Recent polling has revealed who the least popular, most unfavorable lawmakers are on Capitol Hill. A Harvard-Harris poll last week gave the top honor to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell.
McConnell received worse scores than both President Trump and House Speaker Paul Ryan. Only 19 percent gave him a favorable rating, compared to 49 percent who had a negative opinion of him.
However, Ryan isn't safe from scorn. A separate poll from NBC News/Survey Monkey found that he is every bit as unpopular as his gaffe-prone Democratic counterpart Nancy Pelosi. Ryan is viewed negatively by 63 percent of respondents, compared to Pelosi's 64 percent.
Of course, it's no surprise that the Republican leaders are getting the blame for the party's failed initiatives. Seven years of campaigning on their goal of repealing and replacing Obamacare fizzled to nothing when it came time to vote, meaning President Obama's unpopular legislation is still the law. Conservatives have every right to be peeved. With health care being punted, what hope do voters have for tax reform?
McConnell has recently deferred blame for his party's failures. When President Trump publicly criticized Republicans for failing to get Obamacare repealed, McConnell responded defiantly that the president has "excessive expectations."
The two had reportedly not spoken for weeks. Yet, Trump is winning the war of words. Katie pointed out that the president is far outpacing McConnell in the majority leader's own state.
Having said all that, Trump's numbers could be better too.
Join the conversation as a VIP Member