Poll:

Percentage of Americans Citing Government as Top US Problem Jumps

A near record high number of Americans are citing government as a top US problem, according to a new poll.

News ID: 447541

Date: 22 October 2019 - 20:07

RNA - A Gallup poll released Monday found 34 percent of Americans surveyed listed the government, poor leadership or politicians as the most important problem in the US, The Hill reported.

The figures represent an 11-point increase since September, and the 34 percent figure is just 1 point shy of the all-time high Gallup recorded on the issue in February, after the government shutdown ended.

While both Democrats and Republicans are more likely now to cite government and politicians as a crucial problem, Democrats are more annoyed with the White House, according to Gallup, while Republicans broadly approve of Trump and disapprove of Congress.

The poll also found that respondents are less satisfied with the direction of the country.

Twenty-eight percent say they are satisfied with the country's direction, a 5-point fall from February. The party shifts on the question are huge, with 53 percent of Republicans saying they are satisfied compared to just 11 percent of Democrats and 26 percent of independents.

The second “most important problem” in the US, according to the Gallup polling, is immigration, at 13 percent. Other issues cited by Americans include race relations, at 6 percent, health care, at 5 percent, and climate change, at 4 percent.

Problems mentioned by less than 4 percent of adults in October are not shown.

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