Sharp Drop in Approval of Congress

Americans' approval of the job Congress is doing has gone from 31 percent in September to 21 percent with much of the loss due to a sharp drop in the view of Congress held by Democrats, according to a Gallup poll conducted Oct. 1-4.

Thirty-six percent of Democrats approved of Congress' performance compared to 54 percent in September. Republicans' opinion of Congress fell from 23 percent last month to 16 percent. Only 9 percent of independents approved of the job Congress was doing compared to 13 percent last month.

Gallup said: "For the first time since February, Democrats' approval of the job Congress is doing is below 50 percent -- with only slightly more than a third of Democrats now approving. It is possible that after watching Democratic lawmakers defend healthcare reform in town hall meetings through the summer, rank-and-file Democrats may be disappointed that Congress hasn't followed through with more progress on that legislation this fall."