Fewer Than Three In 10 Americans Like The Federal Government

A Pew Research Center survey shows that percentage has dropped steadily over the past dozen years, from a high of 81 percent just after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. Democrats, predictably, have more favorable views of the federal government than Republicans do, at 41 percent to 13. But this is the first time since President Barack Obama took office that more Democrats are more likely to say they have an unfavorable view of Washington. There's better news for state and local governments. Regardless of party, people were more likely to have favorable views of them.