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The nation's mood: "It's just messed up"

Photo: Pablo Martinez Monsivais / AP

In Sunday's Post ... "Seven in 10 Americans say the nation's political divisions are at least as big as during the Vietnam War, according to a [Washington Post-University of Maryland] poll, which also finds nearly 6 in 10 saying Donald Trump's presidency is making the U.S. political system more dysfunctional," the WashPost's John Wagner and Scott Clement write:

  • Nine months into Trump's presidency, the poll "reveals a starkly pessimistic view of U.S. politics, widespread distrust of the nation's political leaders and their ability to compromise, and an erosion of pride in the way democracy works in America."
  • Why it matters: "Seven in 10 Americans say the nation's politics have reached a dangerous low point, and a majority of those believe the situation is a 'new normal' rather than temporary."
  • This is big: "Americans are feeling frustrated not only with the country's politics but their ability to talk about politics in a civil way."
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