Uhmmm this is pretty lazy. You might want to actually go to gallup and read the whole story because the REASON why it went up to 31 percent is because the DEMS WENT UP TO 43 FROM 18. The Republicans actually went DOWN from 23 to 19. I would think that would be something a liberal blog might want to inform its readers of. Especially with all the speculation about winners and losers in the stimulus fight.

The D vs R number went from 18%/23% to 43%/19%.

So the Republicans are doing their part in trying to make Congress unpopular. It's clear that dropping 4 points just won't do to offset the Democrats' surge.

The GOP is just going to have to try harder to drop another 10 points - perhaps attack Sasha and Malia?

Bad news for the repugs? Please. By dinner time today they will be spinning this as, 'People are responding favorably to the principled stand the brave GOP took in opposing a democrat pork bill'.

"While 31% approval for the institution is still low -- along the lines of Bush-Cheney levels of popularity"

Is that really true?

I have gathered that congress rarely has over 50% approval, while the executive usually has over 50% approval. Probably because nobody votes for more than a tiny fraction of the congress themselves, while at least almost half the voters voted for the president.

Yea, here is a gallup article with 30 years of polling on congressional approval:
http://www.gallup.com/poll/28456/Congress-Approval-Rating-Matches-Historical-Low.aspx
The average approval rating of congress looks to be around 40%, and the lows were 18%. Look at that 9/11 spike to 84%.

Can't find as good a graph of presidential approval, but the average there looks more like 50%, maybe even 55%. Here is one example which shows the graphs for quite a few presidents:
http://politicalarithmetik.blogspot.com/2005/11/presidential-approval-in-historical.html

This would be bad news to the Republicans, if they had even the slightest regard for information that doesn't suit them. As it is, I don't expect this to pass through their considerable mental filters. Somewhere out there is another poll that spins better for them, and so must be true. That's the one they'll note.

Could the support spike be due to Republicans voting against the stimulus?

Do Dems read these numbers? Its clear they have more than enough political cover to play hardball with Republicans.

As their "Back in the Saddle" ad shows, Republicans think Zero is the goal.

While 31% approval for the institution is still low -- along the lines of Bush-Cheney levels of popularity

Its actually not all that low, and you can't compare Congressional approval to Presidential approval because Presidential approval is approval of a single entity that people vote for and against, and Congressional approval is approval of the net results of a large group of independently elected people that any individual voter didn't have an opportunity to vote for or against the vast majority of, and the vast majority of which don't even nominally represent each individual that is being asked to rate the institution.

Approvals in the 30s are, IIRC, about as typical for Congress over the long history of such ratings as approvals in the 50s are for Presidents.

Now, if the average approval for a polled individuals own representatives in Congress were in the low 30s, a comparison to Bush-Cheney approval would be warranted. As it is, you are comparing apples to, well not even oranges, maybe rocks.

In other news, house republicans are confidant their plan to shoot themselves in the other foot will solidify their standing with the American voters.

Hey GOP! How is that "Back in the saddle again" video working out for ya?

Just sayin' maybe you should try listening to someone other than Rush for your strategy?

Could the support spike be due to Republicans voting against the stimulus?

Since support for Democrats shot up while support for Republicans plummeted, the change probably did have quite a bit to do with the Republicans voting against the stimulus. Just not in the way you were thinking.

As I said in another thread: the GOP have become anarchists in the pure sense. They have no interest in government, and violently oppose those who govern. They have not taken up weapons, but seem to fear they may lose the ability to hoard them! We need to wrap our heads around this. Do you allow an anarchist a seat at the table in Congress? If their goal is not to reinforce our system of government and our laws and sovereignty, they must be confronted. Anarchy is not something a giant population can withstand; nor a Constitution.

"the REASON why it went up to 31 percent is because the DEMS WENT UP TO 43 FROM 18. The Republicans actually went DOWN from 23 to 19."

That's always been the reason for the really low numbers. Republicans always are negative in a Dem.-controlled congress, and Dems are unhappy because their leadership ISN'T DOING ENOUGH.

I'de like to see the republican number approach zero and the Dem/Other number exceed 65%.

I echo the first commentor's thoughts. This is poorly written and researched. Quite frankly this blog is suffering a bit on analysis and seems to only rely on recycled stories I find all over the liberal blogosphere. It's a bit of an echo chamber. Sorry for the criticism I just find myself needing more "red meat" these days and I'm not getting it here. Maybe that's not the intent. I'll check back from time to time because I enjoy the right wing bashing just not everyday all day day after day.

Could anyone explain to me what this mouse is that the repubs are all talking about? It is like a chorus that they all have and I have not done any research yet on what they are talking about.

sgwhiteinfla and grinning cat--
The Republican and Democrat ratings in the Gallup poll weren't representing ratings of Republican and Democratic Congress members. They were representing how Democrats and Republicans rate Congress.

Dkos/Research 2000 polled approval of Dem and Repub Congress persons after the stim, and while Democratic Congress members went up slightly, Republican Congress members went down slightly.

Man, we're in real trouble now. The Republicans are back in the saddle and they have this new "win by losing" strategy. It's better than tax cuts!

JS, the "mouse" thingee is best explained at Media Matters.

However, the "Back in the saddle" is not aboard Gene ArTery's horse Champion. It is atop the horse they picked up for a drop of booze from Kid Shileen.

Thankfully, there is no tyranny in majorities, so as long as Congress does what we want there will be nothing but peace.

Uhmmm this is pretty lazy. -sgwhiteinfla

Allow me a tiny rant.

Is this really necessary? I've been noticing a rash of insulting commentary directed at Steve lately, and while I'm sure he's thick skinned enough to take it, I get tired of reading it.

Steve provides the links and his commentary. If you'd like more information, follow the links and read for yourself, as you did. If you'd like to add to the discussion, leave a comment. If you'd like to make baseless accusations regarding Steve's work ethic or reading comprehension and in general be a backseat blogger, as has been all the rage lately, then save it.

There is a better way to make constructive criticism and add to the conversation.

So a Congress controlled by Democrats starts acting like a Congress controlled by Democrats, and it seems to make the people who elected the Democrats who control Congress happy. Who'd a thunk?

Sorry, but you are all wrong....the approval ratings went up becuase the Rebublicans fought the Porkulus bill and for no other reason. The Demoncrats are idiots (Pelosi, Reid, etc.) not to mention tax evaders.