Pelosi And Reid Are In Power But Unknown

CBS News Poll: Most Americans Unfamiliar With New Congressional Leaders

(CBS)  As the 110th Congress gets underway, the new Democratic leaders of both the House of Representatives and the Senate remain unfamiliar to most Americans, according to a new CBS News poll.

More than seven in 10 Americans are undecided or haven’t heard enough about Nancy Pelosi, a Democrat and the first woman Speaker of the House, to have an opinion of her. Those who do have an opinion are divided: 14 percent of Americans view her favorably, while 12 percent view her unfavorably.

As expected, Democrats are more likely than Republicans to view Pelosi favorably. 24 percent of Democrats have a favorable opinion of the Speaker, while 30 percent of Republicans hold a negative view of her.

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Read the complete CBS News poll results.

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The new Senate Majority Leader, Harry Reid, is even more unknown to the public than Speaker Pelosi. 86 percent of Americans are undecided or haven’t heard enough about Reid. Among those with an opinion, 5 percent have a favorable one, while 8 percent hold an unfavorable view. Republicans are more likely than Democrats to view Majority Leader Reid unfavorably.

For detailed information on how CBS News conducts public opinion surveys, click here.

This poll was conducted among a random sample of 993 adults nationwide, interviewed by telephone January 1-3, 2007. The error due to sampling for results based on the entire sample could be plus or minus three percentage points. The error for subgroups is higher.

[rincewind3-2009]

This really isn't surprising. Most people don't pay that much attention to politics; certainly not enough to know anything besides the name of the President.

[sandycat2]

I dislike both of them. But I am glad that a woman has become Speaker of the House. Too bad it had to be Pelosi.

[dwc2003]

I certainly think she is more attractive than Dennis Hastert. I do believe, at least by her tone, that she is willing to try to keep the house working together. We will see soon. The dems hopes of keeping the senate and house will depend on the actions in the next 2 years by both houses. Let's hope it is for the country and not for their party. That seems to be the problem now. My PARTY is more important than the country. How can you think that. Work together and keep control or work for yourself and lose control. Americans want cooperation from their elected officials for the good of the country. A lot can happen in 2 years. Let's hope it is all for the better and not worse.

Most public officians are afraid to say thier "true" opinions. Perhaps this is the reason why the people are not interested in what public officials say because politicians know what they say and know it is not the truth.

It is time to ask the question of santity in some of our leaders who makes critical decisions regardless of public opinion. Why has no one asked this question?

[sb50627]

I would like to see for myself what Pelosi and the Democrats are going to do for our country.
This is what I would like to see them do.
Stop the war in Iraq!
Stop spreading fear and using fear to manipulate the government and its people.
We should fight for people who love not hate.
Another words stop the militarism.
We should be fearless not fearful.
Stop the nationalism.
We should support labor and stop the one sided view of Big Business takes all.
Stop the corporatism.
And to the press stop the propaganda.
The press has failed the American people for the past 8 years or more by avoiding the real issues of the day.
Unemployment and the rising cost of living.
NOT Homosexuals marrying each other.
The unavailablity of healthcare.
The failure of Medicaid.
The collapse of Social Security.
CORRUPTION in Big business and its relationship with BIG Government.
Bottom line Stop fascism.

[maypo]

I voted Democrat this last election except for 1 republican (she was a friend of a friend) Listening to Pelosi I am afraid they are going to destroy the credibility of this country. I'm afraid most will look at us as weak. Unable to sustain a fight if it is difficult. We are what the Chinese called us in the days of Mao. A paper tiger. We cut and run when the going gets tough. I looked to them for a different stategy and all they can think of to do is be a quiter. Our time as a super power is meaningless.

[bluestardad]

GOD's Speed New Leadership; Please stop funding Iraq! It is best for the Troops to come home. AMerican Soldiers do not work for Saudi Arabia!

[bildooreilly]

VOTE LIBERTARIAN, THE DEMOREPUBLICROOKS ARE ALL THE SAME PARTY OF WEALTHY ELITISTS... THROW EM ALL OUT, RESTORE THE CONSTITUTION OF OUR COUNTRY, AND START ALL OVER AGAIN, SIMPLE AS THAT.

[cantshutup]

http://www.theadvocates.org/quiz.html


please check out the libertarian site, take the quiz...you may find, as I did today, that you have more in common with this group than democrats or republicans...I'm surprised this group does not have more political sway...good luck good people, we need it

[cantshutup]

Libertarianism is what your mom taught you: behave yourself and don't hit your sister. -- Dr. Kenneth Bisson

Libertarianism is America's heritage of liberty, patriotism, and honest work to build a future for your family. It's the idea that being free and independent is a great way to live. That each of us is a unique individual, with great potential. That you own yourself, and that you have the right to decide what's best for you. -- David Bergland, author, Libertarianism in One Lesson

Libertarianism encompasses all or most of the following: strong support of individual civil liberties, social tolerance, and private property; belief in the positive powers of the free market; and an espousal of constitutionally limited and greatly reduced government. Libertarian thought at its most basic level agrees with Jefferson's statement, "That government is best which governs least." -- Deanna Corbeil, PageWise.com

[bellal-2009]

cantshutup, that's what we need is a good old fashioned libertarian leaning leader.

[random_radar]

If a man broke into your home and stole your property, you would call him a thief and punish him as a criminal.

If a group of people got together and decided to take your property by force, you would call them a mob and probably run for your life.

If your entire community gets together and votes to take your wealth by taxation, you would call it democracy and consider it a virtue.

If you are curious about libertarian economics, check out the website www.mises.org. I don't agree with everything there, but it sure is a breath of fresh air for those who value their freedom.

[mh4cbs1]

LIBERTARIANISM is NOT the answer folks. These people would turn Corporate America loose on the American people. The middle class has suffered enough while the weathiest have seen their net worth skyrocket.

Remember when children worked in the mines for 6 days a week with no safety regulations? That is the free market.

Government by INFORMED and INVOLVED CITIZENS is GOOD GOVERNMENT and will work to serve to the needs of ALL. It is the ONLY means at the disposal of the average hard working citizens to shape their society. Libertarians give the wealthy and the corporate unimaginable power to plan and control our society. Money IS power, and it becomes the ONLY real power in a "least governement" World.

Geez, get a clue folks. Why do you think corporate America's Republican party keeps demonizing goverment? It gives them more power! No unions, no EPA, no OSHA... Just free for all profits (and toxic lakes, more poverty, less health care...)

[mh4cbs1]

hey random_radar:

So, you saying that NO taxes are legit? I didn't think so. So its a matter of a FAIR tax system, right?

Why do you think Warren Buffett (net worth $30 Billion), wrote an article showing how he pays LESS rate of tax than his $30,000/year secretary?? Why do you think Andrew Carnegie SUPPORTED the Inheritance Tax?

Why is it you libertarians are so HUNG UP on your f***ing money? Meanwhile the whole society around you can sprawl, pollute, decay, while the few amass HUGE wealth and power?? You will return us to a Dickensonian world of poverty (for the majority) if we all were to follow your crazy trickle down faith in unrestrained capitalism.

[mh4cbs1]

If you want to build a society of healthy communities, with social justice, peace and quality of life, check out the

GREEN PARTY gp.org

[mjv2944]

Dems you cannot go off on a far left tangent and expect to be around after "08. Americans are middle of the roaders, do not stray far to left as we just got rid of far to the right. If we can fund the Iraq war we can surely fund education, finance social security, come up with some sort of national health care, secure the borders and get ahandle on illegal immigrants.

[grumpas]

Only a moron would vote Libertarian! They are more fascist than the Republican's! I have checked them out before and they are further out there in "LA-LA Land" than George! So, don't listen to the blowhards who are leading you down the wrong path again! A lot of Libertarian's just loved George W Bush and did everything they could to get him in office and keep him there!

[agnim]

1,200 Peace Activists Make Giant "Impeach" Sign on Beach
And in San Francisco, about 1,200 peace activists gathered on the beach Saturday to spell out the word Impeach in giant letters visible from the sky. The protest occurred in the district of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. Advocates of impeaching President Bush have criticized Pelosi for saying that impeachment is off the table.