Why are Americans so dissatisfied with the direction of the Country, even 63% of Democrats are dissatisfied? Depending on your political point of view I guess we could come up with many reasons no doubt some 180 degrees from each other. Too much debt vs not enough spending, etc. However, one thing seems clear. This may not be a good time to be an incumbent running for re-election.
According to Gallup:
The last time a majority of Americans were satisfied with the direction of the country was more than a decade ago, a 55% reading in January 2004. Further, satisfaction has not topped 40% since July 2005, amid a struggling economy, wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, and declining confidence in government. This period also saw satisfaction sink to an all-time low of 7% in October 2008, shortly after the financial crisis hit.
While satisfaction is higher today than back then, it has only exceeded 30% for two brief stretches since 2008 — from May through August 2009 shortly after President Barack Obama took office, and in November 2012 when he was re-elected to a second term.
Historically, Gallup has found partisan differences in satisfaction ratings, usually tied to the party of the president. Consistent with this pattern, currently 37% of Democrats are satisfied, compared with 19% of independents and 10% of Republicans.
And for the record:
Ronald Reagan 1981-1989
George H. W. Bush 1989–1993
Bill Clinton 1993–2001
George W. Bush 2001–2009
Barack Obama 2009 – too long
QUINNSCOMMENTARY 