WASHINGTON -- Americans have historically swung between anger at big business and anger at Washington. This year their rage has targeted business and government with equal fury.

Public frustration over Wall Street failures that led to the financial crisis was typified by the uproar over bonus payments to American International Group Inc. executives. Those feelings haven't dissipated, political strategists say. At the same time, Americans are equally upset at what they call overreaching by Congress and federal bureaucrats,...