Poll states the obvious

A new Washington Post-ABC News poll says satisfaction is at its lowest point in more than a decade. Did anyone really need a poll to know this?

Growing frustration with the performance of the Democratic Congress combined with widespread public pessimism over President Bush's temporary troop buildup in Iraq has left satisfaction with the overall direction of the country at its lowest point in more than a decade, according to a new Washington Post-ABC News poll.

Almost six in 10 Americans said they do not think the additional troops sent to Iraq since the beginning of the year will help restore civil order in that country, and 53 percent -- a new high in Post-ABC News polls -- said they do not believe the Iraq war has contributed to the long-term security of the United States.

Disapproval of Bush's performance in office remains high, but the new poll highlighted growing disapproval of the new Democratic majority in Congress. Just 39 percent said they approved of the job Congress is doing, down from 44 percent in April, when the new Congress was about 100 days into its term. More significantly, approval of congressional Democrats dropped 10 percentage points over that same period, from 54 percent to 44 percent.

Bush's overall job approval rating stands at 35 percent, unchanged from April.

Is anyone surprised? Didn't think so.