When it comes to the mood of America, the word “terrible” is the description of choice by pollsters.
In a single week, polls found that politicians of all political ilks are striking near-historic lows with voters, Politico reported. President Obama isn’t much popular with the people.
The economy fares even worse. Voters don’t see much optimism for the present when it comes to their family finances, or for their future generations, Politico said.
“Everything is terrible” in terms of the country’s perspective, The Washington Post pollster Scott Clement said, Politico reported. “With an ’everything is terrible’ mindset, I’m mostly thinking about how after several years of cantankerous and unproductive lawmaking in Washington, there are very few political figures or institutions who the public trusts anymore.”
Tom Jensen, the director of the liberal-leaning Public Policy Polling, meanwhile, said pessimistic voters are sure to vent at the booths — but in an “unprecedented way,” he said.
“What we’re really seeing in an unprecedented way, especially in the key Senate races, is that voters don’t like either of the major candidates,” he said, Politico reported.
On top of that, congressional members have lost their ability to “get the benefit of the doubt from the public,” Mr. Clement said. “And the public has seen more and more issues where they’re just not happy about where things are going, and the place they often look to blame is Washington.”
The pessimistic poll findings puts a question mark on predictions for November elections.
“What Republicans do have to be worried about is [voters] turning to a more conservative third-party candidate,” said Mr. Jensen, Politico reported.
• Cheryl K. Chumley can be reached at cchumley@washingtontimes.com.
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