A Record 82% of Americans Disapprove of Congress

Atlantic Wire

A New York Times/CBS News poll released Thursday evening puts into perspective just how upset Americans are over the handling of the debt crisis by Congress. Michael Cooper and Megan Thee-Brenan report:

A record 82 percent of Americans now disapprove of the way Congress is handling its job — the most since The Times first began asking the question in 1977, and even more than after another political stalemate led to a shutdown of the federal government in 1995. More than four out of five people surveyed said that the recent debt ceiling debate was more about gaining political advantage than about doing what is best for the country. Nearly three-quarters said that the debate had harmed the image of the United States in the world.

Other relevant numbers include a 72 percent disapproval rating for Republicans' handling of negotiations, 66 percent disapproval for Democrats and a 47 percent disapproval rating for the president. White House correspondent for The Huffington Post Sam Stein calls that final figure "the best-of-worst news" for the president and his staff.