Voters, Especially Independents, Give Low Marks to Both Parties on the Hill

Voters, particularly independents, are growing more restive about the performance of both Democrats and Republicans on Capitol Hill and one result is that Republicans are pulling closer to the Democrats when asked who they'd vote for on a generic congressional ballot, according to a Public Policy Polling survey conducted Dec. 4-7.

Forty-four percent said they'd vote for a Democrat compared to 42 percent who chose the Republicans, with 14 percent undecided. A month ago, the Democratic margin was 46 percent to 38 percent.

One driver of this is the increased number of voters who now disapprove of congressional Democrats. Last month, it was 52 percent and now that has risen to 59 percent. Sixty-one percent disapprove of the Republicans, the same as last month.

Independents, like voters in general, are split on the generic ballot question with 35 percent choosing the Democrats and 33 percent undecided. But perhaps reflecting a "pox on both houses" view, 32 percent are undecided at this point.

Independents disapprove of the job the congressional Democrats are doing by 66 percent to 19 percent with 16 percent undecided. They disapprove of Republican performance by 69 percent to 17 percent with 15 percent undecided.

Fifty percent say Democrats in Washington have too much power right now compared to 40 percent who disagree, with 10 percent undecided.

Gallup will be coming out with its generic ballot later today.