Rasmussen poll: Pelosi's favorable ratings climb; other Congressional leaders earn unfavorables

[DeepModem Mom]

Pelosi 49% Favorable, Other Congressional Leaders Panned by Voters
February 5, 2007


House Speaker Nancy Pelosi

America’s Congressional Leaders may be well known in their home town, but unknown to most Americans.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D) is viewed favorably by 49% of American voters and unfavorably by 40%. That’s an improvement from a month ago when 43% had a favorable opinion of her. Those figures also give Pelosi the highest name recognition of anybody in the Congressional Leadership ranks and make her the only Congressional Leader with a higher favorable total than unfavorable.

Rasmussen Reports surveys conducted during January show that Republican Trent Lott is second in the national name recognition category—74% have an opinion of the Mississippi Senator. However, just 31% have a favorable opinion while 43% hold an unfavorable view.

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D) is the only other Congressional Leader whose name recognition tops 55%. Reid is viewed favorably by 29% and unfavorably by 35%. Thirty-six percent (36%) don’t know enough to offer an opinion.

Reid’s GOP counterpart, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, is known by 54%. Twenty-one percent (21%) have a favorable opinion of the veteran lawmaker while 33% hold the opposite view....

http://www.rasmussenreports.com/Political%20Tracking/Favorables/CongressionalLeaders20070205.htm

[Ignacio Upton]

1. We can thank John Solomon for Reid having higher unfavorables

fuck him.

[Larkspur]

2. Reid is a weaker leader than Pelosi

Pelosi obviously learned that winning the PR battle against Republicans has to be a major strategy by Democrats. She touted her 100 Hours agenda and delivered. Her big Media coup was extending the Congressional work week to 4-5 days from the 2 days it was previously, and it got a cry baby reaction from the Republicans that Pelosi capitalized on.

Reid hasn't learned that. He's still doing things the old fashioned Democratic way -- falling into Republican frames and losing the Media battles.

I have more confidence in Pelosi's leadership abilities than Reid's.

[Ignacio Upton]

3. I remember just two years ago people were criticizing Pelosi as being weak

Well...when you are in the minority in the House of Representatives you have ZERO power because of the procedures. At least in the Senate, you have the filibuster. While Reid has done some good (ie. in '05 he helped to stop Bush's plan to destroy Social Security) I agree that Pelosi has been a stronger leader so far. We are seeing Pelosi live up to her true potential as a leader.

[Gman]

4. So the Democrats gained a totally unexpected 6 seats in the Senate last November

and Reid can't do anything right?