Features

More than half of Californians believe Congress is doing a good job, according to a poll released Thursday. 

The poll, conducted by the Field Institute, reported that despite the relatively high rating, a majority of Californians foresee political gridlock on Capitol Hill. 

The poll also reported the Supreme Court suffered in the eyes of state residents after the protracted fight over the presidential re-count and that the state’s two Democratic senators, Dianne Feinstein and Barbara Boxer, continue to be popular. 

The Field Poll surveyed 1,001 California adults by phone Jan. 12 through 16. The margin of error was 3.2 percentage points. 

Congress fared relatively well in the poll, with 54 percent of respondents saying they approve of the overall job performance of congressional members and 35 percent saying they disapprove. 

That 54 percent approval rating jumped from 41 percent in June 2000 and 33 percent in Oct. 1999, but was less than the 57 percent peak in Aug. 1998. 

Despite that relatively favorable opinion of Congress, Californians said given the GOP’s razor-thin margin in the House and even split in the Senate, gridlock will prevail over cooperation. 

While 52 percent predicted gridlock, 42 percent expected progress. 

Meanwhile, California’s two senators did well. 

Feinstein received approval from 60 percent of respondents — a full eight percentage points higher than June 2000 and her highest rating since 1994. Only in March 1999 has Boxer equaled the 51 percent approval rating she received from those polled. 

The Supreme Court’s reputation, however, has taken a hit. 

Though 63 percent of respondents approved of the institution to 28 percent who didn’t, the election re-count hurt its reputation. Among the 41 percent of respondents who said the case affected their opinion of the court, 30 percent said the re-count case “lowered their opinion of the court” while just 11 percent said the case improved its standing.