Raleigh, N.C. – Amid heated negotiations over raising the debt ceiling, Americans are prepared to be more lenient in their evaluations of Congress; nevertheless, a majority still disapproves. 33% approve of the performance of Democrats in Congress while 54% disapprove (up from 29-60 in June). Republicans rate a similar 33-55 (22-61 in June). Speaker Boehner’s ratings have also improved. He garners a 33-37 rating (27-37 in June).
When Americans have to decide which Congress they dislike the least, they give a slight edge to the Democrats. 39% feel the Republicans are doing a better job than the Democrats did while in power to 42% who feel they are doing a worse job. This is a bit tighter than last month when voters felt the GOP was doing a worse job 37-30. Independents in particular are fonder of the Republican Congress, having felt they were worse by a 38-19 margin last month, compared to only 37-36 today. On the generic Congressional ballot, the race is also tight with voters planning to vote Democratic 46-44.
Though Congress is hardly popular, it can take solace in that voters like Rupert Murdoch a whole lot less. With a phone hacking scandal engulfing News Corp, voters don’t appear to consider Murdoch an innocent party. Only 12% of voters hold a favorable oppinion of Murdoch compared to 49% who view him unfavorably. Unsurprisingly, those who identify as very liberal see Murdoch unfavorably, giving him a 9-60 rating, but even very conservatives don’t like Murdoch, rating him 23-27.
Though not the most popular figure PPP has polled, if God exists, voters are prepared to give it good marks. Voters approve of God’s performance by 52-9 margin, making God about as popular as Murdock is unpopular. When asked to evaluate God on some of the issues it is responsible for, voters give God its best rating on creating the universe, 71-5. They also approve of its handling of the animal kingdom 56-11, and even its handling of natural disasters 50-13. Young voters are prepared to be more critical of God on natural disasters with those 18-29 rating it 59-26 compared to 47-12 among those over 65.
PPP surveyed 928 American voters from July 15th to 17th. The margin of error for the survey is +/-3.2%. This poll was not paid for or authorized by any campaign or political organization. PPP surveys are conducted through automated telephone interviews. PPP is a Democratic polling company, but polling expert Nate Silver of the New York Times found that its surveys in 2010 actually exhibited a slight bias toward Republican candidates.
Topline results are below. Full results, including crosstabs, can be found here.
Q1 Do you have a favorable or unfavorable opinion
of Rupert Murdoch?
Favorable……………………………………………….. 12%
Unfavorable ……………………………………………. 49%
Not sure …………………………………………………. 39%
Q2 Do you approve or disapprove of the job John
Boehner is doing?
Approve …………………………………………………. 33%
Disapprove……………………………………………… 37%
Not sure …………………………………………………. 30%
Q3 Do you approve or disapprove of the job
Congressional Democrats are doing?
Approve …………………………………………………. 33%
Disapprove……………………………………………… 54%
Not sure …………………………………………………. 13%
Q4 Do you approve or disapprove of the job
Congressional Republicans are doing?
Approve …………………………………………………. 33%
Disapprove……………………………………………… 55%
Not sure …………………………………………………. 12%
Q5 Do you think the Republicans are doing a
better job than the Democrats did while in
charge of the House of Representatives, a
worse job, or about the same?
A better job …………………………………………….. 39%
A worse job …………………………………………….. 42%
About the same……………………………………….. 18%
Not sure …………………………………………………. 1%
Q6 If there was an election for Congress today,
would you vote for the Democratic or
Republican candidate from your district?
Democrat ……………………………………………….. 46%
Republican……………………………………………… 44%
Not sure …………………………………………………. 10%
Q7 If God exists, do you approve or disapprove of
its performance?
Approve …………………………………………………. 52%
Disapprove……………………………………………… 9%
Not sure …………………………………………………. 40%
Q8 If God exists, do you approve or disapprove of
its handling of natural disasters?
Approve …………………………………………………. 50%
Disapprove……………………………………………… 13%
Not sure …………………………………………………. 37%
Q9 If God exists, do you approve or disapprove of
its handling of animals?
Approve …………………………………………………. 56%
Disapprove……………………………………………… 11%
Not sure …………………………………………………. 33%
Q10 If God exists, do you approve or disapprove of
its handling of creating the universe?
Approve …………………………………………………. 71%
Disapprove……………………………………………… 5%
Not sure …………………………………………………. 24%
Q11 Who did you vote for President in 2008?
John McCain…………………………………………… 44%
Barack Obama………………………………………… 47%
Someone else/Don’t remember …………………. 8%
Q12 Would you describe yourself as very liberal,
somewhat liberal, moderate, somewhat
conservative, or very conservative?
Very liberal ……………………………………………… 10%
Somewhat liberal …………………………………….. 15%
Moderate………………………………………………… 36%
Somewhat conservative……………………………. 21%
Very conservative ……………………………………. 17%
Q13 If you are a woman, press 1. If a man, press 2.
Woman ………………………………………………….. 51%
Man……………………………………………………….. 49%
Q14 If you are a Democrat, press 1. If a Republican,
press 2. If you are an independent or identify
with another party, press 3.
Democrat ……………………………………………….. 42%
Republican……………………………………………… 33%
Independent/Other…………………………………… 25%
Q15 If you are Hispanic, press 1. If white, press 2.
If African-American, press 3. If other, press 4.
Hispanic…………………………………………………. 10%
White …………………………………………………….. 70%
African-American …………………………………….. 12%
Other……………………………………………………… 7%
Q16 If you are 18 to 29 years old, press 1. If 30 to
45, press 2. If 46 to 65, press 3. If you are
older than 65, press 4.
18 to 29………………………………………………….. 8%
30 to 45………………………………………………….. 22%
46 to 65………………………………………………….. 48%
Older than 65………………………………………….. 22%
