The Week in Polls: Aug. 11

Americans disapprove of Congress and the nation's direction.

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President Barack Obama - The debt-ceiling battle has taken a toll on President Obama's approval rating. According to a CNN/Opinion Research Corporation poll, 54 percent of Americans say they disapprove of how he is handling his job as president.(AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

Mitt Romney - Mitt Romney announced this week that he wouldn't be signing the pledge.(Photo: EPA/JUSTIN LANE /LANDOV)

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Republican Presidential Field - Mitt Romney at 24 percent continues to hold a solid lead in the GOP presidential nominating race, a USA Today/Gallup poll finds. But, that could change if Texas Gov. Rick Perry, who came in second with 17 percent, throws his ten-gallon hat into the ring. Rep. Ron Paul was third at 14 percent, followed by Rep. Michele Bachmann at 13 percent.EPA/JUSTIN LANE /LANDOV

Republican Party - A new CNN/Opinion Research Corporation survey has found that 59 percent of Americans have an unfavorable view of the Republican Party, compared to 47 percent who view the Democratic Party unfavorably. The Tea Party also is unpopular, with a 51 percent disapproval rating.

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Republican Party - A new CNN/Opinion Research Corporation survey has found that 59 percent of Americans have an unfavorable view of the Republican Party, compared to 47 percent who view the Democratic Party unfavorably. The Tea Party also is unpopular, with a 51 percent disapproval rating.

Government Spending Cuts - Six in 10 Americans, including Republicans, Democrats and independents, want members of the new "super committee" charged with recommending federal budget cuts to compromise, even if they personally disagree with the final plan, according to a new Gallup poll. A majority of Tea Party supporters (53 percent), however, say members should hold out for a plan they agree with even if it prevents the committee from reaching an agreement.

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Government Spending Cuts - Six in 10 Americans, including Republicans, Democrats and independents, want members of the new "super committee" charged with recommending federal budget cuts to compromise, even if they personally disagree with the final plan, according to a new Gallup poll. A majority of Tea Party supporters (53 percent), however, say members should hold out for a plan they agree with even if it prevents the committee from reaching an agreement.

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Higher Taxes for the Rich - A USA Today poll finds that 66 percent of Americans support higher taxes for the nation's top earners. In addition, 66 percent favor raising revenues by making changes in the tax code and 59 percent support cuts in domestic spending.

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Throw the Bums Out? - A USA Today/Gallup poll survey found that a record low number of Americans (21 percent) say that members of Congress deserve to be re-elected. Only 14 percent of independents say most members deserve re-election, compared with 24 percent of Republican and 26 percent of Democratic voters.

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Throw the Bums Out? - A USA Today/Gallup poll survey found that a record low number of Americans (21 percent) say that members of Congress deserve to be re-elected. Only 14 percent of independents say most members deserve re-election, compared with 24 percent of Republican and 26 percent of Democratic voters.

Tea Party Supporters - When asked whether members of Congress who support the Tea Party have had a mostly positive or negative effect or no effect at all, more Americans (29 percent) said their effect has been negative, according to a Pew Research Center survey. That is a significant increase from January, when just 18 percent of respondents said they've had a negative effect.(Photo: Landov)

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Tea Party Supporters - When asked whether members of Congress who support the Tea Party have had a mostly positive or negative effect or no effect at all, more Americans (29 percent) said their effect has been negative, according to a Pew Research Center survey. That is a significant increase from January, when just 18 percent of respondents said they've had a negative effect.(Photo: Landov)

The Nation's Direction - An increasing number of Americans are feeling more pessimistic about the nation's future. A McClatchy-Marist poll finds that seven in ten U.S. residents, or 70 percent, believe that the nation is moving in the wrong direction. This is an increase from June, when 59 percent said they believed the country was on the wrong track.

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The Nation's Direction - An increasing number of Americans are feeling more pessimistic about the nation's future. A McClatchy-Marist poll finds that seven in ten U.S. residents, or 70 percent, believe that the nation is moving in the wrong direction. This is an increase from June, when 59 percent said they believed the country was on the wrong track.