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American Voters Angry with Incumbents

A significant percentage of American voters are determined to vote for opposition figures in the upcoming mid-term elections in November. While individually Americans are divided on just what is wrong with the country, a solid majority of around 76% agree that something needs to change, and they are blaming the incumbents of either major political party. The dissatisfaction stretches across the political spectrum, with both self-identifying conservatives and liberals upset over the economy, illegal immigration, the war in Iand the general direction the country is headed.

For a number of months analysts have been expecting a major upset for the Republican Party in November, with some liberals openly expressing joy at the prospect of a black eye being given the Bush administration. However, a sober reading of the statistics indicates that a clear-cut Democratic victory and recovery of either one or both houses of Congress is hardly guaranteed. And even if a majority of incumbents are turned out of office, many Americans are of the opinion that not much will change for the country even so.

The pessimistic mood isn?t being helped by the media, with the New York Times recently focusing readers? minds on the pessimism of the moment and economic figures, when they are good, being made to seem less important or influential than they actually are. Criticism has been rife over President George W. Bush?s handling of the Iraq war, with there being an apparent gap between White House rhetoric and facts on the ground at times but also with the media generally focusing on attacks and not on Iraq?s democratically elected government.