Congressional Approval Ratings

1. In class we have talked about public approval and disapproval of congress: people tend to like their individualmember, but not the institution. From the March 10 USA Today,

Two-thirds of the public disapproves of how the GOP-led Congress is handling its job and a surprising 53% of Republicans give Congress poor marks.

"Obviously, it's the winter of our discontent," said Rep. Tom Cole, R-Okla.

By a 47-36 margin, people favor Democrats over Republicans when they are asked who should control Congress.

The article goes on to identify two important factors that we have also identified in class: voters will be selecting candidates and not parties, and dissatisfaction with one party does not necessarily translate into good fortune for the other party:

While the gap worries Republicans, Cole and others said it does not automatically translate into GOP defeats in November, when voters will face a choice between local candidates rather than considering Congress as a whole.

In addition, strategists in both parties agree that a divided and undisciplined Democratic Party has failed to seize full advantage of Republican troubles.

This last point reinforces Hacker and Pierson's focus on the importance of leadership and discipline of the organization of a party.