From Deseret News archives:
Lawmakers fare poorly in poll
Satisfaction with Congress is almost as low as for Bush
Although the year started with a constant message of bipartisanship and cooperation, the past few months have brought bitter political standoffs on Iraq and a host of domestic issues such as health care, education, the environment and energy.
The survey found only 35 percent approve of how Congress is handling its job, down 5 percentage points in a month. That gives lawmakers the same bleak approval rating as Bush, who has been mired at about that level since last fall, including his dip to a record low for the AP-Ipsos poll of 32 percent last January.
Democrats and Republicans point to the Iraq war as causing problems for the Bush presidency but two of Utah's five-member congressional delegation also point to the new Democratic majority.
Rep. Jim Matheson, the lone Democrat in Utah's delegation, said, "I think this poll reflects how disappointed people are with the partisanship in Washington. Most people expect, when they elect us, that we will work hard and make progress on issues, and until we do that, the ratings won't improve."
Rep. Chris Cannon, R-Utah, said the dissatisfaction with Bush and Congress is "not about one issue."
"It is the perception, in most cases true, that we are 'fiddling while Rome burns,'" Cannon said. "The message of 2006, to a conservative like me, was: end corruption; shrink the government; and solve problems without regard to credit. We have ignored those lessons to our own peril."
Cannon said both parties have focused too much on who gets credit for things.
The offices of Sen. Bob Bennett, R-Utah, and Rep. Rob Bishop, R-Utah, did not comment on the poll.
Democrats agree that the problem is largely Iraq, which has dominated this year's session of Congress while producing little more than this month's Bush veto of a bill requiring the withdrawal of U.S. troops. It has also overshadowed House-passed bills on stem-cell research, student loans and other subjects that the White House opposes, they say.
Comments
- Aggies beat Spartans in snowy Logan 4:31 a.m.
- TCU 55, Utah 28 4:24 a.m.
- BYU 24, New Mexico 19 4:21 a.m.
- Jazz game at a glance 3:00 a.m.
- Real Salt Lake: Game at a glance 3:00 a.m.
- Stanford ends Y's soccer season 2:20 a.m.
- Jazz hope D-Will returns soon 2:19 a.m.
- Snow, SUU lose 2:18 a.m.
- Toone saves day for Wildcats 2:15 a.m.
- Win in New Mexico good for Y? 2:15 a.m.
- Apostle's wife felt comfort in attack
- Can BYU root for (ick) Utah Utes?
- Short-handed Jazz fly past Sixers
- D-Will home for daughter
- Utes excited for 'dream' game
- Bench proves fruitful for Y.
- Crash on snowy road kills woman
- BYU happy to escape with victory
- GameDay in Fort Worth
- Born of water and the spirit
- SLC council OKs gay rights policies
358 - Editorial: Mormons and gay rights
200 - BYU happy to escape with victory
194 - Will state consider gay rights law?
148 - TCU creams U.
134 - Can BYU root for (ick) Utah Utes?
130 - Letters: Strange breed in Utah
129 - Utes remain silent about BCS
120 - Pratt pleads not guilty to sex charges
106 - Celtics crush Jazz
104
Maybe someone out there can help me understand how raising the state...
How do you handle kids and contests? Our oldest daughter, 7, is of the...
So Great!!! So Proud - Love RSL - Bring Home The CUP!!!!!
mr cannon's bold assertation that the purpose of the first ammendemnt as...
Great great great game!!!! Nicky Rimando is a god! We're the most complete...
I had the game on DVR and just watched it. That was the most exciting game...
financially cannot this year, but I will watch loyally, how great to hear...
This is hardly surprising. Bennett has a remarkable arrogance which is also...
I guess that is why "they play the game" as Herman Edwards would say.. ...
What was the score of the LSU vs LA tech game? Alot closer than you'd like to...
Has Fedor not said that THIS IS OUR YEAR all year long? Go back and...
This is just a small glimpse of the future with Obamacare: corruption, waste...



You can be the first to comment on this story.