In the July edition of AEI's Political Report, the AEI Politics team explores public attitudes towards Congress, the political parties, the health care ruling, the 2012 presidential election and more.

  AEI Political Report, July 2012

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• Paid staff and blood relatives: Only 17 percent approve of the job Congress is doing, and just 13 percent have a great deal or quite a lot of confidence in Congress as an institution. In the latest poll, 51 percent say it’s time to give a new person a chance in their district; 61 percent do not want most members re-elected.  

• GOP brand problems: While both parties in Congress receive approval ratings below 30 percent, more people have a “very negative” impression of the Republican Party (26 percent) than the Democratic Party (19 percent).

• Now what? Nearly all polls on the Supreme Court’s health care decision show closely divided opinions. In several, views about the law have ticked up. The real question is what Americans want to do next.  A slight majority (51 percent) would prefer to see all provisions repealed.

• Obama-mentum: Six major pollsters now show the presidential race is neck and neck, but 58 percent of registered voters think Barack Obama is going to win, while only 34 percent think Mitt Romney will carry the day. Do people think Romney’s chances today are better than the generic Republican’s chances back in March?

• In [ ] we trust: Fifty-four percent of Americans now say they would vote for an atheist for president. We run the full trend back to 1958!

• Buckle up: Would Americans rather sit next to Romney or Obama on a long flight? What about you?

Breaking News: Congress is unpopular! Plus, fresh poll findings about Election 2012, health care, and more