April 29, 2009
Posted: April 29th, 2009 10:32 PM ET
Americans think the performance of the Republican leaders in Congress deserves a grade of C minus.
Americans think the performance of the Republican leaders in Congress deserves a grade of C minus.

(CNN) – A new national poll suggests that Americans think the performance of the Republican leaders in Congress deserves a grade of C minus.

The CNN/Opinion Research Corporation survey, released Wednesday as the Obama administration marks 100 days in office, asked respondents to use a grading scale of A, B, C, D and F, where A is excellent and F is very poor.

Five percent of those questioned gave the Republican Congressional leadership an A, 23 percent a B, 39 percent a C, 19 percent a D and 14 percent a F. The grade averaged out to a C minus.

The CNN/Opinion Research Corporation poll was conducted April 23-26, with 2,019 adult Americans questioned by telephone. The survey's sampling error is plus or minus two percentage points.

Filed under: CNN National Report Card


James lee   August 6th, 2009 9:40 pm ET

MSM have failed to tell not always the true story and seldom the important story F

BaRock says   April 29th, 2009 11:29 pm ET

F–

Michelle Bachman, Boner and Steele

D.Williams   April 29th, 2009 11:18 pm ET

I feel that the GOP has disrespected the Office of the President before the American people. They have not shown a genuine concern about solving the issues at hand which was the economy, only what they stand for. If they where truly concerned about the condition of the nation, they would have put aside their own conservative views and work towards one cause. These are not leaders who should represent no one, for they only serve their own personal agenda's.

Neil   April 29th, 2009 11:15 pm ET

The Republican Party is in a definite state of disarray. Neo-conservative reactionaries are marginalizing moderates, alienating young people and minorities. Plenty of issues could be employed to challenge the administration, but the Party seems locked in a permanent identity crisis. If they can't keep Specter on the Right side of the aisle, support from contributors must be drying up as well. As long as Republican leadership continues to allow the public face of the Party to be pundits like Limbaugh and Hannity, they will fail to realize any effective leadership role. A holding action is the best that can be hoped for. Grade D-.

xargaw   April 29th, 2009 11:15 pm ET

I give Harry Reid a D and Mitch McConnell a Z, because an F is way too good. Pelosi a C+ and Boehner an F, just because he has failed but isn't smart enough to get a lower score on purpose.

Simmy   April 29th, 2009 11:14 pm ET

F= House and Senate leaders

D = Snowe and Dukakis for still being members

FF+ = Michael Steele for opening his mouth

Had It   April 29th, 2009 11:11 pm ET

What???? They can't lead – they can't even find their own values.

Same old same old. They live in horse and buggy, keep-em-barefoot and pregnant days.

Go away

KATHLEEN   April 29th, 2009 11:11 pm ET

My vote for the performance level of the Republicans would be a
resounding F. Kindergarters would have scored better .

While we are at giving out grades to idiots lets include the media:

Hannity, is there anything worse than an F.
Limbaugh, a big fat mouth F-
Rove a big head F-

And the Republican Speaker or Leader of the Pack
Boehner, a resounding F-

PS. They want the Pres. to fail. Now isn't that just as sinfully unpatriotic as you can get. That is like saying they want America
to fail. That means they don't care about America. And they thing
the country could do better with them egotistical b--- running it!!!!
Greed, Power, and run the poor and middle class down, and play
up to their rich friends, just like Bush-Cheney. Bunch of dimwits!!!!

Pamela Dockery-Howard   April 29th, 2009 11:08 pm ET

In listening to Senator Eric Cantor tonight I see that the GOP has formed yet another new committee, determined to bring up Pelosi and Reid even though questions are about Pres. Obama. They should know that that trying to negatively link them has not and will not work. In talking about bipartisanism–the president went to the GOP and even before he could make his case, the members were told "no matter what he says, we are going to vote NO!" Bipartisan my foot. So, after getting the GOP door slammed in his face, Mr Obama has done the right thing and moved on to get the business of this country on track.

Terry   April 29th, 2009 11:08 pm ET

The Republicans Do have alot of great ideas, however, the Democrates want total power and will not allow Republicans (they represents over 550mil people,,,,,,,

The current US population in 2008 was estimated to be around 308 million. Where are the other 242 million?

Ellen   April 29th, 2009 11:08 pm ET

An F, for failing to take responsibility for their actions, for whining too much, for failing to lose gracefully, for failing to make any effort to shed their high horsemanship (more like high chairmanship).

shirley   April 29th, 2009 11:05 pm ET

obama did not cause you to lose your house or job,bush made sure of that.you was losing all of that before obama took office.would you had blame mccain if he was elected, or did you prefer selected.GO PRESIDENT BARRACK OBAMA.I voted for you, and i would not change that for all the tea in china.lol

Cheryl   April 29th, 2009 11:05 pm ET

What republican leadership?
We haven't heard one viable or new idea from any of the Republicans in the House or Senate. Good leadership does not simply browbeat a team to fall in line to generate an agenda of complete opposition. That is the action of a bully.

Good leadership cultivates ideas and welcomes diversity of opinions to create a strong solution to problems. The Democrats are known for their in-fighting, but at least ideas are born from those discussions.
Whether you agree with their solutions or not, an effort is being made.
Republicans...not so much.

Anonymous   April 29th, 2009 11:03 pm ET

the republicans lost – get over it and get on board with getting our country back on track. this is what the populace wants. Eric Cantor is not someone whose opinion I have any respect for. He is very partisan, is quite ambitious and has no credibility because of this.

Gary from Madison, WI   April 29th, 2009 11:02 pm ET

WOW!! They got a C-?! That's alot higher than I was expecting for the party of 'NO'.

CynG   April 29th, 2009 11:01 pm ET

The bottomline is the GOP congressional leadership deserves a big F !!!

Betsy B   April 29th, 2009 11:01 pm ET

A generous D- for the grumpy old men of the GOP!

Cindy   April 29th, 2009 11:01 pm ET

I thought this was a good idea, until I saw the results of the Republican leadership. Then I knew it was fixed. I am a Rep, and I can't believe that they could get a rating of c. For God's sake, they haven't done anything. Now I know that I can't trust CNN.

Carlos   April 29th, 2009 11:01 pm ET

Repubs get an a+ for not bowing down and suckin up to Obama like the Dems do

Richard Law   April 29th, 2009 11:00 pm ET

The modern Republican Party seems to have only two ideas: first, a fundamentalist embrace of the "market," which is seen as the solution to all problems. Second, if things–unaccountably, by their theories of government– don't go well, the only governmental action permissible is to provide tax cuts for the wealthy. The party has often been wrong, but it has never been so intellectually bankrupt as it is today.

As to their vaunted moral claims, the Republican Party's "Southern strategy" of appealing to whites disenchanted with integration and civil rights seems to me to trump any and all claims to Christian morality.

Where would they be without their admittedly impressive media skills and ability to sow doubt and instill fear?

STEVE in Oregon   April 29th, 2009 11:00 pm ET

Republican party is absent of leadership.
Thankfully at least no member of congress has supported this wreckless spending / bail-outs.

Our country is starving for leadership..
President Obama and congress never read the largest spending bill in our countries history..

while the media proudly follows President Obama giving him an " A" first 100 days in office, while hard working citizens are out of work...

Flush the toliet both sides in congress and Mr President, less talking and more action..
Close Gitmo tomorrow and get out of Iraq..something you demanded from bush.

Joe D.   April 29th, 2009 10:59 pm ET

They are a bad joke. F- -

Anonymous   April 29th, 2009 10:58 pm ET

I give obama a d+

Thousand Rats   April 29th, 2009 10:58 pm ET

much like Pelosi and Reid; entrenched, part of the "good ol" boy pack and as stated for the Democrats...... McConnel and Boehner are as worthless as a milk bucket under a bull not mention these two are in udder confusion and are milking a dry teat.

ellynn sky   April 29th, 2009 10:58 pm ET

I believe they deserve a true A+ for trying their best to stop all this wastefull spending. They truley care about our country and our childrens future. Those lefties are all about themself and the heck with what will happen down the road, all they care about is more spending and more control. Those stupid Demi-Brates actually think that bigger government will make everything ok.

GOD BLESS US ALL

jim donald   April 29th, 2009 10:57 pm ET

the party of no is without leadership, that is why senator spector has left after a long career as a republican, will snow and collins follow spector??? its possible,because they are in the same spot that spector was in, part of the move was political,there seems to be evil in the actions of some republican socalled leadership.if they dont become more moderate.they will be out for a generation.just like they were after FDR was elected, to restore our country's respect

Rye   April 29th, 2009 10:57 pm ET

FF

tdbyaya   April 29th, 2009 10:56 pm ET

I would give me an "D" for their final grade. The same do nothing attutiude.

No Hillary = No Obama   April 29th, 2009 10:55 pm ET

"Leadership"? where is the leadership? Leaders don't let droves of citiizens lose their homes, their retirement accounts and their jobs. Leaders – that's a joke.

Anonymous   April 29th, 2009 10:54 pm ET

No one asked Obama any hard questions tonight. Why Not, can
you all see any imperfection in him. Remember he is not Christ.

Frannie   April 29th, 2009 10:54 pm ET

The Republicans Do have alot of great ideas, however, the Democrates want total power and will not allow Republicans (they represents over 550mil people) to even see the bills they have written. What happened to Obama saying "he will earn the respect of those that did'nt vote for him"? The Republicans pay all the bills and have no voice, I guess a "revolt" will be forthcomming, or at least, they will STOP paying taxes, then what?

jerome   April 29th, 2009 10:54 pm ET

All I was hearing when republicans were in control of congress was to much spending, Now the dems. are spending more and more passing bills without reading them. Their has been no change. Where is the CHANGE we were promised? 2010 the people will Change Congress.

Harvet Nirriw   April 29th, 2009 10:54 pm ET

He has completely failed in my opinion.

liberal gal   April 29th, 2009 10:53 pm ET

Okay CNN….I appricate you modesty with this one,but I think we should vote again,because I am positive that the grade for the NO party at best has to be a D-
I would only say this because of the 83 percent with individual saying that they are happy with their votes.
Hey but then again I am a supporter of the blue party:):)

Tony   April 29th, 2009 10:52 pm ET

The Party of NO......can not recieve anything higher than an F ... No can't accomplish a thing

Anonymous   April 29th, 2009 10:52 pm ET

what is the grade for the democratic congress. I give them a F-

Bayard   April 29th, 2009 10:51 pm ET

I agree with Janet. The Republican leadership has no ideas, no solutions, no clear ethics to bring to the table beyond the "Democrat president? Just say no to everything!" approach.

The party has been hijacked by its most hardcore elements. I wish there was more moderation and consensus building on the part of Conservatives in general.

Gary Bliss   April 29th, 2009 10:50 pm ET

Nay sayers!!!

JoeTerrogano   April 29th, 2009 10:49 pm ET

Obstructionism is no great accomplishment, just the only response when you are clueless for solutions. A dismal failure of poor leadership.

C.FL   April 29th, 2009 10:49 pm ET

D-
Below average, borderline failure. Where's the "leadership," GOP?! Please stop the party first nonsense and start working for all Americans.

Pam   April 29th, 2009 10:49 pm ET

I am soooo tired of obstructionism. I'm all about bipartisianship, it's got to go both ways. I've heard the GOP leadership stay entrenched in wanting things to only be the way they want it instead of gathering information and truly working on behalf of the American people.
At this point, I hold the GOP primarily responsible for the 'log jams' in Congress.

Risky business folks,,,, if it keeps up, I'll work to vote you out of office in my state...... I don't want EITHER party to have full dominance, but working together to find REAL solutions to the REAL problems in MY/OUR Country.

JOHN   April 29th, 2009 10:49 pm ET

Hey, the best thing about cnn politics is that Roland & Donna get to give some balance. you are not objective. why "SWINE" when H1N1 reflects the interest of the country & the economy.
no matter how hard you try history will rate OBAMA as a great President and the data compiled by cnn will be used to support a positive spin.

JOHN

MY GRADE FOR CNN POLITICS IS 'C' ONLY BECAUSE OF ROLAND & DONNA

Truth-Bomb Thrower   April 29th, 2009 10:49 pm ET

They persuaded Arlen "two-faced" Specter to leave the party, so I give them an "A!"

sherry alcaraz   April 29th, 2009 10:48 pm ET

I think Obama is the worst and has made the worse decisions of any
president the great United States of America has ever had, so i give him an F minus

Emteaj hossain   April 29th, 2009 10:48 pm ET

president is doing great job for the country.

Jo An Gaines   April 29th, 2009 10:48 pm ET

I can not believe how good Obama has been. He showed up to learn and to work. He did much better than I had suspected. I want him to do more for Palestine. More to end the war in Iraq. More for healthcare for all. I love seeing him 'in motion'. He is a star. Whether I agree with him or not, and sometimes I want him to go faster. I trust him...I respect him.

Fitz in Texas   April 29th, 2009 10:48 pm ET

Come on CNN get to Gibbs. Now those postings will be fun to read.

mjc   April 29th, 2009 10:47 pm ET

The GOP in the House and Senate deserve an F. They have provided NO rational solutions and NO bi-partisanship. To put it bluntly they have been failures and obstructionists.

The GOP Party basically requires you to pass a litmus test where you can't be pro-choice, you can't support equal rights marriage, you aren't a christian unless they deem you to be, and the exteme right wing could care less to be inclusive of any minority group.

marilyn lemm   April 29th, 2009 10:47 pm ET

Pres. Obama's first 100 days gets an A+. Each day brings some thing new to the table; these are monumental problems. He can get his mind around each subject to make decent decisions. He also has the good sense to surround himself with "good people".a

Mike Kaluakini   April 29th, 2009 10:47 pm ET

I think it's said how these republicans are suppose to be our leaders and they are so out of touch with America. It was like that for 8 years. I remember when Pres. bush was asked about the price of gas and he had no clue it was over $4 a gallon. And the Republican party wants us to go back to that? They really need to take some classes in leaership and forget the politics.

Sam   April 29th, 2009 10:46 pm ET

Regardless of whether they have good ideas or not, the Democrats aren't listening to anything they say, just like the Republicans didn't listen during the Bush Era. Vote all of the incumbents out!

janice osborne   April 29th, 2009 10:45 pm ET

I give the GOP... an "A"

they are against bigger government! they are against SOCIALISM...and the PORK!

A+ GRADE

ray   April 29th, 2009 10:45 pm ET

GOP= just say NO!

hanko   April 29th, 2009 10:45 pm ET

Every time I tune in the news there are the Republicans telling us that their tax cuts are the answer. Where mhave they been for the past 8 years
Asleep. that is the exactly why we are in this mess.

Chris from Va. Beach Va   April 29th, 2009 10:44 pm ET

The Grand Ole Party, are a COMPLETE FAILURE. They really do not have any ideas, nor do they have anyone who can lead them out of their downward spiral. Michael Steele has been an utterly joke with no vision and NO ANSWERS to nothing. I give them a F. for FAILURE

Debbie   April 29th, 2009 10:44 pm ET

C- Minus is generous so is F-. Turn on rush and sink back into the cesspool of hate that drives them.

Emily in Michigan   April 29th, 2009 10:44 pm ET

I think Dan Quayle explained it best when he said that the Republicans haven't abandoned the poor, it's the other way around. The poor never vote for them.

james1   April 29th, 2009 10:43 pm ET

people like this leaders make the republican party lost the congress, they don't learn, keep goin like this racist party and really close maind to the poor human bean, they need chance, yours politics don;t work
thanks!!!!!!!!!!!1

Jim, Honolulu   April 29th, 2009 10:43 pm ET

As a moderate Republican, I have been horrified at how my party's leadership has tried to obstruct progress in this time of national crisis. Everyone else seems to get, including a sizable portion of the Republican vote, that we have to pull together and put aside petty bickering and business-as-usual. But obviously the GOP leaders failed to read the last election's results. The GOP is in real danger of becoming an insignificant minor regional party, and rightfully so. Get on the wagon and stop fighting cultural wars we've already lost., or lose even more of us.

Carmen   April 29th, 2009 10:43 pm ET

I think Pres. Obama has done a wonderful job in his first 100 days. He has shown leadership in all aspects.

Dana H   April 29th, 2009 10:42 pm ET

C as a moderate republican I can see that they are more scared to support even the issues where they agree with Obama than they are to oppose him.

Claudette Chin   April 29th, 2009 10:42 pm ET

The current leadership of the Republican Party cannot transform the party.At this time keeping the base very happy makes no sense. The party has to devise a strategy to reach out to independents and moderate democrats.The base will always come home. They have no where else to go. New smart leadership is required

Jonathan Wald   April 29th, 2009 10:42 pm ET

Nothing constructive, just hell bent on bashing Obama.Period. They will reap the just fruits of their bitter bellicose endeavors...

Bob Whitford   April 29th, 2009 10:42 pm ET

The Republican leadership is out of touch and delusional.

Janet Jones   April 29th, 2009 10:41 pm ET

The republicans look like their lost and have lost their best friend, they have no solutions, no ideas, and their party is falling apart. I feel the republican party is just like a white country club, they are rich, arrogant, don't want anybody in that doesn't look like them. They want to stuff their so called morale values down everybody's throat, when they have no values themselves and only care about their kind.

TXDave   April 29th, 2009 10:41 pm ET

D Everytime they speak they sound like whiney crybabies!

Ken Johnson   April 29th, 2009 10:40 pm ET

If they stay as the party of no. there party will never grow... short and sweat poetry.

RJSBI   April 29th, 2009 10:40 pm ET

Most interesting. No one from the Administration gets to respond after viewers and your panelists grade President Obama, nor does the Democratic leadership. So please tell me why it is that the Republicans get the right to refute their C- rating almost as soon as the results are out of Wolf Blitzer's mouth?

Debra   April 29th, 2009 10:40 pm ET

There are times that saying 'No' is necessary. However, when the ARRA was before Congress, the Republicans should have lead the way in removing the earmarks and the pork if they really wanted to walk the talk. They should have insisted the U.S. made products and materials are the primary choices in every project that is to be undertaken.

james scott   April 29th, 2009 10:39 pm ET

the gop is lost in space!!!! they got their heads in the clouds, not down with the american people they have used moral issues long enough i changed my party afilliation from gop to dem thank god my eyes are finally open other will be too!!!! the dem are for working class americans and the gop is for the wealthy!! the only word the gop knws are no and bash a prez that is finallyfocusing on the workers grade F for the gop

Kim   April 29th, 2009 10:39 pm ET

Bahner F+
McConnel C+

Pelosi D+
Reid C+

IS IT 2012 YET ??   April 29th, 2009 10:39 pm ET

A. They'll be back in greater numbers in 2 years, and in the majority in 4 years, as the country sobers up from its' temporary case of Obama-Pop mania.

marilyn lemm   April 29th, 2009 10:39 pm ET

Both GOP leaders seemingly take their orders from some national
party mandate to " just sayb NO'.! What a waste for our great country.
Theses two people appear not to care about the American people and the every day challenges from health care to educations to energy. Awful...

Andrew-PV   April 29th, 2009 10:38 pm ET

What does Eric Cantor mean about the GOP being for freedom - does he mean the Democratic Party is not? Give me a break

And ask him about his flip flop on the super high speed rail which he derided last month and but now wants for his district.

M Nehrenz   April 29th, 2009 10:38 pm ET

It is time to work together. It is disappointing to see the GOP behavior. I can't believe that not one of our GOP congressional leaders agrees with something the President is doing. I see no spirit of coming together at all! You are voting along party lines. Get a clue people. American's are no longer impressed by this behavior. Your memory's are also short-it doesn't seem the person you supported for the last 8 years did such a great job....

Robin in Tampa, FL   April 29th, 2009 10:38 pm ET

The only thing the GOP leadership is good at is saying NO to everything.

Robin (FL)   April 29th, 2009 10:37 pm ET

Although the Republicans lack good leadership, they at least are taking a step back and asking...do we really need to be spending all this money? Is this what the tax payers really want from us?

They may be a bit disorganized, but at least they are standing up for what the tax payers put them in office for. Rather than continuing to blame others for the mess and just going on a spending spree. I mean..who cares how we got here and who is to blame...let's just fix it and do what is necessary to not let it happen again. Both parties..move forward already!!!

liberal gal   April 29th, 2009 10:36 pm ET

Okay CNN....I appricate you modesty with this one,but I think we should vote again,because I am positive that the grade for the NO party at best has to be a D- :)
I would only say this because of the 83 percent with individual saying that they are happy with their votes.
Hey but then again I am a supporter of the blue party:):)

Linda32   April 29th, 2009 10:36 pm ET

F for nothing but no!

Steve D.   April 29th, 2009 10:36 pm ET

A++++++++

Anonymous   April 29th, 2009 10:36 pm ET

It is surprising that even with cnn having mostly a liberal democrat viewership that the grades on the poll aren't much better for the liberals

chanell b jax fl   April 29th, 2009 10:35 pm ET

f

John   April 29th, 2009 10:35 pm ET

other one doesn't have a comment section. so this will do.

F

what leadership, they look like a couple of amateurs. Way to make the GOP the party of NO.

Carol Coulson   April 29th, 2009 10:34 pm ET

I give the GOP Congressional leadership.....D

Rick danuser   April 29th, 2009 10:33 pm ET

D

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