‘Something’s happening here, what it is ain’t exactly clear’
Now isn’t that interesting? (If chart isn’t visible, click on “Continue here…” below).
Personally, I attribute that improvement in congressional job performance to Michele Bachmann and her constitutional amendment defending the sanctity of the dollar. People were really excited to see that. Others may attribute it to the House GOP’s novel idea of presenting a budget without numbers. People like innovation — it’s amazing nobody ever thought of that before.
The most recent numbers in that chart come to us courtesy of Fox, which puts congresssional approval/disapproval at 38/52 — still low, but twice as high as it was a few months ago. Barack Obama got a 62 percent favorable rating, the Democratic Party got a 54 percent favorable, the Republican Party got a 41 percent favorable and Rush Limbaugh got a 31 percent favorable. Among independents, Rush’s favorable/unfavorable was 23/61.
Fox also asked folks when they thought the recession might end. Only 30 percent thought it would end by the end of 2010, with the plurality (32 percent) predicting it would be another 2 to 3 years. That suggests the American public disagrees with House minority whip Eric Cantor, who said the other day that the economic crisis isn’t that bad and that Obama and the Democrats were overreacting to it.
Tell us what you think about the site
Customer Care »
Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
AJC Services
Sections
Other Editions
Guides
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2011 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
134 comments Add your comment
ESR
April 3rd, 2009
7:49 am
‘ tis true; the democrats have an edge on selling make believe.
BDAtlanta
April 3rd, 2009
7:49 am
Conservative heads explode throughout the land.
THIS does not jibe with what LBoss Limbaugh and Fox News has been telling me to think the last two months!!
I Report/ You Whine
April 3rd, 2009
7:54 am
If you “overreact” to economic crisis by throwing Trillions upon Trillions of dollars at it, you could delay the recovery, duh.
As for the rest of it-
And?
I like reality myself, like in NY20, an Obozo district in 2008, ignoring the pleading and whining from the DNC and voting in favor of the Repug.
Haha
Ken
April 3rd, 2009
8:00 am
Most PRODUCTIVE are working when RUSH is on the air and cannot listen to him. His ratings are formed by the drive by news noise makers.
Bud Wiser
April 3rd, 2009
8:01 am
63% believe Geithner is in over his head.
32% believe he is the guy.
Figures lie, and liars figure.
Jay, this one is for you, and also for anyone who thinks they’ll be able to play golf this wekend.
I Report/ You Whine
April 3rd, 2009
8:02 am
Seven hundred climate “skeptics,” many of them scientists, including Richard Lindzen of MIT, attended the Second International Conference on Climate Change, “Global Warming: Was It Ever Really a Crisis?” The conference sponsored by the Heartland Institute, was held in New York on March 8-10. This was a wholly different kind of affair. It focused on the empirical science of climate, the latest scientific data and climate trends. As such, in dealing with the gritty reality of climate science, it duly got almost zero mass media coverage. Most journalists, it seems, do not like dealing with real science and allaying public scares is just bad for business.
In complete contrast to Copenhagen, the New York conference was addressed by a who’s who of distinguished climate scientists. As well as hearing from Professor Lindzen, the conference was addressed by Professor Syun-Ichi Akasofu, former director of the International Arctic Research Center, Professor Paul Reiter of the Pasteur Institute, and Dr. Willie Soon of the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics, to name but a few. These eminent scientists are the very ones the media likes to smear as “crackpots” and “climate deniers.” What the conference received was the fruit of real research and study that showed sea levels, far from experiencing dramatic rise, are seeing the same level of rise they have been seeing for over 200 years. Professor S. Fred Singer, highlighting the claim of one alarmist who warned a rise of even 18 cm over a century would be “catastrophic,” pointed out that the gentleman concerned is “apparently unaware that 18cm a century is the ongoing rate of rise — which implies no additional rise in sea levels. In other words, the human influence is zero.”
Not to mention that the Arctic ice sheet melts every single solitary summer with out fail and uh, duh, there is no catastrophic flooding.
Know what I mean, bozos?
Gregg
April 3rd, 2009
8:06 am
I Report/ You Whine where have you been living, under a rock? Have you seen the DOW lately? have you seen the reception to the US at the Summit? Have you seen the reaction by other Foreign leaders to Obama? Hwne was the last time the US garnished so much respect on the World stage? I bet you before the Democrats starting crossing over Republicans will break party ranks and join this train that is headed in the right direction.
You say the Dems are overracting when the Republicans were the first ones to start trying to right this ship. Oh I see what you Redumbicans are doing. You are saying it isn’t that bad so when we finally pull through this recession you can say it wasn’t really that bad. Oh make it seem like less than what it is so it can take away from what the Obama camp has accomplish. You all are so simple minded! Tell me, did you get that information from Rush during one of his pill popping binges or tirades?
Gregg
April 3rd, 2009
8:10 am
I Report/ You Whine everything is happen right in the front of your face yet you don’t want to believe it. The polar caps are melting at an alarming rate yet you say nothing is wrong. What will it take for you to wake up oh that is right someone has to tell you what to believe you can’t think outside of the Republican box.
Mrs. Godzilla
April 3rd, 2009
8:10 am
Obama is doing a good job.
American’s see it and approve.
That scares the snot out of GOP 1,2 and 3.
DB, Gwinnettian
April 3rd, 2009
8:12 am
Is Real Clear Politics still hawking their congressional approval numers in FoxNews adverts, or did those go away?
(I have brought this up before, but I found it pretty funny that a heretofore uninteresting polling stat suddenly became newsworthy after the Dems won a majority in Nov. 2006.)
DB, Gwinnettian
April 3rd, 2009
8:12 am
Numers, numbers, numbners…
I Report/ You Whine
April 3rd, 2009
8:12 am
Hwne was the last time the US garnished so much respect on the World stage?
Oh boy, the euroweenies like the little weak, pitiful, subversive America.
Go figure.
When you think they’ll want us to lavish another Trillion dollars on them, like we did yesterday?
We give it up, they smile for the camera, hahahahahaha.
I pray for you America, Bozo’s Circus has got you by the……..
Gregg
April 3rd, 2009
8:13 am
I AM DUMB/ YOU ARE SMART oh I mean I report/You Whine follow this link for people that really matters on the global climate. and guess what they are from both parties, duh!!!
http://us.rd.yahoo.com/csp/sbc/hp/pcm/earths_refrigerator_rapidly_losing_ice/*http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090403/ap_on_sc/sci_sea_ice
Joe Matarotz
April 3rd, 2009
8:14 am
Who took the poll? What questions were asked? Where was it taken? Were the same people polled at all times?
Before accepting any poll figures, one should investigate their source to judge the validity. My bet is that crack investigative reporter Jay Bookman found a chart he could use and cut and pasted it into his article. I don’t think Jay let’s the facts interfere with his opinion.
DB, Gwinnettian
April 3rd, 2009
8:15 am
But for what it’s worth, since Jay brought it up, I think it’s time we stop, children.
What’s that sound? Everybody, look! what’s going down?
Later, all.
I Report/ You Whine
April 3rd, 2009
8:15 am
Xcuse me, subservient.
Gregg
April 3rd, 2009
8:18 am
See the difference with communicating rather than some of the other I do they understand and can make valid points. That money goes to the IMF not the Euorpean nations, first. Second, did you see how the stock market HERE IN THE US reacted to that piece of information. It is known no matter how strong we are we are not in this alone. we do not thumb our noses at countrys and expect them to fall over themselves when called upon by us. With us pledging that money other countries also pledged but you are only focused on Obama so you missed that. You went to the same college as you idol, that Plain lady huh?
Ken
April 3rd, 2009
8:20 am
Gregg, I have lived near the Gulf Coast beaches for 35 years and the ocean level has not changed. My eyes do not lie to me but the people with an agenda will. Follow the money to your global warming. ( Al Gore )
Gregg
April 3rd, 2009
8:21 am
DB, Gwinnettian is it amazing how they forget. Enlighten then please and let them know who FOX NEWS usually supports. Now what FOX says doesn’t matter when they are staunch supporters of the right-wing. Talk about double standards and hypcrosity at its finest.
AmVet
April 3rd, 2009
8:23 am
Gregg,
Not my place to advise you so, but you are completely wasting your time with I Welch/I Whine.
He’s convinced habitat destruction, species eradication, rampant pollution and unchecked poisoning of the planet as well as mountains of evidence by the greatest scientific bodies in the world is all a giant liberal myth designed to destroy the American economy.
Oh, and that the last two national elections in which the neo-cons got decimated were aberrations…
Cherokee
April 3rd, 2009
8:23 am
I still find it fascinating that our two physician Congress critters, Price and Gingrey, signed on to Bachmann’s inanity. I had always assumed that it took a reasonable level of intelligence to become a doctor.
Guess I was wrong.
ByteMe
April 3rd, 2009
8:24 am
Joe M: the chart is a summary of the polls on congressional approval. The question is pretty simple: Do you approve or disapprove of the job Congress is doing? and so on.
However, it’s crap like this that’s going to screw with the numbers:
Bailed-out banks eye toxic asset buys. The banks we’re bailing out from their crappy assets are actually thinking about using that money to buy each other’s crappy assets! And likely take a commission and large bonus doing it. Totally obnoxious.
Gregg
April 3rd, 2009
8:24 am
Ken, I already like you because you came with something that is factual not like other here. However I digress, would you agree though that erosion is not always visible with the naked eye? Would you also agree that if you see something everday it is very hard to notice subtle changes?
Joey
April 3rd, 2009
8:25 am
It is a poll. It means little. What is unclear about that?
But for discussion purposes the cause of the change: Republican Congressmen and Senators have begun to resist the Democrat push. Recognition of this effort by Republicans caused the increased approval rating.
lwwmm7
April 3rd, 2009
8:26 am
Tarzan say, “Palin woman no good. Bad juju. Obama good man. Strong like lion.”
Taxpayer
April 3rd, 2009
8:28 am
That poll is clearly wrong. The Republican party is doing great. They shouldn’t change a thing, except maybe get rid of their moderates. That guy Boner that likes to present number-less budgets makes a great leader and that other one that has the hots for someone twice his age, Brittney, that is, what is his name. Anyway, I think Boner was overheard telling him that he needed a haircut.
I Report/ You Whine
April 3rd, 2009
8:31 am
That money goes to the IMF not the Euorpean nations, first.
And what is the difference?
Second, did you see how the stock market HERE IN THE US reacted to that piece of information.
Yeah, it immediately plunged from it’s rally based on market rules.
geez, do you libs know anything?
Cherokee
April 3rd, 2009
8:36 am
I agree with taxpayer, and Joey is clearly correct. The Republicans need to be even more obstructive and inane – that’s the ticket for success.
Ken
April 3rd, 2009
8:38 am
Greg,the only people of science that I believe are the ones that do not work for research compaines that are funded by the people that have the agenda that they are for. That is why I do not even believe NASA because they are funded by people that believe in Global Warming. One has to do a lot of research to come to belief. I am always reading both points of view.
lwwmm7
April 3rd, 2009
8:40 am
Tarzan say, “Men step in quicksand. No grab vine I throw them. Too busy fighting with each other. Men sink, Tarzan go swimming with Jane.”
Det. Thorn
April 3rd, 2009
8:41 am
Rasmussen (04/02/09) — Twenty-one percent (21%) of U.S. voters now think Congress is doing a good or excellent job, its highest ratings in over a year, but nearly twice as many (41%) also think most members of Congress are corrupt.
Democrats are more pleased with Congress than they were last month, with 37% who give the legislature good or excellent ratings.
Only nine percent (9%) of Republicans and 13% of unaffiliated voters now rate Congress positively.
While 27% of non-investors give Congress good or excellent marks, only 17% of investors do the same. Nearly half of investors (48%) say Congress is doing a poor job, compared to 37% of those who don’t invest.
I Report/ You Whine
April 3rd, 2009
8:42 am
In between Peggy Noonan’s star struck gushing, reason emerges, if just for a brief moment-
Messrs. Schoen and Rasmussen had 83% of respondents saying his programs will not work, 82% saying they’re worried about the deficit, 78% worried about inflation, and 69% worried about the increasing role of the government in the economy.
So who do the polled think is responsible for all this?
Can we not put two and two together here?
Mrs. Godzilla
April 3rd, 2009
8:48 am
Hey Andy (IRYW)
The Dem’s may have ACORN, but the GOP has this nut:
http://www.bradblog.com/?p=7038
I Report/ You Whine
April 3rd, 2009
8:49 am
Bend over America, your superhero is giving you up-
The G-20 also agreed to pump “at least” $100 billion into the World Bank and its regional cousins like the African Development Bank. There’s also another $50 billion for something called the Global Trade Liquidity Program, which World Bank President Robert Zoellick said will “provide trade finance to support businesses across the developing markets.” Translation: Subsidies for businesses from Bangladesh to Bolivia.
Operationally, this is a tall order for the bank despite its 60 years of experience in shoveling money out the door. As for the other $100 billion, anyone who has followed our editorials on the corrupt uses to which the bank’s existing $30 billion annual budget is routinely put can easily imagine that much of the G-20’s financial benevolence will never reach its intended targets in poor countries.-Wall Street Journal
I Report/ You Whine
April 3rd, 2009
8:53 am
My upcoming NFL season just got a whole lot more interesting-
Nobody liked the idea of Cutler becoming a Bear more than Cutler, who declined comment on his cell phone. A source close to him recounted Cutler said he was “tremendously excited,” about joining the team he grew up rooting for in Santa Claus, Ind. His idol was Jim Harbaugh, and Cutler possesses some of his fiery characteristics.
Duh Bears!
Paul
April 3rd, 2009
8:57 am
Jay
You’ve set a troubling pattern. The source of many of your threads comes from Fox. As many of the progressively enlightened here have noted, any thing that comes from Fox is faux false a lie misleading product of the vast rightwing neocon conspiracy.
So since it’s a Fox lie, the opposite is obviously true, which means the real numbers are moving exactly opposite what you portray.
What I find really interesting is if you go to the Fox link, then go to the raw data, then click on the plot points we see the trend line is the average of the Fox, CNN and Rasmussen polls. The CNN and Rasmussen polls show generally upward approval ratings and decreasing approval ratings since January while the Fox results are much flatter.
BDAtlanta
April 3rd, 2009
8:58 am
One of the better arguments for health care reform is that the cost of providing health coverage to employees puts U.S. industry at a competitive disadvantage internationally. Testifying March 31 before the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions, health and human services nominee Kathleen Sibelius made just that argument. Quoting a participant in an Obama transition town hall meeting, she said, “How can you go out on a limb and start a new business when health care is a noose around your neck?” General Motors, she pointed out, “spends more on health care than steel.”
http://www.slate.com/id/2215325/
Cardinal Red
April 3rd, 2009
8:59 am
This is the finding that struggling daily newspapers don’t want to hear: 61% of American adults are confident that online and other news sources will make up the difference and report things people want to know about if many newspapers go out of business.
BDAtlanta
April 3rd, 2009
8:59 am
Is there a link on this page somewhere that shows you how to use italics?
Corporal
April 3rd, 2009
9:03 am
This is what’s really scary:
HEADLINE: “Obama sets goal of world without nuclear weapons …”
Does he not realize that the massive technical capability of the use of nuclear weapons by the United States against the despotic regimes of the world is the ONLY thing that has prevented a World War III, IV … ?
Eric
April 3rd, 2009
9:06 am
Most repubs and so called conservatives would rather see the whole country fall off the edge of the earth than see the Obama administration and the Democratic congress succeed. Fortunately, it no longer matters what they want. It sure as heck doesn’t matter to me.
Brian
April 3rd, 2009
9:06 am
Let’s see what the elections in 2010 say….
We don’t need no education
We don’t need no thought control
No dark sarcasm in the classroom
Teachers leave them kids alone
Hey teacher leave us kids alone
All in all you’re just another brick in the wall
All in all you’re just another brick in the wall
Taxpayer
April 3rd, 2009
9:07 am
The Second International Conference on Climate Change,“Global Warming: Was It Ever Really a Crisis?” sponsored by the Heartland Institute. Wow. Sounds so impressive. Their second conference and it’s sponsored by an American libertarian/conservative free market-oriented public policy think tank based in Chicago, Illinois. The Heartland Institute’s research and advocacy cover a variety of issues including government spending, taxation, healthcare, tobacco policy, global warming, and free-market environmentalism. The Heartland Institute features an Internet application called PolicyBot which serves as a clearinghouse for research from other think tanks such as the Heritage Foundation, the American Legislative Exchange Council, and the Cato Institute.
Heartland’s publications make the following assertions about climate change:
* “Most scientists do not believe human activities threaten to disrupt the Earth’s climate.”
* “The most reliable temperature data show no global warming trend.”
* “A modest amount of global warming, should it occur, would be beneficial to the natural world and to human civilization.”
* “The best strategy to pursue is one of ‘no regrets’.”
In a statement made by Dr. James McCarthy on March 28, 2007 to the Subcommittee on Investigations and Oversight (House Science Committee), it was disclosed that ExxonMobil contributed a total of $560,000 to the Heartland Institute between 1998 and 2005.
That sounds REAL scientific all right. Excuse me! HAHAHAHA! I can’t stop HAHAHAHA laughing HAHAHAHA at this so-called HAHAHAHA esteemed body of HAHAHAHA scientists and their abuse of the HAHAHAHAHA scientific method HAHAHAHA.
Paul
April 3rd, 2009
9:07 am
Corporal
I trust his national security advisors have told him that even though the weapons can be destroyed, the means and methods of production will continue to exist. So they can be reconstituted or can continue to be newly developed without another country knowing, possibly until it’s too late to halt deployment. Remember Syria?
Gregg
April 3rd, 2009
9:08 am
Ken @ 8:38. Actually that came from the NOAA and they usually forecast storms and such. I agree if they are hired to do something they will generally come back with what you want them to say. I just fear that if we continue the way we are something is bound to happen. Now Ken don’t get me wrong but let me pose this to you. A car will run without oil however at some point it will grind to a halt. The earth turns on its access continuosly, how do we know what the reduction in oil in the earths’ effect will have until it maybe to late. As the saying goes I don’t want to find out by accident.
For those of you who calls the President on his telepromter he is on live TV now doing a town hall meeting in France and taking questions from the audience. It is even on FOX go watch and learn
Paul
April 3rd, 2009
9:11 am
Taxpayer
I thought Heartland made cholesterol-lowering foods? I see their symbol on my oatmeal box…
BTW – did you ever listen to that addressed I referenced on global warming? I think you’ll find it worth the time. Just Google ‘Microwaves icebergs global warming’ and click on the first link by Dr David Long. Some will find the beginning a bit dry but the case builds quite nicely.
Corporal
April 3rd, 2009
9:11 am
Paul:
Exactly. If we didn’t have our arsenal, China would have most of Asia and Russia would have most of Europe by now. “Conventionally” we just can handle nations of that size.
Corporal
April 3rd, 2009
9:14 am
P.S. to Paul:
Israel will NEVER lay theirs down. It is the only thing that ensures their safety as it gives them the clout of being able to WASTE attacking neighbors if it looks like they (Israel) are going down ….. It’s their final deterrent.
lwwmm7
April 3rd, 2009
9:16 am
Now there’s some science I can understand. When we pump out all the oil that greases the axle the earth turns on, it will grind to a halt. Woe is us.
BDAtlanta
April 3rd, 2009
9:17 am
You’d have to think that if there was at least one active brain cell over at Fox News, they would be putting out anything that would cause fear in their constituents because those folks get party cohesion from those fears. That’s what they understand best.
That chart plays into those fears.
Fear of God, fear of liberals, fear of socialism, fear of independent thinking, fear of big govmint, fear of what the neighbors might think.
Jeez, gotta be hard being a conservative…so much to fear, so little time.