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December 2008 Political Scientists Survey
Grade Congress
1. Does Congress protect its powers from presidential encroachment?
A |
2.4% |
B |
36.6% |
C |
31.7% |
D |
26.8% |
F |
2.4% |
2. Does it carry out effective oversight of the president and executive branch?
A |
7.3% |
B |
39.0% |
C |
29.3% |
D |
22.0% |
F |
2.4% |
3. Does Congress generally fulfill its national policymaking responsibilities?
A |
2.4% |
B |
31.7% |
C |
48.8% |
D |
14.6% |
F |
2.4% |
4a. Does the HOUSE allow members in the minority to play a role?
A |
0.0% |
B |
20.0% |
C |
47.5% |
D |
27.5% |
F |
5.0% |
4b. Does the SENATE allow members in the minority to play a role?
A |
42.5% |
B |
40.0% |
C |
15.0% |
D |
2.5% |
F |
0.0% |
5a. Does the HOUSE follow good process and conduct its business in a deliberate way?
A |
2.5% |
B |
40.0% |
C |
40.0% |
D |
17.5% |
F |
0.0% |
5b. Does the SENATE follow good process and conduct its business in a deliberate way?
A |
5.0% |
B |
30.0% |
C |
45.0% |
D |
20.0% |
F |
0.0% |
6a. Does the HOUSE engage in productive discussion and allow all points of view on an issue to be heard?
A |
2.6% |
B |
12.8% |
C |
46.2% |
D |
35.9% |
F |
2.6% |
6b. Does the SENATE engage in productive discussion and allow all points of view on an issue to be heard?
A |
10.3% |
B |
53.8% |
C |
33.3% |
D |
2.6% |
F |
0.0% |
7a. Does the legislative process in the HOUSE involve a proper level of compromise, consensus?
A |
5.1% |
B |
15.4% |
C |
43.6% |
D |
33.3% |
F |
2.6% |
7b. Does the legislative process in the SENATE involve a proper level of compromise, consensus?
A |
5.0% |
B |
50.0% |
C |
32.5% |
D |
10.0% |
F |
2.5% |
8a. Does the HOUSE keep excessive partisanship in check?
A |
2.6% |
B |
7.9% |
C |
31.0% |
D |
47.4% |
F |
10.5% |
8b. Does the SENATE keep excessive partisanship in check?
A |
2.5% |
B |
32.5% |
C |
27.5% |
D |
37.5% |
F |
0.0% |
9a. Is the leadership in the HOUSE effective?
A |
17.5% |
B |
52.5% |
C |
25.0% |
D |
5.0% |
F |
0.0% |
9b. Is the leadership in the SENATE effective?
A |
2.6% |
B |
41.0% |
C |
43.6% |
D |
12.8% |
F |
0.0% |
10. Does Congress hold members to high standards of ethical conduct?
A |
5.3% |
B |
34.2% |
C |
39.5% |
D |
15.8% |
F |
5.3% |
11. Does Congress focus on the key issues facing the country?
A |
12.5% |
B |
52.5% |
C |
30.0% |
D |
5.0% |
F |
0.0% |
12. Do members educate themselves well on the key issues facing the country?
A |
10.3% |
B |
46.2% |
C |
35.9% |
D |
7.7% |
F |
0.0% |
13. Does Congress consider the long-term implications of policy issues, not just short-term?
A |
2.5% |
B |
15.0% |
C |
55.0% |
D |
20.0% |
F |
7.5% |
14. Does conflict in Congress reflect substantive differences, rather than political game-playing?
A |
12.5% |
B |
37.5% |
C |
42.5% |
D |
7.5% |
F |
0.0% |
15.Does Congress do a good job in passing the federal budget?
A |
2.5% |
B |
17.5% |
C |
40.0% |
D |
37.5% |
F |
2.5% |
16. Does Congress reflect our nation's diversity?
A |
13.2% |
B |
52.6% |
C |
23.7% |
D |
10.5% |
F |
0.0% |
17. Does Congress make its workings and activities open to the public?
A |
26.3% |
B |
63.2% |
C |
10.5% |
D |
0.0% |
F |
0.0% |
18. Do legislators broadly reflect the interests of their constituents?
A |
30.0% |
B |
60.0% |
C |
10.0% |
D |
0.0% |
F |
0.0% |
19. Do legislators make a good effort to educate their constituents about Congress?
A |
12.5% |
B |
22.5% |
C |
47.5% |
D |
15.0% |
F |
2.5% |
20. Do legislators make a good effort to be accessible to their constituents?
A |
52.5% |
B |
47.5% |
C |
0.0% |
D |
0.0% |
F |
0.0% |
21. Does Congress keep the role of special interests within proper bounds?
A |
2.5% |
B |
30.0% |
C |
42.5% |
D |
17.5% |
F |
7.5% |
22. Does Congress reform itself sufficiently to keep up with changing needs?
A |
2.6% |
B |
31.6% |
C |
44.7% |
D |
21.1% |
F |
0.0% |
23. All things considered, how well does Congress represent the American people?
A |
7.5% |
B |
45.0% |
C |
42.5% |
D |
5.0% |
F |
0.0% |
Grade US Citizens
1. Contacting their members of Congress on issues that concern them.
A |
5.0% |
B |
25.0% |
C |
47.5% |
D |
22.5% |
F |
0.0% |
2. Following what is going on in Congress on a regular basis.
A |
2.5% |
B |
0.0% |
C |
20.0% |
D |
47.5% |
F |
30.0% |
3. Voting in congressional elections.
A |
2.5% |
B |
12.5% |
C |
60.0% |
D |
25.0% |
F |
0% |
4. Working through groups that share their interests to influence Congress.
A |
2.5% |
B |
30.0% |
C |
60.0% |
D |
7.5% |
F |
0% |
5. Understanding the main features of Congress and how it works.
A |
2.5% |
B |
2.5% |
C |
15.0% |
D |
55.0% |
F |
25% |
6. Having a reasonable understanding of what Congress can and should do.
A |
2.6% |
B |
2.6% |
C |
23.1% |
D |
56.4% |
F |
15.4% |