Disapproval of GOP Congressional Leaders, But Democrats Fare No Better

The American public is not happy with the nation’s political leadership. President Bush’s approval rating remains below 50%, and just 39% approve of the job performance of Republican congressional leaders. Despite the paltry ratings for GOP leaders, however, Democrats have failed to benefit. The public has about the same low regard for the job performance of Democratic leaders as for the Republicans (37% approval). The latest national survey by the Pew Research Center for the People & the Press, conducted March 17-21 among 1,505 Americans, finds that Democrats have increasingly soured on the performance of their own party’s congressional leaders. Democrats’ approval of the party’s leadership stands at 56%; by contrast, fully three-quarters of rank-and-file Republicans (76%) have a positive view of their party’s congressional leaders. About a year ago, 63% of Democrats approved of the performance of Democratic congressional leaders. The public, like Congress, is deeply divided over the issues at the top of the legislative agenda. Support for President Bush’s goal of private investment accounts in Social Security remains well below its level in December. Currently, 44% approve of the idea, compared with 46% last month and 54% in December.  [more]