Nancy Pelosi Is Least Liked Congressional Leader
According to a new poll, Nancy Pelosi is both the most well-known and the least liked member of either party’s leadership team in the House:
House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) is the most well-known but least-favored of the four congressional leaders, according to a new poll.
The Gallup poll released Wednesday found that only 11 percent of those surveyed said they had never heard of Pelosi, making her the best known of the four top Democrats and Republicans in the House and Senate. But Pelosi also topped the list in unpopularity. Forty-eight percent of those surveyed said they have an unfavorable opinion of her while 31 percent have a favorable opinion.
By comparison, 14 percent said they had not heard of Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio). The poll found that 41 percent have an unfavorable opinion of Boehner while 31 percent have a favorable view.
Twenty-two percent say they have never heard of Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.). Twenty-six percent said they have a favorable view of McConnell, with 34 percent holding an unfavorable view.
The numbers are similar for McConnell’s counterpart, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.). The poll found that 21 percent said they had never heard of Reid and 27 percent had a favorable opinion of the top Senate Democrat while 38 percent said they had an unfavorable opinion.
It’s somewhat surprising that the House leadership is so much better known than the Senate leadership, although perhaps that’s explained by the fact that the political battles of the past two years have mostly taken place in the House. As for why Pelosi is less popular than any of the other leaders, I suppose it’s because she’s been out front the longest, first as Speaker and now as House Minority Leader.
Since House members tend to be more politically extreme then Senate members, you would expect the House leadership to say things that attract media attention more often than Senate leadership.
@Stormy Dragon:
As an example, I’m sure you’ve heard of Tip O’Neil and Newt Gingrich, right? Without looking can you name their corresponding Senate leaders?
She ‘s simultaneously the most-liked (tied with Boehner) and least-liked; this would seem to be a function of being the most well-known of the four and being absolutely HATED by republicans. She’s actually improved in popularity since the last time OTB covered this.
Since Republicans tend to run against Pelosi (as a hated figure), I can see why her numbers are down. Democrats tend not to run down Boehner as much. I also wonder if the fact that Pelosi is a powerful women is a factor.
Most hated leader! Are you kidding me? Nancy Pelosi is one strong lady, she got things done. Unlike John Boehner who is scared stiff of the Tea Party and even his own shadow. The man is pathetic and gutless. If I were him I’d be ashamed to show my face in front of a camera. Denying any help to President Obama to help create jobs and help the country move forward. The most embarrassing, useless speaker in years!
The campaign of character assassination by the Conservative Entertainment Complex might have something to do with it too. Plus Republican stereotypes about uppity women.
@Stormy Dragon: My. guesses : Barry Goldwater, Sam Nunn
@Stormy Dragon:
Bob Dole is one, I think.
Bailouts!!
When you consider that EVERY Republican has an unfavorable opinion of her (I know, I know … it’s shocking) she’s actually doing okay.
@Stormy Dragon: Bob Dole?
@al-Ameda: No, her voting record is way outside of main stream and main street America. It is also outside some of the Constitution.
@Tyrell: Outside the mainstream of America? I presume that you mean to imply that the Democratic Party, which won the recent presidential election and controls the Senate, is also outside the mainstream ? Exactly how has Pelosiacted acted outside the Constitution, and what views does she hold that most Americans find to be unconstitutional ?
@josh:
Bob Dole was briefly the majority at the end of O’Neil’s career and the beginning of Gingrich’s, but for most of the time Robert Byrd or Howard Baker for O’Neil and Trent Lott for Gingrich.
You’re forgetting George Mitchell. He was Senate Majority leader from 1989 to 1995.
She’s a tough, capable woman in a position of authority over men. Of course lots of people hate her.