50% of Pennsylvanians Would Rather Be Represented by a Groundhog in Congress

Just in time for Groundhog Day on Feb. 2, Public Policy Polling (PPP) revealed 50% of Pennsylvanians think the groundhog Punxsutawney Phil “would do a better job than most current members of Congress.” Twenty-nine percent said he would not, and 21% were “not sure.”

Dean Debnam, President of Public Policy Polling, said in a statement, “Americans have so little faith in Congress these days they’d rather be represented by a groundhog.”

The data suggests the rodent should get a new job, considering only 8% thought the animal seeing his shadow was a reliable indicator of how long winter would last.

The pollsters surveyed 1,042 registered voters in Pennsylvania between Jan.15 and 18. The margin of error for this poll is ± 3%.

Past entertaining PPP polls have showed Americans favor Ronald McDonald for president over Burger King, and that Republicans prefer olives as a pizza topping twice as much as Democrats.

Read Next: What’s the Point of Goofy Polls?

Why Republicans Run in Cowboy Boots

Like a lot of Republican ideas, the trend toward wearing cowboy boots began with Ronald Reagan.

Popperfoto/Getty Images

President George W. Bush, showing off boots with the presidential seal here at his inauguration, furthered the trend.

Pablo Martinez Monsivais—AP

Former Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty, shown here on the stump in Iowa, favored cowboy boots.

Chip Somodevilla—Getty Images

They're also a favored fashion statement for former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum.

NBC News/Getty Images

Even former New York City Mayor Rudolph Giuliani was known to sport a pair.

Jose Luis Magana—AP

It's not just men. Former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin has been known to put on a pair of cowboy boots.

Jeff J. Newman—ZUMA Press/Corbis

Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee also goes for the look.

Justin Sullivan—Getty Images

Like his predecessor, former Texas Gov. Rick Perry long favored cowboy boots, but he's no longer able to wear them.

Tom Worner—AP

Texas Sen. Ted Cruz is also a fan.

Charlie Neibergall—AP

Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul also favors boots with blue jeans, a classic Western look.

Charles Ommanney—Getty Images

These days, if you're running for president as a Republican, chance are good that you are wearing cowboy boots.

Richard Shiro—AP

Even Rep. Paul Ryan of Wisconsin has been known to wear them.

J.D. Pooley—Getty Images

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Write to Olivia B. Waxman at olivia.waxman@time.com.