Does it seem to you that the current "no compromise" partisan nature of our multi-party political system too often gets in the way of progress in Congress? Well, you are far from alone, as a new Gallup poll shows a record-high 38% of Americans now favor system under which the same party would control the presidency and Congress.
The Gallup poll of 1,017 U.S. adults, an all-time low 23% said it would be better if the White House and Congress were controlled by different parties, while 33% said political control made no difference.
As Gallup analyst Andrew Dugan wrote, "While Americans tend to lean toward one-party government over divided government in presidential election years, this year finds the biggest gap in preferences for the former over the latter and is a major shift in views from one year ago."
In 2011, only 28% of those polled supported same-party control, while 29% favored control by different parties and 39% said it made no difference.
Also See: What About Third Parties?
Interestingly, the lowest level of support for one party control has come in years like 2006 and 2010, when the same party actually did controlled both Congress and the presidency. According to Mr. Dugan, this "suggests Americans may simply tend to prefer what they don't have or see problems in whatever the current situation is."
The only time a plurality of Americans has favored a divided government since Gallup started asking the question in 2003 came in 2005, when 36% preferred divided control, compared to only 29% who preferred same-party control.
Are Democrats Frustrated?
The latest poll showed that by a margin of 49% to 36%, Democrats were more likely that Republicans to favor a one-party government. According to Dugan, this may indicate that many Democrats are frustrated by President Obama's difficulties in enacting his legislative agenda while Republicans control the House of Representatives. In addition, suggests Dugan, "Democrats are more likely than Republicans to express faith in the federal government's ability to handle domestic problems."
What Gallup does not address is how, given our current system of mid-term congressional elections, we could ever ensure same party control of Congress and the presidency, if... we even wanted to.
Also See:
Congress Took it Really Slow in 2011
Government Should Not Promote Values, Poll Shows
Comments
If I had my druthers the house would always be in conservative hands to control spending; the senate should be neutralized by an even split so they would need to compromise. The white house matters less in this scenerio; however, I prefer an ex military person, with a view to displaying military power to deter our enemies; and has a blind eye to sex, color, religion, etc. when building his cabinet and filling appointments. That is pie in the sky in today’s political environment, but I pray we as voters get fully informed before entering any polling place or accepting an interview on the street. It amazes me that people cannot articulate why they support their candidate or vote one issue they support rather than the “good of the country” which means voters cannot always put their individual needs first.
It’s Public Knowledge, that our Government has no Authority or power over Federal Reserves & Banking around the world. That Lawyers protect them and not us ! So why should we employ The President & all Gongressman & woman anymore? They have no power to help in any way shape or form. Banks from around the world control our economy that is why I feel A Government that can’t Govern should be all Fired they simple can’t do anthing so its all false Forum we Americans live under. Yes its time for Independant party to take back control of USA not living under a regime of Banks hell bent on holding USA and the world as One World Order. Way too many Americans are aware of this. We just can’t be fooled or tricked into it like the rest of world that is uneducated. We Americans have been Educated and know our History quite well.
they should be working to lower their pay cause they dont need that much money to spend
The public is being misled by the biased media who can not sunder-
stand w hat goes on in WASHINGTON is really everybody,s business..
WHAT are we paying taxes for?Are we looking at the evening news to be
MISINFORMED?It is obvious that what is actually happening is someone
says one thing and by the
time it reaches the network it becomessomething other than what was
intended.Sounds confusing,that’s what is happening to our evening
news,is , a mass of MISIINFORMATION that leaves the viewerthinkingwhat:’s going on in the nations capital?