Americans' Confidence in Government Hits New Low

The economy, rising gas prices, and the Afghan war have Americans in a foul mood about their government, according to a new poll from ABC and the Washington Post. Some highlights:

• Only 26% are optimistic about "our system of government and how well it works," the lowest since the surveys began in 1974; about 23% are pessimistic, and a record high are "uncertain."
• Gas prices present a financial hardship for 71%, with 44% calling it a "serious" hardship.

• A record high 64% say the Afghan war isn't worth fighting, and 73% want a substantial reduction in troops over the summer.
• President Obama's job approval is at 51%, with 45% disapproving, figures that have been generally constant since late 2009. On the unrest in the Mideast and North Africa, 45% approve of the way Obama is handling it, and 44% disapprove.
• Congress' approval rating continues to be lousy: 27%.

(More opinion polls stories.)