Dem Congress May Benefit from Low Expectations
Scott Rasmussen
www.rasmussenreports.com
Dec 6, 2006
When Democrats formally take control of Congress in January, they may benefit from one of the most important tactical advantages in the political world—low expectations. On a series of key issues, most American voters are pessimistic about what Congress will accomplish in the next couple of years.
On the subject of Iraq, 32% are optimistic about what Congress will accomplish while 56% are pessimistic. Of the five issues we asked about, that is the most upbeat assessment.
On immigration, 27% are optimistic about what Congress will accomplish and 58% are pessimistic. On taxes, the numbers are 30% optimistic and 56% pessimistic.
Just 23% are optimistic about the chances for cleaning up corruption while 63% hold the opposite view. On government spending, 23% offer a positive answer while 61% disagree.
While there is a decided partisan flavor to the responses, a plurality or majority of Democrats are pessimistic on every single issue in the survey. On Iraq, there is little difference between perceptions of Republicans and Democrats.
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