Gallup released data on Wednesday showing that only 48 percent of Americans think that anyone currently running for President would be a good person to lead the nation (including President Obama), against 46 percent who think none of the candidates would be. The numbers are more evidence that Americans are frustrated with government in a more general sense, which is weighing on all parties and candidates alike.
Americans are also displeased with the way in which the campaign process is working, which could be part of the more general negative attitude Gallup is finding toward the way the nation’s government is working.
On the other hand, Americans’ views of the candidates’ ideas for solving problems are actually more positive now than they were in 1992, although less positive than in January 2008.
All in all, Americans’ views of the election process so far share some similarities to what they were in early 1992, when an incumbent president was also running for re-election in the context of a troubled economy.
