Americans Very Unhappy with Washington

January 26, 2010

Americans Very Unhappy with Washington

A new NBC News/Wall Street Journal poll finds that just 28% of Americans believe the federal government is "working well" or even works "okay," versus 70% who think it's "unhealthy," "stagnant" or needs large reforms.

"What's more, a whopping 93% believe there's too much partisan infighting; 84% think the special interests have too much influence over legislation; nearly three-quarters say that not enough has been done to regulate Wall Street and the banking industry; and an equal 61% complain that both Democrats and Republicans in Congress aren't willing to compromise."

Interestingly, the public's anger isn't necessarily directed at President Obama.

"Only 27% say they blame him for not being able to find solutions to the country's problems. By contrast, 48% blame Republicans in Congress and 41% blame congressional Democrats."

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Taegan D. Goddard is the founder of Political Wire, one of the earliest and most influential political web sites.

Goddard spent more than a decade as managing director and chief operating officer of a prominent investment firm in New York City. Previously, he was a policy adviser to a U.S. Senator and Governor.

Goddard is also co-author of You Won - Now What? (Scribner, 1998), a political management book hailed by prominent journalists and politicians from both parties. In addition, Goddard's essays on politics and public policy have appeared in dozens of newspapers across the country, including the Washington Post, USA Today, Boston Globe, San Francisco Chronicle, Chicago Tribune, Philadelphia Inquirer and Christian Science Monitor.

Goddard earned degrees from Vassar College and Harvard University. He lives in New York with his wife and three sons.

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January 26, 2010