Retract your claws and horns and talons and please answer a Pelosi question.

[Stinky The Clown]

I know it is fashionable (and somewhat justified) to have less than sunny feelings about our Speaker.

But for this question, try, if you can, to step back a bit.

While Congress' approvals are in the toilet, it still appears the Dems will actually pick up even more seats in Congress this cycle.

So here's my question:

While many on the left are unhappy with Pelosi (and in some measure, with Democratic-led Congress overall), is the rest of the country in agreement with that or do they actually blame the Repubs, our two years "in power" notwithstanding?

[wtmusic]

1. People evaluate their own races independently

and not as part of a master plan to control Congress. IMO.

[mike_c]

2. I think most of the country blames the Bush administration specifically...

...and doesn't have much of a clue about Pelosi's complicity-- or Reid's, for that matter. To many Americans, the president IS the government.

[tavalon]

4. That's what I think as well

We here are wonks so we know minutae that average voter has no clue about. They are voting overwhelmingly Dem this election because they feel fucked over and assume it was all the Republicans doing. I sometimes wish I didn't know the nuances. Life would feel easier if it were a bit more black and white.

[Winterblues]

3. I think people just want accountability and they just aren't seeing it happen

What with Libby getting off Scot Free and no one even making any attempts at real accountability. If our Government has given up on that basic precept then just what do we have to look forward to? An anything goes Government???

[Stinky The Clown]

6. No argument ... but out there in 'regular' America, who do you think is catching the blame?

[Phred42]

5. Pelosi has nothing to do with with Dems gaining more seats.

Most people don't even know who Pelosi is - they are voting against the last 8 years - not for anything

[AndyA]

7. I think the majority of Americans believe the problem right now is George W. Bush and

Dick Cheney.

But I also think many wonder what happened to all the oversight and accountability the Dems promised us back in 2006. It doesn't seem like much has happened on that front, and I believe that accounts for the negative ratings.

Just think...if the Dems had opened an investigation into the Bush Administration back when they regained power in Congress, by now they would be well into it. With the financial hardships people are suffering, I would bet Dems would be picking up even more seats in Congress, and I'd also bet Obama would be polling ahead of even where he is now.

These events would be proof to Americans that Bushco have not been looking after their best interests these past 8 years.

[Beacool]

8. I don't think that Congress is not very popular right now, regardless of party affiliation.

Pelosi as Speaker of the House bears some of that blame. Same as Reid. After all, the Democrats have had the majority for two years.

Personally, I'm very disappointed in her and think that she' been a mediocre Speaker.

Also, I'll never forgive her not even trying to stay neutral during the primaries (as she should at least have pretended to do due to her position). She repeatedly nixed even the notion of a "dream ticket".

I regret any enthusiasm I ever felt for having this woman as the first female Speaker of the House.

[mikelgb]

9. I might end up voting for my Repug Rep

His challenger is running a completely invisible campaign. I called her office to try and volunteer during the bailout debate and I was not able to reach anyone all day so I left a message and I did not get a call back until a week later. It was from her campaign manager! They were counting on me to help them out. Plus my congressman voted against the bailout twice, and he is on financial services. He also voted to send Impeachment to the floor for a vote. (Probably for the wrong reasons on both accounts)

But, sadly I think it will be more effective to my interests to have my congressman continue to oppose the majority in the house.

[Redbear]

10. I think that people see the GOP as still in charge

Democratic favorability remains higher than Republican.

Wednesday's CBS/NYT POLL

Republican Party

Favorable 37
Not Favorable 54

Democratic Party

Favorable 52
Not Favorable 38

http://graphics8.nytimes.com/packages/pdf/politics/20081015_POLL.pdf

[LWolf]

11. I don't know what the "rest of the country" thinks.

I trust my own judgment. I don't trust the judgment of the "rest of the country." Those who keep supporting, and electing, complicit enablers. Those who consistently, all 30 years of my voting adulthood, stuck me with nominees I don't like, that I then either watch lose, or watch move the nation move backwards.

I have no respect, not one iota, for Nancy Pelosi. Or for the vast majority of the so-called "democratic" congress.