Washington (CNN) - Americans are angry at both the Republican and Democratic parties, according to a new CNN/Opinion Research Corporation poll released Thursday. But the survey also indicates the public continues to blame the GOP more than the Democrats for the country's current economic woes even though the Democrats have controlled both the White House and Congress for a year and a half.
Fifty-three percent of people questioned say when it comes to the way the Democrats and Republicans have been dealing with the nation's problems, they are angry at both parties, with nine percent saying they're mad only at the Republicans and seven percent angry only at the Democrats. Just over three in ten say they're not angry at either party.
"That's not good news for the Democrats, since an anti-incumbent mood always hurts the party with more incumbents, but it suggests that 2010 may not be a precise replay of 1994," says CNN Polling Director Keating Holland.
The survey indicates that nearly six in ten Independent voters say they are angry at both parties, with only four percent angry only at the GOP and six percent mad only at the Democrats. Just over three in ten say they are not angry at either party.
The poll suggests a slight generational divide, with 43 percent of those under age 50 saying they are not mad at either party. That number drops to 15 percent for those 50 and older.
According to the survey, 41 percent say the Republicans are more to blame for the country's current economic problems, with 28 percent saying the fault lies with the Democrats and just over one in four saying both parties are responsible.
"This is another indication that this year's midterm elections may not be a repeat of 1994. A poor economy usually benefits the out-party, but a plurality of the public blames the GOP, not the Democrats, by a three-to-two ratio," adds Holland.
Among Independent voters, 21 percent blame the Democrats, 35 percent say the GOP is responsible and 36 percent blame both parties for the economic mess.
The CNN/Opinion Research Corporation poll was conducted Wednesday, June 16, with 534 adult Americans questioned by telephone. The survey's overall sampling error is plus or minus 4.5 percentage points.
