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Americans Clearly Dissatisfied with Politics
(Angus Reid Global Monitor) - Few adults in the United States appear content with their federal administration, according to a poll by Rasmussen Reports. Only 16 per cent of respondents believe the government reflects the will of the American people.
George W. Bush—a Republican—earned a second four-year term in the November 2004 presidential election. American voters renewed the House of Representatives and one-third of the Senate on Nov. 7. The Democratic Party will take control of the lower house for the first time since 1994, with 233 lawmakers. A victory for the Democratic candidates for the Senate in Montana and Virginia also gave the party a majority in the upper house.
On election night, Democratic California congresswoman Nancy Pelosi, who is to become the first female speaker of the House next month, declared, "Tonight is a great victory for the American people. The American people voted for a new direction."
On Nov. 8, Bush discussed the situation, saying, "I'm obviously disappointed with the outcome of the election, and as the head of the Republican Party, I share a large part of the responsibility. (...) The message yesterday was clear: The American people want their leaders in Washington to set aside partisan differences, conduct ourselves in an ethical manner, and work together to address the challenges facing our nation."
Polling Data
Do you believe that the federal government today reflects the will of the American people?
Yes | 16% |
No | 68% |
Source: Rasmussen Reports
Methodology: Telephone interviews with 1,000 American adults, conducted on Dec. 18 and Dec. 19, 2006. Margin of error is 3 per cent.