These poll numbers were released earlier today by Rasmussen Reports -- "an electronic publishing firm specializing in the collection, publication, and distribution of public opinion polling information."
Congressional Favorability Ratings
Negatives for Pelosi, Reid, Boehner Hit Record Highs
Friday, March 12, 2010
Congress' top leaders are feeling the heat from voters this month, as a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows three of the four reaching or matching their highest unfavorable ratings of the past year.
Undoubtedly driven in part by her continuing efforts to pass the national health care plan, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi remains the most unpopular congressional leader, as she has for months. Pelosi is now viewed unfavorably by 64% of voters, which ties a high reached in August . That number includes 47% with a very unfavorable opinion of the California Democrat. Twenty-nine percent (29%) have a favorable view of her. Just seven percent (7%) of voters have no opinion of Pelosi.
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid is now viewed at least somewhat unfavorably by 56% of voters. That's up 14 points from a year ago and the highest level measured since regular tracking began last February. That includes 35% with a very unfavorable view. Twenty-four percent (24%) view Reid favorably, the lowest level found since December. Twenty percent (20%) have no opinion of the majority leader.
Reid, who is leading the charge for the health care plan in the Senate, is facing trouble at home. The longtime Nevada senator trails three top Republicans in his bid for reelection this November.
Forty-two percent (42%) of voters nationally favor the health care plan working its way through Congress, while 53% oppose it. These views have remained largely unchanged since Thanksgiving.
But Democratic leaders are not the only ones facing harsher criticism from voters. House Minority Leader John Boehner is now viewed unfavorably by 41% of voters, tying his highest unfavorable rating reached last September. That includes 17% with a very unfavorable view of the Ohio Republican. Twenty-five percent (25%) regard Boehner favorably, but another 34% of voters don't know him well enough to voice an opinion.
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell is the only congressional leader whose numbers are unchanged this month. Thirty-one percent (31%) view him favorably, and 36% give him an unfavorable rating. His numbers have remained steady over the past three months, though his unfavorably rating is up seven points from December. The new findings include 16% who view McConnell very unfavorably. But like Boehner, one-in-three voters (33%) don't have an opinion of him.
Last month, voter unhappiness with Congress as a whole reached its highest level ever, with 71% saying the legislature is doing a poor job.
Sixty-three percent (63%) of voters now think it would be better for the country if most incumbents in Congress were defeated this November. Just 27% of voters say their representative in Congress is the best possible person for the job.
Three-out-of-four voters (75%) are angry at the policies of the federal government . Part of the frustration is likely due to the belief of 60% of voters that neither Republican political leaders nor Democratic political leaders have a good understanding of what is needed today.
Still, voters believe Democrats are more likely than Republicans to have a plan for the future . But Republican candidates for months have led Democrats on the Generic Congressional Ballot .
Just 21% believe that the federal government enjoys the consent of the governed .
Rasmussen Reports has recently surveyed Senate races in Arkansas , California , Colorado , Illinois , Indiana , Kentucky , Louisiana , Maryland , Missouri, Nevada , New Hampshire , New York , North Carolina , North Dakota , Florida , Connecticut , Pennsylvania , Oklahoma , Ohio , Oregon , Washington and Wisconsin . Most show a troubling political environment for the Democratic candidates.
On the Republican side, Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison was hurt by the national political mood in her unsuccessful bid to defeat incumbent Governor Rick Perry for the GOP gubernatorial nomination in Texas . Even Georgia Senator Johnny Isakson , who has no serious Democratic opposition to date, falls just under 50% which means he is potentially vulnerable in November.