Americans in a Grouchy Mood About Obama and Congress

Americans are not in a good mood. Their job approval rating for President Obama is down, they overwhelmingly disapprove of the job Congress is doing, a plurality want new lawmakers on Capitol Hill after the midterm elections, and a significant number have positive feelings about the conservative and libertarian Tea Party movement, according to a Wall Street Journal/NBC News poll conducted Dec. 11-14.

Two-thirds of those polled do not feel confident that life for their children's' generation will be better than it has been for them.

Forty-seven percent approve of Obama's job performance, compared to 46 percent who do not, with 7 percent undecided. That compares to a 51 percent to 42 percent approval rating in the WSJ/NBC's last poll in October.

Americans disapprove of the performance of Congress by 68 percent to 22 percent with 10 percent undecided. Forty-nine percent say when the midterms come around, they would like to give someone new a chance, compared to 38 percent who favor re-electing the incumbent. In a generic ballot on whether Americans want to see a Democrat or Republican elected to Congress, the public is split, with 42 percent choosing a Democrat and 41 percent a Republican with 16 percent undecided. In October, Americans preferred the Democrats by 46 percent to 38 percent. That close split is in line with other national polls released this week.

One hint of the dissatisfaction that the public is feeling is reflected in questions about the conservative Tea Party movement, which is not only challenging the Democrats but the Republican establishment. The poll's results need to be tempered by the fact that 29 percent of those surveyed know a great deal or fair amount about the movement, 23 percent know just some, and 48 percent know little or nothing. But of those who know about it, 41 percent have a very or somewhat positive view, 23 percent have very or somewhat negative feelings, 21 percent are neutral and 15 percent have no opinion.

Where do Americans get their television news from? Thirty-six percent say the major broadcast networks -- NBC, ABC, CBS -- 27 percent name Fox and 16 percent name CNN.