US politicians popularity in lowest rate since 2008

US politicians popularity in lowest rate since 2008
Wed Oct 16, 2013 11:38:21

A new poll shows more frustration with Washington over the government shutdown and risk of default, with the number of people dissatisfied with the state of the country in the highest level since the 2008 financial crisis.

Only 14 percent of Americans said they were satisfied with the way things are going in the US, and 81 percent said they were dissatisfied, according to a new poll from Pew Research, Press TV reported.

Satisfaction is down 13 points from a similar poll in July and near the 11 percent satisfaction recorded October 2008, amid the economic collapse.

As for the current standoff over the shutdown and debt limit, Republicans get more of the blame than the White House, 46 percent to 37 percent. That margin has held steady as the shutdown wears on and people assign blame: In the same question a week ago, Republicans were viewed as responsible 38 percent to 30 percent.

The survey also picked up a strong “throw the bums out” sentiment. Anti-incumbent feelings in general set a record, with 74 percent of voters saying most members of Congress should not be reelected, compared with 18 percent who said they should. In the 2010 and 2006 midterm cycles, about half of voters wanted members replaced.

In another record for Pew’s polling on the topic since 1990, 36 percent of voters wanted their own representative replaced. Just 47 percent, a record low number of voters, wanted their representative reelected.

Pew surveyed 1,504 Americans from Oct. 9 to 13 for the poll, which has a margin of error of 2.9 percentage points. The sample included 1,259 registered voters, for which the margin of error is 3.2 percentage points.

If Washington doesn’t reach a deal soon to keep paying its bills, an economic crisis could start unfolding so quietly on Thursday it will give little hint of its potential to throw millions of Americans out of work.

Many people would not notice right away if the government hits a $16.7-trillion cap on its debt, which could come on Thursday.

NTJ/BA

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