'Frustration Index' near highest ever

WASHINGTON, Nov. 8 (UPI) -- U.S. voters are as frustrated as they were before the 2010 mid-term elections, the ABC News Frustration Index indicates.

The index measures voter frustration based on presidential approval, the economy's performance and other measures, and stands at 72 on a scale of 0 to 100, matching the September 2010 level just before voters frustrated with the economy gave Republicans control of the House of Representatives and major gains in the Senate, the network reported.

The index, which also takes into account dissatisfaction with the government and anti-incumbent sentiment, is drawn from the latest ABC News-Washington Post poll and has ranged from a low of 39 in 1998 to a high of 80 in fall 2008.

ABC said the index rises to 85 among those who say their economic situation has worsened since President Barack Obama took office, 83 among those who rate the economy "poor," 82 among those concerned about their standard of living and 81 among those who worry they won't have enough resources for retirement.

The index climbs to 86 among Republicans, the highest for the GOP since June 2010, and stands at 78 among conservatives and strong supporters of the Tea Party. It's 87 for backers of Republican presidential contender and businessman Herman Cain and 88 for those who support former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney for the GOP nomination.

Among those who support Obama in the 2012 presidential race, the index is in the mid-50s, ABC said.