
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Some thoughts (excuse me if I presume too much):
We can agree on the accomplishments of our President, they have been listed here many times before.
We can agree that the opposition's "vision" for our future is the path to ruin.
We can agree that this administration inherited an economy in a shambles and has been attempting mightily to get us back on track.
We have debated policy, tactics and outcomes, some have worked, others not and we'll continue to debate them because that is what we do.
Yet, reviewing the results of these two polls, it is apparent that the electorate is in a foul mood. What's coming is not 2006 and not 2008. Some may consider it more like 2010, but this seems inadequate. While Repubs at this point seem to be getting an advantage it is likely because it is yet early in the cycle and overall dissatisfaction trends to the party not in power.
Gallup further conjecures in its conclusions that the Repub "advantage"/electorate reaction is that it
...could be because a Democrat is in the White House at a time when Americans are dissatisfied with the state of the nation and the government.
No one is likely safe in 2012 on either side of the aisle. Whatever the WH and Senate has been doing is not working and both are likely at risk. Simply falling back on it's GWB's fault and Repub "obstructionism" as an argument for lack of progress, based on these polls, is obviously a failed position with which to sway the electorate. With lack of support for AJA, endless continuing resolutions and forthcoming report of the Cat food commission will there be any time or ability to affect a radical change to the status quo?
Okay, agree with Kos,
They want politicians who look like they're fighting for something.
But what? And how? And how soon?
I wish I had the answer.
Do you?