Poll Finds 'Leadership Crisis' in America Ahead of McCain-Obama Election
The executive branch ranks lowest on the survey's leadership index, with Congress close behind
In the midst of a global financial crisis and a lame-duck presidency—and the impending election between Barack Obama and John McCain—80 percent of Americans believe the United States faces a "leadership crisis" today, according to a new poll. Three years ago, that figure was 65 percent.
Another sign of how bad things are: The traditional news media, usually near the bottom of popularity contests, ranked higher on the survey's leadership index than business leaders, Congress, and, in particular, the executive branch, which finished dead last. Confidence in the executive branch plummeted for the third year in a row, with 60 percent of Americans saying it gave them "not much" or "no" confidence, up from 49 percent last year.
The poll, undertaken jointly by the Center for Public Leadership at Harvard University's Kennedy School of Government and the Merriman River Group, asked 997 U.S. citizens about their faith in American leadership today, which of 13 leading sectors they trusted, and how they conceived of the president's role.
Only 2 of 13 sectors—military and medical—won a moderate amount of American confidence. The military's lead has lasted for four years in a row.
"It's a combination of multiple crises all at once and anxiety over the imminent change in our country's leadership," said Seth Rosenthal, the study's main author and a fellow at the center. "People don't know what will happen."
Confidence in business leaders dropped more than in any other sector. Of course, it couldn't have helped that the survey was taken in mid-September—during a market meltdown that included the Lehman Brothers bankruptcy, the bailout of insurance giant AIG, and the debate over the $700 billion rescue plan.
Most Americans do see the election as an important watershed for the country. For many, it would bring improvement. Nearly 39 percent of Americans said the country would be better after the election, while 7 percent said "worse." One quarter wrote in that it "depends who wins"—an option that wasn't even included in the question.
Reader Comments
Evolution
Nature has long had a way of dealing with the things that are no longer needed. I allows them to become extinct. The same should be true for every elected official serving in congress and in the white house. This year should mark the extinction of their political careers. Its obvious that none of them even bother to listen to those of us who placed them in office. The vast majority of Americans told them not to pass their wall street bailout. Did they listen? The majority of Americans voted against our current president, not once but twice. How did he get into office both of those times? What is to become of our elderly after they are too old to work? Is it fair after all of their years of hard work and paying taxes? I was taught in school as a child that our laws are made based upon the evolving standards of decency of a maturing society. I no longer see that as being true. I now see our laws being made to keep an established status-quo in place that guarantees that average everyday citizens of this once great country will remain no more than average or become much less. Why would we even consider trusting a political body that has already betrayed us on soo many occassions in the not so distant past (the last 40 years)? We are being treated as little more than sheep being led to the shearer to be fleeced. None of our current politicians are innocent of this fleecing, therefore, the next few years should should show all of them experiencing their political deaths. That is the only way for the citizens of this country to regain control of our lives. Otherwise, we are doomed to a new form of slavery. The kind in which we have to feed, clothe and house ourselves while making sure that our masters are all very well taken of. This is a true word to the wise.
Ignorant?
Dear Sandra of GA,
Could you explain and back your comments regarding Marxism and Communism? I think ignorant people like you should stay with McCain. We are in America and as a political expert, I don't think you should assume what other ignorant out there are talking about. Read and inform yourself before posting your opinion.
obama
you are ignorant to vote for obama.
with all his past friendships with marxist and communist.
stupid.
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