Congress Returns

"Divided Congress returns to work amid dismal public approval" September 04, 2011|By David Espo, Associated Press

WASHINGTON - After a five-week break, Republican and Democratic leaders alike promise action to ease the country’s 9.1 percent unemployment rate and boost an economy that is barely growing....

In a late-August Associated Press-GfK poll, 12 percent said they approved of the job Congress is doing, and 87 percent disapproved. A separate Gallup survey, taken midmonth, found 13 percent approved and 84 percent disapproved.

“Everybody is kind of in trouble with the electorate,’’ said Republican pollster Bill McInturff. He recently distributed an analysis that concluded the negotiating surrounding the agreement to avoid a default is “an extremely significant event that is profoundly and sharply reshaping views of the economy and the federal government.’’

“It has led to a scary erosion in confidence in both, at a time when this steep drop in confidence can be least afforded.’’

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Also see: Congress Goes For Makeover