Skip to content

The cranky American: A tale told with polls

Political Theater, Episode 305

A spectator encourages runners at the Peace Monument during the Marine Corps Marathon on Oct. 29, 2022.
A spectator encourages runners at the Peace Monument during the Marine Corps Marathon on Oct. 29, 2022. (Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call)

If you’re feeling cranky about politics, please know this: You’re not alone. Public polling shows a remarkably wide swath of Americans with historically poor views of politics and politicians. Granted, polls are snapshots, not oil paintings, so to speak. But the body politic does seem to be in a pretty rough patch. Here to discuss the political climate and what it might mean as we gear up for another election is Nathan L. Gonzales, Roll Call’s campaign analyst and publisher of Inside Elections.

Show Notes:

Recent Stories

Photos of the week | September 25-October 1, 2026

House Democrats grow more bullish about midterms as target list expands

Guns, voting and immigration on deck for Supreme Court

‘Pain in the ass’: Trump again shows annoyance with Paxton after leaked audio

Rare out-of-session hearing draws top Banking Democrat’s ire

Bill easing seniors’ wheelchair upgrade costs clears Senate