Republicans Hampered by Low Approval Ratings

Republicans are hanging their midterm election prospects on voters' frustration with the Democratic Party, but a poll released by National Journal Tuesday indicates people are just as unhappy with Republicans.

Six in 10 Americans polled have a negative view of GOP leadership. Perhaps that's why Republicans have tried to efforts to frame Election Day as a referendum on the Democratic Party, not the GOP.

National Journal editorial director Ron Brownstein discussed the situation with CBS News chief Washington correspondent Bob Schieffer on Tuesday's "Washington Unplugged."

"What is striking, Bob, is that the level of dissatisfaction with Republican leaders in Congress is even higher now in this poll than among Democratic leaders in Congress. Only 24 percent said they approve of how Republican leaders in Congress are handling their job," Brownstein said.

Democratic leaders did only slightly better, with a 30/53 approval/disapproval split -- though it is significant to note that their numbers are unchanged since National Journal's polling in July. Republican disapproval figures have climbed seven points in the same amount of time, and they have the lowest performance rating in the poll's history.

"When you see this level of discontent [overall], historically voters tend to take it out on the party in power," Brownstein said. The unpopularity of Republicans, however, could complicate matters this year.

Despite enduring Tea Party and Republican enthusiasm, Democrats have lately had some reason for optimism, though the landscape still looks difficult.

"Democrats have seen some movement among partisan Democrats," Brownstein said. "In some cases Democratic incumbents are strengthening themselves, but more often they are still facing a turn out gap and an enthusiasm gap and also a lean against them among independents."

New York Times chief political correspondent Jeff Zeleny also joined Schieffer and Brownstein on "Washington Unplugged" to offer his take.

"The races that are on the margins, Democrats are still breathing out there," Zeleny said. "If an incumbent is locked in at 42 percent, say Governor Tom Strickland from Ohio, he is really fighting for his life. It is going to be harder for him to get five points more than his opponent."

National Journal also asked if voters would be more or less likely to support a candidate with an endorsement by President Obama or other leaders like Sarah Palin.

"If Barack Obama endorsed them - less likely - if Sarah Palin endorsed them - less likely - the Tea Party - less likely. There is no institution linked to the political system [that helps]," Brownstein said.

The poll, the Society for Human Resource Management/National Journal Congressional Poll, was conducted with the Pew Research Center and has a four percent margin of error.

Politico's Kiki Ryan was also a guest on Tuesday's "Washington Unplugged." Watch the full show above.

"Washington Unplugged," CBSNews.com's exclusive daily politics Webshow, appears live on CBSNews.com each weekday at 2 p.m. ET. Click here to check out previous episodes.

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Christine Delargy is an associate producer for CBSNews.com. You can read more of her posts here. For more of Washington Unplugged, follow us on Facebook and Twitter.

[the_cattleprod]

Republicans are taking money directly from China in the new ad buys.

[mmac47]

Nothing will get the democrats away from one thing that the people hate about them.

obama and the dems spent almost 1 trillion dollars on stimulus and lost 3 million jobs.

Dems are toast.

[Jason_Clearbrook]

Only one major problem with this poll. I'd really like to know *why* people are upset with the Republican Leadership. One buzzword comes up again and again: RINO (Republican In Name Only) and the fact is quite clear that in primaries in the Republican side of the house, that idea was strong enough to topple the apple cart and put <<gasp>> unofficial "Tea Party" candidates on the Republican Tickets. You do not see that phenomenon on the Democrat side. They are voting *for* the incumbents, no matter how bad they think of them, because they *know* that in the current environment, the even more extreme candidates on their side have snowballs chance in Miami of winning in the General Election.

I am predicting that Democrats will lose 70 in the House and 10 in the Senate. That is record breaking, I know, but that does *not* mean that the Faithful to the Party Machine Republicans are going to take over. No, this is going to be relatively new blood on the Hill. Let's see if *they* can resist the temptations of corruption and put an end to "business as ususal" which Pelosi, Reid and Obama never made a sincere effort to do. They just grabbed the power they could and ran with it, corruption and all!!!

;'{P~~~

[tsigili]

Incumbents need to go.....from both parties. It is time to send some representatives to Washington, that will represent the interests of the people, instead of their personal pocketbooks.

[holalanemeir]

WaPo/ABC poll reflects what polls throughout the country are showing: as election day approaches, Democrats are gaining ground and Republicans are losing it. The question is: why?

Two interesting numbers from the poll might tell us some of the story.

First, the GOP's Pledge to America was a complete dud. 66 percent said they had never heard of it, and of those who had, more people said it would make them less likely to vote for the GOP (29 percent) than said it would make them more likely (23%). Compare that to the Contract With America which had similar awareness numbers but was a small net positive for Republicans (24 percent more likely, 21 percent less likely).

Second, and probably more importantly, President Obama's numbers have improved since he started campaigning after Labor Day. That they've improved isn't exactly a surprise, but the extent of the improvement is a bit surprising. One month ago, his net approval rating was minus 6 -- 46 approve, 52 disapprove. Now it's plus 3 -- 50 approve, 47 disapprove. That's a nine-point swing in just one month

[Jason_Clearbrook]

Keep drinking the koolaid! It keeps the Koolaid Man employed, at least! Oh, Yeah!!!

That is a day over day comparison, which is about as bogus as it gets! If you look at long term trends, or monthly or even weekly averages, the story is different than the one you paint in desperate hope! I could probably find a somewhat better day last month to compare with a somewhat worse day in this short month (maybe not today, but it could be) and the swing would be drastically *negative*, and my point would be equally invalid doing that. You have only proved that you are either adept at lying with statistics, or worse yet, have no clue and just buy whatever they feed you!

You could argue that the numbers are flat, and statistically speaking, they are tending to be. However, every time Obama does something to "push the envelope" it costs him, and the Democrats dearly. I think him *not* doing anything is costing them everything slowly. Damned if you do, and damned if you don't, and in *that* situation, he is showing absolutely *no* leadership backbone at all! His true colors as a coward and glitzy flash in the pan come out. He is all mouth, and no moxy!

Look at the long term trends. If you *really* want to scare yourself, just look at the demographic distribution of African Americans in contested districts. They are in high proportion in secure Democrat Congressional Districts, but in those areas that only 36% of *non* African American Voters approve of Obama, those Democrats are spending money at a 6 to 1 ratio in some instances, (just like Obama did -- they figure if money worked for him, it should work for them) and are still staring defeat in the face!

Try the Red Koolaid. It's stains look more natural than the ones the Blue Koolaid leaves behind!

LOL!!!

[holalanemeir]

SHRM/National Journal came out with a poll on Monday:

60 Percent Disapproval Of GOP Leaders

Republican congressional leaders have sought to frame the upcoming midterms as a referendum on Democrats and their ability to govern, but six in 10 Americans have a negative view of the very GOP chiefs making the argument. That level of GOP unpopularity leaves the Democrats some campaign leverage against their GOP critics with less than a month to go before Election Day.

Dems clock in at 53, but 60? No one likes Republicans. http://congressionalconnection.nationaljournal.com/2010/10/60-percent-disapproval-of-gop.php

[dobermantmacleod]

If you are paying close attention to the US Congress then you know that the Republicans are basically saying no to everything so people will be disaffected and change the party that controls Congress (the Democrats). They can hardly run on their own agenda of more tax cuts that mainly benefit the rich and spending cuts that mainly affect the poor. What galls me the most is that they say they are for reducing the deficit, when their tax cuts will bust the budget. Shame on them.

[realist51]

CHR, yes this is true what kennedy had to say, however you need to look at the tax rates back in 62. the nation was not trillions in debt and his taxcuts didn't add to or create any deficit. unlike the bush cuts have, there has to be a point of diminishing returns, a return to the clinton/republican controlled congress was probably that point. Look at the unemployment stats under bush/republican controlled congress and you will see that there was no job creation unemployment did not go down and according to other states was the worst job creation under any president since record were kept. The taxcuts should be allowed to expire for everyone. this will help slow down the deficit and then a balaned budget amendment needs to be passed.

[Jason_Clearbrook]

realist51:

***

"the nation was not trillions in debt and his taxcuts didn't add to or create any deficit."

***

Spoken like a *true* Socialist, who will *not* put any responsibility for the deficit on any sort of spending that, (in their eyes) can *never* be seen as wasteful!

***

Most of America is becoming aware of the problem. The Democrats spend, spend, spend. Under Bush, they were also given free rein to spend, spend, spend, and for those of you that say we spent too much in Iraq and Afghanistan after 9-11, I am not sure I would disagree. But spending went up across the board, and if you want a *real* shocker, look at the lawsuits happening in California right now over public employees who were paid outrageous amounts of money! The Democrats sure know what they are doing if you have to spend a lot of money and spend it quick -- just don't make any sort of accountability part of the equation!

***

;'{P~~~

[Amusedbyitall]

The lesser of two evils comes at the leadership levels. Reid and Pelosi - I am part of the growing 21% of California Democrats that wants Pelosi to step down as Speaker - have allowed the Republicans to run the agenda. Two key points demonstrate this. First, the "Bush tax cuts" expire in 2011. Period. There should be no discussion of extending them. The Democrats have to introduce a tax plan to help the middle class and the poor for after when the "Bush tax cuts" expire. [ My personal opimion is that tax breaks for businesses should be raised to $400,000.00 incomes to include small businesses where a bulk of the jobs and inovations in manufacturing occurs. ] That is the program that neither Reid nor Pelosi can convey to the public. The Republicans want tax breaks for the rich under the myth that tax cuts to the rich creates jobs. [ As I understand the tax code, the taxes for the rich will go from about 35% to about 40% after the "Bush tax cuts" expire. ] Let the Republicans put forth their own tax plan and explain in an open forum where the jobs and economy went after 8 yearts of tax breaks for the rich. The second is relief for small businesses. Reid and Pelosi allowed the Republicans to stall this relief in the name of "bipartisanship." Where in the Constitution is "bipartisanship" mentioned? The checks and balance established in the Constitution where the legislature enacts legislation which the president can either sign or veto. The final check and balance of power is the courts which assure that the rights of the minority are not trampled by the whim of the majority and that the law does not conflict with the Constitution. A recent example of this is the Obama Administration took an oath to defend the United States Constitution. The Constitution grants exclusive authority to the federal government to regulate immigration. The federal judge ruled in favor of the Obama Administration. The Republicans villify President Obama for keeping his word to the American People to defend the United States Constitution. If the Republicans and their nasty allies don't like our form of government, go someplace else. The real culprits in this issue are Senators Kyl and McCain, and the rest of the Arizona Congressional delegation, who are not competent enough to raise Arizona's concerns in the proper forum, the United States Congress.

[the_cattleprod]

I miss the days when Bill Clinton was in office we had a surplus and little Georgie boy squandered it. For all their big talk rebuplicans are about as trustworthy as used car salesmen.

[ohyes1234]

You mean it takes more than rhetoric and have your rich allies buying you millions of dollars worth of adds to get Republicans elected.

[retm-w]

No different then the big unions trying to buy the dems the election. Even though their members have no say in who their leaders back. Most unions the rank and file don't even elect their leaders.