New results every FridayJuly Capitol Pulse Results: Congress Critiques Its Own Performance, Sees Iran War Hurting GOP, and Rejects Ranch as America’s Best Condiment
July’s Capitol Pulse results cover everything from Congress’s own job performance to the political fallout of the re-ignited Iran War — with a little ranch dressing debate mixed in. Congress also weighs in on the power of campaign fundraising and whether Daylight Saving Time will finally become permanent.
Congress Gives Its Own Performance Low Marks
Congress is overwhelmingly critical of its own job performance. Just 12.60% approve of Congress’s performance, while 87.40% disapprove.
The partisan divide is significant: 22.64% of Republicans approve of Congress’s performance, compared with just 2.56% of Democrats. Still, disapproval is the majority position among both parties.
Congress Expects the Iran War to Hurt the GOP in the Midterms
Congress largely expects the re-ignited Iran War to hurt Republicans in the midterm elections. 64.27% say the conflict will somewhat hurt the GOP, while another 33.17% expect it to significantly hurt Republicans. Just 2.56% say it will have no effect.
The expectation crosses party lines, though Democrats are more emphatic: 100% of Democratic respondents say the war will hurt Republicans, compared with 94.87% of Republicans.
Congress Says Fundraising Gives Candidates an Edge
Congress sees a clear connection between fundraising and electoral prospects. 95.35% say a fundraising advantage increases a candidate’s chances of winning — including 52.27% who say it increases those chances significantly and 43.08% who say it increases them slightly.
The view is shared across parties. 98.10% of Republicans and 92.59% of Democrats say a fundraising advantage improves a candidate’s chances, with both groups more likely to characterize the effect as significant than nonexistent.
Congress Rejects Ranch as America’s Best Condiment
As FIFA World Cup chatter brought plenty of international attention to American food — including the discovery of ranch dressing — Congress had a verdict of its own: ranch is not America’s best condiment.
69.94% reject ranch as the country’s top condiment, while 30.06% pick it as No. 1. Democrats are particularly decisive, with 79.17% saying no, compared with 60.71% of Republicans.
So while international visitors may be discovering ranch, Congress is not ready to crown it America’s condiment champion.
Congress Doubts Daylight Saving Time Will Become Permanent
Congress is also skeptical that Daylight Saving Time will become permanent. 63.18% say it will not become permanent, while 36.82% expect it to stick around permanently.
The divide is relatively consistent across party lines: 73.33% of Democrats say no, compared with 53.03% of Republicans.