Gallup 's Pulse of Democracy
The Economy
|
Guidance for Lawmakers
|
- The economy is an abiding issue in the minds of Americans. Explicit top-of-mind concern about the economy waxes and wanes depending on the current economic indicators and the presence of other high visibility problems, but is always important when the public is asked about it specifically. Along with national security, keeping the economy on solid footing can be considered one of the basic requirements of elected representatives.
- Americans tend to view the U.S. economy through the prism of jobs. Americans say maintaining the availability of good jobs is the No. 1 thing they would recommend to improve the economy. Statistical research shows that the public's evaluation of the jobs situation has the strongest relationship to evaluation of the overall economy.
- As of late summer 2007, fewer than 4 in 10 Americans say now is a good time to be looking for a quality job. In recent months, this perception has deteriorated some. Still, it is up from the low points of 2003, but again, not nearly as high as it was during the boom years of the late 1990s.
- American concern about the economy as a top-of-mind issue remained relatively low so far in 2007, perhaps in large part because the war in Iraq is such a dominant concern.
- Most Americans believe the U.S. economy is getting worse, rather than better. In September, 7 in 10 Americans held this view, a level Gallup has rarely found.
- Americans are most concerned that the problems in the home mortgage-lending industry -- home foreclosures and subprime mortgages -- will have a negative effect on the U.S. economy, with 70% saying they are very or somewhat worried about this. Between 35% and 40% of Americans are concerned that these problems will negatively affect their own personal financial situation, including their day-to-day finances, investments, and home value.
- The hierarchy of personal financial problems that Americans face -- and presumably therefore the problems they want government to address -- centers on healthcare costs, the price of gas, simply not having enough money, having too much debt, the impact of rising costs and inflation, college, retirement, and the costs associated with home ownership. Americans' views of their most pressing personal financial problems vary significantly by socioeconomic status and by age.
-
While Americans believe they pay too much in taxes, they do not appear to prioritize more tax cuts as the primary cure for economic problems. Americans are concerned about the federal deficit and some data suggest that the public would favor reducing the deficit rather than cutting taxes. Americans are suspicious of big business, and tend to favor almost any economic proposal that puts the onus of reform on business.
- When financial problems such as the cost of gas become highly visible, they concomitantly become problems the public wants government to deal with.
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Fine Print
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"Fixing" the economy is to a significant degree always a concern for elected representatives and government, just as is keeping the people of a country safe from foreign attack. The question for elected representatives becomes exactly what the government should do about the economy.
The public tends to focus on economic issues that are more obvious, such as jobs, the price of gas, the price of healthcare, and the cost of college. Government efforts to control the economy through indirect means such as Federal Reserve actions are less likely to resonate with Americans even though they may ultimately be the most important.
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Context
|
It is important to realize that Americans view the economy through partisan eyes. With a Republican in the White House, Democrats are routinely more negative when assessing the economy than are Republicans. But still, nearly half of Republicans currently say the economy is getting worse.
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Urgency: Overall Importance as Political Issue
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The public is less likely now that at other times in U.S. history to say that the economy is the nation's No. 1 problem. A relatively small number of Americans mention the economy as the top priority for government, overwhelmed as it is by the public's focus on Iraq. Still, it is fair to say the economy is always a political issue of some underlying significance for Americans. But among Americans who are dissatisfied with the way things are going in the United States, economic concerns are most likely to be cited as the reason for the dissatisfaction.
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Impact on 2008 Vote
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The effect the economy will have on the 2008 presidential vote is unclear at this point. Some Democrats have argued that "middle-class angst" -- the costs of things such as healthcare, college, and housing -- will be a significant issue in the election. Even with the trend in broad indicators toward an increasingly negative economic outlook, because of Iraq the economy still may not be a defining issue in the election as it was in 1980, 1992, and other previous elections. Then again, perceptions that the economy is getting worse are at record high levels, tying only those found during the 1992 election campaign.
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Key Subgroup Differences
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Americans' views of the economic problems facing their families vary by socioeconomic status. Those with lower incomes are more concerned about basic issues such as having enough money and too much debt. Those with higher incomes are more concerned about specific issues such as college costs and retirement. Democrats are more likely than Republicans to cite economic concerns as the nation's top problems. Democrats rate the nation's economy much more negatively than do Republicans.
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The Bottom Line
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Constituents will always expect their elected representatives to do what they can to keep the national economy sound. Public opinion data suggest that elected representatives' attempts to deal with broad, macroeconomic concerns would most fruitfully deal with jobs. Elected representatives' focus on more personal, targeted concerns would deal with such things as healthcare costs, retirement, and college costs. Tax cuts are not a high priority for Americans. Americans' personal economic concerns vary by their socioeconomic status. It is not yet clear just how important the economy will be in the 2008 presidential election, but by the beginning of the fall 2007, it appears that the salience of the economy in the election is increasing, leaving open the possibility that it may be a major factor, particularly if the Iraq war appears be become less of a concern.
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What is the most important financial problem facing your family today? [OPEN-ENDED]
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Recent Trend:
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Apr
2008
|
Feb
2008
|
Oct
2007
|
Jul
2007
|
Jun
2007
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Lack of money/Low wages
|
15
|
10
|
13
|
15
|
13
|
|
Energy costs/Oil and gas prices
|
14
|
8
|
5
|
8
|
11
|
|
High cost of living/Inflation
|
10
|
7
|
6
|
6
|
7
|
|
Cost of owning/renting a home
|
10
|
11
|
11
|
8
|
8
|
|
Healthcare costs
|
10
|
14
|
19
|
19
|
16
|
|
Too much debt/Not enough money to pay debts
|
9
|
13
|
8
|
7
|
7
|
|
College expenses
|
6
|
6
|
6
|
6
|
7
|
|
Unemployment/Loss of job
|
6
|
5
|
2
|
4
|
3
|
|
Retirement savings
|
5
|
6
|
4
|
6
|
8
|
|
State of the economy
|
3
|
2
|
*
|
1
|
*
|
|
Taxes
|
3
|
6
|
4
|
4
|
6
|
|
Lack of savings
|
2
|
2
|
2
|
3
|
2
|
|
Stock market/Investments
|
2
|
2
|
1
|
*
|
1
|
|
Interest rates
|
2
|
1
|
1
|
1
|
1
|
|
Controlling spending
|
1
|
1
|
--
|
*
|
*
|
|
Transportation/Commuting costs
|
1
|
1
|
1
|
*
|
2
|
|
Social Security
|
*
|
1
|
2
|
2
|
1
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other
|
3
|
3
|
3
|
3
|
3
|
|
None
|
12
|
14
|
19
|
15
|
12
|
|
No opinion
|
4
|
3
|
4
|
2
|
4
|
|
|
|
Percentages add to more than 100% due to multiple responses.
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Contact Gallup for full trend.
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1. How would you rate economic conditions in this country today -- as excellent, good, only fair, or poor?
Current Economic Situation Index = % Excellent/Good minus % Poor
2. Right now, do you think that economic conditions in the country as a whole are getting better or getting worse?
Future Economic Expectations Index = % Better minus % Worse
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Current Situation
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Future Expectations
|
|
pct. pts.
|
pct. pts.
|
|
2008 Apr 6-9
|
-33
|
-73
|
|
2008 Mar 6-9
|
-22
|
-79
|
|
2008 Feb 11-14
|
-25
|
-71
|
|
2008 Jan 30-Feb 2
|
-23
|
-61
|
|
2008 Jan 4-6
|
7
|
-62
|
|
2007 Dec 6-9
|
1
|
-50
|
|
2007 Nov 11-14
|
-1
|
-65
|
|
2007 Oct 4-7
|
10
|
-43
|
|
2007 Sep 14-16
|
8
|
-51
|
|
2007 Aug 13-16
|
13
|
-52
|
|
2007 Jul 12-15
|
20
|
-30
|
|
2007 Jul 6-8
|
15
|
-31
|
|
2007 Jun 11-14
|
11
|
-47
|
|
2007 May 10-13
|
9
|
-39
|
|
2007 Apr 2-5
|
25
|
-31
|
|
2007 Mar 11-14
|
23
|
-34
|
|
2007 Feb 1-4
|
27
|
-14
|
|
2007 Jan 15-18
|
37
|
-15
|
|
2006 Dec 11-14
|
26
|
-19
|
|
2006 Nov 9-12
|
24
|
-12
|
|
2006 Oct 20-22
|
22
|
-13
|
|
2006 Oct 9-12
|
25
|
-14
|
|
2006 Sep 7-10
|
12
|
-30
|
|
2006 Aug 7-10
|
15
|
-46
|
|
2006 Jul 6-9
|
19
|
-36
|
|
2006 Jun 1-4
|
18
|
-33
|
|
2006 May 8-11
|
4
|
-42
|
|
2006 Apr 10-13
|
15
|
-35
|
|
2006 Mar 13-16
|
14
|
-32
|
|
2006 Feb 9-12
|
18
|
-22
|
|
2006 Jan 20-22
|
21
|
-19
|
|
2006 Jan 9-12
|
25
|
-13
|
|
2005 Dec 19-22
|
17
|
-19
|
|
2005 Dec 5-8
|
17
|
-11
|
|
2005 Nov 17-20
|
13
|
-22
|
|
2005 Nov 7-10
|
11
|
-31
|
|
2005 Oct 24-26
|
14
|
-41
|
|
2005 Oct 13-16
|
2
|
-44
|
|
2005 Sep 26-28
|
4
|
-42
|
|
2005 Sep 12-15
|
6
|
-41
|
|
2005 Aug 22-25
|
10
|
-35
|
|
2005 Aug 8-11
|
18
|
-16
|
|
2005 Jul 25-28
|
9
|
-18
|
|
2005 Jul 7-10
|
18
|
-19
|
|
2005 Jun 16-19
|
14
|
-22
|
|
2005 Jun 6-8
|
15
|
-20
|
|
2005 May 23-26
|
21
|
-11
|
|
2005 May 2-5
|
6
|
-29
|
|
2005 Apr 18-21
|
7
|
-30
|
|
2005 Apr 4-7
|
14
|
-21
|
|
2005 Mar 21-23
|
8
|
-26
|
|
2005 Mar 7-10
|
19
|
-9
|
|
2005 Feb 21-24
|
18
|
-5
|
|
2005 Feb 7-10
|
24
|
3
|
|
2005 Jan 3-5
|
24
|
6
|
|
2004 Dec 5-8
|
18
|
5
|
|
2004 Nov 7-10
|
16
|
6
|
|
2004 Oct 11-14
|
12
|
-11
|
|
2004 Oct 9-10
|
11
|
-5
|
|
2004 Sep 13-15
|
17
|
2
|
|
2004 Aug 9-11
|
18
|
-1
|
|
2004 Jul 30-Aug 1
|
15
|
5
|
|
2004 Jul 8-11
|
16
|
13
|
|
2004 Jun 3-6
|
14
|
2
|
|
2004 May 2-4
|
2
|
-8
|
|
2004 Apr 5-8
|
12
|
2
|
|
2004 Mar 8-11
|
8
|
-3
|
|
2004 Feb 9-12
|
12
|
13
|
|
2004 Jan 12-15
|
16
|
14
|
|
2004 Jan 2-5
|
27
|
39
|
|
2003 Dec 11-14
|
18
|
28
|
|
2003 Nov 3-5
|
9
|
16
|
|
2003 Oct 24-26
|
-4
|
4
|
|
2003 Oct 6-8
|
-5
|
-1
|
|
2003 Sep 8-10
|
-9
|
-10
|
|
2003 Aug 4-6
|
2
|
-1
|
|
2003 Jul 7-9
|
-2
|
-4
|
|
2003 Jun 12-15
|
1
|
2
|
|
2003 May 19-21
|
-10
|
-8
|
|
2003 May 5-7
|
-6
|
-9
|
|
2003 Apr 7-9
|
5
|
-15
|
|
2003 Mar 29-30
|
3
|
-23
|
|
2003 Mar 24-25
|
13
|
-8
|
|
2003 Mar 3-5
|
-10
|
-44
|
|
2003 Feb 17-19
|
-16
|
-37
|
|
2003 Feb 3-6
|
-3
|
-33
|
|
2003 Jan 20-22
|
-11
|
-28
|
|
2003 Jan 13-16
|
-6
|
-20
|
|
2002 Dec 19-22
|
-4
|
-15
|
|
2002 Dec 5-8
|
1
|
-19
|
|
2002 Nov 22-24
|
9
|
-15
|
|
2002 Oct 31-Nov 3
|
2
|
-14
|
|
2002 Oct 3-6
|
-1
|
-29
|
|
2002 Sep 23-26
|
2
|
-19
|
|
2002 Sep 5-8
|
1
|
-19
|
|
2002 Aug 19-21
|
-4
|
-10
|
|
2002 Aug 5-8
|
9
|
-23
|
|
2002 Jul 29-31
|
7
|
-5
|
|
2002 Jul 22-24
|
3
|
-32
|
|
2002 Jul 9-11
|
8
|
-26
|
|
2002 Jun 17-19
|
18
|
7
|
|
2002 Jun 3-6
|
22
|
10
|
|
2002 May 20-22
|
29
|
15
|
|
2002 May 6-9
|
21
|
13
|
|
2002 Apr 22-24
|
25
|
18
|
|
2002 Apr 8-11
|
27
|
16
|
|
2002 Mar 4-7
|
20
|
17
|
|
2002 Feb 4-6
|
12
|
-6
|
|
2002 Jan 7-9
|
13
|
8
|
|
2001 Dec 6-9
|
15
|
-4
|
|
2001 Nov 8-11
|
12
|
-29
|
|
2001 Oct 11-14
|
25
|
-22
|
|
2001 Sep 14-15
|
37
|
-32
|
|
2001 Sep 7-10
|
13
|
-51
|
|
2001 Aug 16-19
|
22
|
-32
|
|
2001 Jul 19-22
|
30
|
-18
|
|
2001 Jun 11-17
|
30
|
-31
|
|
2001 May 10-14
|
25
|
-38
|
|
2001 Apr 6-8
|
31
|
-39
|
|
2001 Mar 5-7
|
36
|
-33
|
|
2001 Feb 1-4
|
28
|
-43
|
|
2001 Jan 10-14
|
61
|
-24
|
|
2000 Dec 2-4
|
55
|
-9
|
|
2000 Nov 13-15
|
65
|
12
|
|
2000 Oct 6-9
|
67
|
20
|
|
2000 Aug 18-19
|
70
|
34
|
|
2000 Jul 25-26
|
70
|
29
|
|
2000 May 18-21
|
57
|
15
|
|
2000 Jan 7-10
|
66
|
46
|
|
1999 Oct 21-24
|
57
|
18
|
|
1999 Sep 10-14
|
59
|
30
|
|
1999 Aug 24-26
|
57
|
23
|
|
1999 Jun 4-5
|
69
|
33
|
|
1999 Jan 15-17
|
65
|
35
|
|
1998 Dec 4-6
|
57
|
14
|
|
1998 Sep 1
|
56
|
13
|
|
1998 Mar 20-22
|
59
|
4
|
|
1997 Dec 18-21
|
36
|
48
|
|
1997 Nov 6-9
|
49
|
10
|
|
1997 Aug 22-25
|
36
|
14
|
|
1997 May 6-7
|
31
|
10
|
|
1997 Jan 31-Feb 2
|
27
|
7
|
|
1996 Oct 26-29
|
34
|
12
|
|
1996 Aug 30-Sep 1
|
21
|
15
|
|
1996 Jul 18-21
|
29
|
-3
|
|
1996 May 9-12
|
11
|
-10
|
|
1992 Sep 11-15
|
-40
|
-30
|
|
1992 Aug 31-Sep 2
|
-43
|
-41
|
|
1992 Jun 12-14
|
-29
|
-33
|
|
1992 Apr 9-12
|
-36
|
-5
|
|
1992 Jan 3-6
|
-29
|
-49
|
How would you rate economic conditions in this country today -- as excellent, good, only fair, or poor?
|
|
Excellent
|
Good
|
Only
fair
|
Poor
|
No
opinion
|
|
%
|
%
|
%
|
%
|
%
|
|
2008
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2008 Apr 6-9
|
1
|
12
|
40
|
46
|
*
|
|
2008 Mar 6-9
|
2
|
15
|
44
|
39
|
*
|
|
2008 Feb 11-14
|
1
|
13
|
46
|
39
|
1
|
|
2008 Jan 30-Feb 2
|
2
|
17
|
39
|
42
|
1
|
|
2008 Jan 4-6
|
3
|
29
|
43
|
25
|
1
|
|
2007
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2007 Dec 6-9
|
3
|
25
|
45
|
27
|
1
|
|
2007 Nov 11-14
|
2
|
25
|
44
|
28
|
1
|
|
2007 Oct 4-7
|
5
|
28
|
44
|
23
|
*
|
|
2007 Sep 14-16
|
3
|
28
|
46
|
23
|
*
|
|
2007 Aug 13-16
|
4
|
29
|
46
|
20
|
1
|
|
2007 Jul 12-15
|
8
|
32
|
40
|
20
|
*
|
|
2007 Jul 6-8
|
8
|
28
|
42
|
21
|
*
|
|
2007 Jun 11-14
|
5
|
29
|
43
|
23
|
*
|
|
2007 May 10-13
|
4
|
28
|
45
|
23
|
*
|
|
2007 Apr 2-5
|
8
|
35
|
40
|
18
|
*
|
|
2007 Mar 11-14
|
6
|
32
|
47
|
15
|
*
|
|
2007 Feb 1-4
|
8
|
35
|
41
|
16
|
*
|
|
2007 Jan 15-18
|
11
|
41
|
33
|
15
|
*
|
|
2006
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2006 Dec 11-14
|
8
|
34
|
41
|
16
|
1
|
|
2006 Nov 9-12
|
8
|
32
|
43
|
16
|
--
|
|
2006 Oct 20-22
|
9
|
35
|
33
|
22
|
1
|
|
2006 Oct 9-12
|
7
|
34
|
42
|
16
|
1
|
|
2006 Sep 7-10
|
5
|
29
|
44
|
22
|
1
|
|
2006 Aug 7-10
|
5
|
31
|
43
|
21
|
*
|
|
2006 Jul 6-9
|
5
|
33
|
42
|
19
|
1
|
|
2006 Jun 1-4
|
6
|
30
|
46
|
18
|
*
|
|
2006 May 8-11
|
4
|
25
|
45
|
25
|
*
|
|
2006 Apr 10-13
|
5
|
33
|
40
|
23
|
--
|
|
2006 Mar 13-16
|
4
|
30
|
45
|
20
|
1
|
|
2006 Feb 6-9
|
4
|
34
|
42
|
20
|
*
|
|
2006 Jan 20-22
|
5
|
34
|
41
|
18
|
1
|
|
2006 Jan 9-12
|
8
|
35
|
37
|
18
|
1
|
|
2005
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2005 Dec 19-22
|
6
|
33
|
39
|
22
|
*
|
|
2005 Dec 5-8
|
6
|
31
|
43
|
20
|
*
|
|
2005 Nov 17-20
|
5
|
32
|
39
|
24
|
*
|
|
2005 Nov 7-10
|
3
|
29
|
47
|
21
|
*
|
|
2005 Oct 24-26
|
3
|
26
|
45
|
25
|
1
|
|
2005 Oct 13-16
|
3
|
25
|
46
|
26
|
*
|
|
2005 Sep 26-28
|
3
|
28
|
41
|
27
|
1
|
|
2005 Sep 12-15
|
3
|
28
|
44
|
25
|
*
|
|
2005 Aug 22-25
|
4
|
30
|
42
|
24
|
*
|
|
2005 Aug 8-11
|
4
|
32
|
46
|
18
|
*
|
|
2005 Jul 25-28
|
4
|
28
|
44
|
23
|
1
|
|
2005 Jul 7-10
|
3
|
33
|
45
|
18
|
1
|
|
2005 Jun 16-19
|
4
|
33
|
40
|
23
|
*
|
|
2005 Jun 6-8
|
4
|
31
|
45
|
20
|
*
|
|
2005 May 23-26
|
3
|
37
|
41
|
19
|
*
|
|
2005 May 2-5
|
1
|
30
|
44
|
25
|
*
|
|
2005 Apr 18-21
|
2
|
29
|
44
|
24
|
1
|
|
2005 Apr 4-7
|
3
|
29
|
49
|
18
|
1
|
|
2005 Mar 21-23
|
2
|
30
|
43
|
24
|
1
|
|
2005 Mar 7-10
|
3
|
32
|
48
|
16
|
1
|
|
2005 Feb 21-24
|
5
|
33
|
42
|
20
|
*
|
|
2005 Feb 7-10
|
3
|
37
|
44
|
16
|
*
|
|
2005 Jan 3-5
|
3
|
38
|
42
|
17
|
*
|
|
2004
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2004 Dec 5-8
|
2
|
35
|
43
|
19
|
1
|
|
2004 Nov 7-10
|
3
|
33
|
44
|
20
|
*
|
|
2004 Oct 11-14
|
2
|
32
|
44
|
22
|
*
|
|
2004 Oct 9-10
|
4
|
31
|
40
|
24
|
1
|
|
2004 Sep 13-15
|
3
|
36
|
39
|
22
|
*
|
|
2004 Aug 9-11
|
3
|
36
|
40
|
21
|
*
|
|
2004 Jul 30-Aug 1
|
6
|
32
|
39
|
23
|
*
|
|
2004 Jul 8-11
|
5
|
32
|
41
|
21
|
1
|
|
2004 Jun 3-6
|
3
|
32
|
44
|
21
|
*
|
|
2004 May 2-4
|
2
|
27
|
43
|
27
|
1
|
|
2004 Apr 5-8
|
3
|
31
|
44
|
22
|
*
|
|
2004 Mar 8-11
|
2
|
30
|
44
|
24
|
*
|
|
2004 Feb 9-12
|
2
|
31
|
46
|
21
|
--
|
|
2004 Jan 12-15
|
3
|
34
|
42
|
21
|
--
|
|
2004 Jan 2-5
|
3
|
40
|
41
|
16
|
*
|
|
2003
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2003 Dec 11-14
|
3
|
34
|
44
|
19
|
*
|
|
2003 Nov 3-5
|
2
|
28
|
49
|
21
|
*
|
|
2003 Oct 24-26
|
2
|
24
|
44
|
30
|
*
|
|
2003 Oct 6-8
|
2
|
20
|
50
|
27
|
1
|
|
2003 Sep 8-10
|
1
|
20
|
49
|
30
|
*
|
|
2003 Aug 4-6
|
1
|
24
|
52
|
23
|
*
|
|
2003 Jul 7-9
|
1
|
23
|
50
|
26
|
*
|
|
2003 Jun 12-15
|
1
|
25
|
49
|
25
|
*
|
|
2003 May 19-21
|
1
|
20
|
47
|
31
|
1
|
|
2003 May 5-7
|
1
|
21
|
50
|
28
|
*
|
|
2003 Apr 7-9
|
2
|
25
|
51
|
22
|
*
|
|
2003 Mar 29-30
|
1
|
25
|
51
|
23
|
*
|
|
2003 Mar 24-25
|
3
|
30
|
47
|
20
|
--
|
|
2003 Mar 3-5
|
1
|
21
|
46
|
32
|
*
|
|
2003 Feb 17-19
|
1
|
17
|
48
|
34
|
*
|
|
2003 Feb 3-6
|
2
|
20
|
53
|
25
|
*
|
|
2003 Jan 20-22
|
1
|
19
|
49
|
31
|
*
|
|
2003 Jan 13-16
|
2
|
20
|
50
|
28
|
*
|
|
2002
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2002 Dec 19-22
|
1
|
23
|
48
|
28
|
*
|
|
2002 Dec 5-8
|
2
|
23
|
51
|
24
|
*
|
|
2002 Nov 22-24
|
2
|
30
|
45
|
23
|
*
|
|
2002 Oct 31-Nov 3
|
2
|
26
|
45
|
26
|
1
|
|
2002 Oct 3-6
|
2
|
24
|
46
|
27
|
1
|
|
2002 Sep 23-26
|
2
|
25
|
47
|
25
|
1
|
|
2002 Sep 5-8
|
2
|
22
|
53
|
23
|
*
|
|
2002 Aug 19-21
|
1
|
23
|
47
|
28
|
1
|
|
2002 Aug 5-8
|
1
|
27
|
52
|
19
|
1
|
|
2002 Jul 29-31
|
2
|
27
|
48
|
22
|
1
|
|
2002 Jul 22-24
|
2
|
25
|
48
|
24
|
1
|
|
2002 Jul 9-11
|
2
|
26
|
51
|
20
|
1
|
|
2002 Jun 17-19
|
2
|
35
|
43
|
19
|
1
|
|
2002 Jun 3-6
|
3
|
33
|
49
|
14
|
1
|
|
2002 May 20-22
|
3
|
38
|
46
|
12
|
1
|
|
2002 May 6-9
|
2
|
33
|
51
|
14
|
*
|
|
2002 Apr 22-24
|
2
|
37
|
46
|
14
|
1
|
|
2002 Apr 8-11
|
2
|
36
|
51
|
11
|
*
|
|
2002 Mar 4-7
|
3
|
31
|
51
|
14
|
1
|
|
2002 Feb 4-6
|
2
|
26
|
55
|
16
|
1
|
|
2002 Jan 7-9
|
2
|
27
|
54
|
16
|
1
|
|
2001
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2001 Dec 6-9
|
2
|
29
|
53
|
16
|
*
|
|
2001 Nov 8-11
|
2
|
29
|
50
|
19
|
*
|
|
2001 Oct 11-14
|
2
|
36
|
48
|
13
|
1
|
|
2001 Sep 14-15
|
3
|
43
|
44
|
9
|
1
|
|
2001 Sep 7-10
|
2
|
30
|
49
|
19
|
*
|
|
2001 Aug 16-19
|
2
|
34
|
49
|
14
|
1
|
|
2001 Jul 19-22
|
3
|
38
|
47
|
11
|
1
|
|
2001 Jun 11-17
|
3
|
39
|
45
|
12
|
1
|
|
2001 May 10-14
|
3
|
37
|
45
|
15
|
*
|
|
2001 Apr 6-8
|
4
|
41
|
41
|
14
|
*
|
|
2001 Mar 5-7
|
3
|
43
|
43
|
10
|
1
|
|
2001 Feb 1-4
|
7
|
44
|
36
|
13
|
*
|
|
2001 Jan 10-14
|
11
|
56
|
27
|
6
|
*
|
|
2000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2000 Dec 2-4
|
12
|
51
|
28
|
8
|
1
|
|
2000 Nov 13-15
|
19
|
53
|
21
|
7
|
*
|
|
2000 Oct 6-9
|
14
|
57
|
24
|
4
|
1
|
|
2000 Aug 18-19
|
25
|
49
|
21
|
4
|
1
|
|
2000 Jul 25-26
|
26
|
48
|
21
|
4
|
1
|
|
2000 May 18-21
|
17
|
49
|
24
|
9
|
1
|
|
2000 Apr 3-9
|
14
|
46
|
30
|
9
|
1
|
|
2000 Jan 7-10
|
19
|
52
|
23
|
5
|
1
|
|
1999
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1999 Oct 21-24
|
16
|
49
|
27
|
8
|
*
|
|
1999 Sep 10-14
|
20
|
47
|
24
|
8
|
1
|
|
1999 Aug 24-26
|
14
|
50
|
28
|
7
|
1
|
|
1999 Jun 4-5
|
18
|
56
|
21
|
5
|
*
|
|
1999 Jan 15-17
|
14
|
55
|
27
|
4
|
*
|
|
1998
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1998 Dec 4-6
|
13
|
52
|
27
|
8
|
*
|
|
1998 Oct 29-Nov 1
|
13
|
53
|
27
|
6
|
1
|
|
1998 Sep 1
|
11
|
54
|
25
|
9
|
1
|
|
1998 Mar 20-22
|
20
|
46
|
27
|
7
|
*
|
|
1997
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1997 Dec 18-21
|
7
|
41
|
38
|
12
|
2
|
|
1997 Nov 6-9
|
10
|
48
|
33
|
9
|
*
|
|
1997 Aug 22-25^
|
8
|
41
|
38
|
13
|
*
|
|
1997 May 6-7
|
7
|
39
|
38
|
15
|
1
|
|
1997 Jan 31-Feb 2
|
4
|
38
|
43
|
15
|
*
|
|
1996
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1996 Oct 26-29
|
5
|
42
|
39
|
13
|
1
|
|
1996 Aug 30-Sep 1 †
|
3
|
34
|
46
|
16
|
1
|
|
1996 Jul 18-21
|
5
|
38
|
43
|
14
|
*
|
|
1996 May 9-12
|
3
|
27
|
50
|
19
|
1
|
|
1996 Apr 9-10
|
1
|
26
|
52
|
20
|
1
|
|
1996 Mar 15-17
|
2
|
31
|
48
|
18
|
1
|
|
1996 Jan 5-7
|
1
|
28
|
47
|
23
|
1
|
|
1995
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1995 Nov 6-8
|
2
|
28
|
47
|
22
|
1
|
|
1995 May 11-14
|
2
|
27
|
50
|
20
|
1
|
|
1994
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1994 Dec 16-18
|
2
|
25
|
52
|
21
|
*
|
|
1994 Nov 2-6
|
2
|
28
|
49
|
20
|
1
|
|
1994 Oct 22-25
|
1
|
25
|
52
|
21
|
1
|
|
1994 Jul 15-17
|
1
|
26
|
52
|
21
|
*
|
|
1994 Apr 22-24
|
1
|
23
|
49
|
26
|
1
|
|
1994 Jan 15-17
|
*
|
22
|
54
|
24
|
*
|
|
1993
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1993 Dec 4-6
|
1
|
20
|
57
|
21
|
1
|
|
1993 Nov 2-4
|
1
|
16
|
50
|
33
|
*
|
|
1993 Aug 8-10
|
*
|
10
|
49
|
40
|
1
|
|
1993 Jun 29-30
|
1
|
14
|
52
|
32
|
1
|
|
1993 Feb 12-14
|
*
|
14
|
46
|
39
|
1
|
|
1992
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1992 Dec 18-20
|
2
|
16
|
34
|
47
|
1
|
|
1992 Dec 4-6
|
1
|
14
|
41
|
43
|
1
|
|
1992 Oct 23-25
|
*
|
11
|
45
|
43
|
1
|
|
1992 Sep 11-15
|
1
|
10
|
37
|
51
|
1
|
|
1992 Aug 31-Sep 2 †
|
1
|
9
|
37
|
53
|
*
|
|
1992 Jun 12-14 †
|
1
|
11
|
47
|
41
|
*
|
|
1992 Apr 9-12 †
|
1
|
11
|
40
|
48
|
*
|
|
1992 Jan 3-6
|
*
|
12
|
46
|
41
|
1
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
* Less than 0.5%
|
|
^ Asked of half sample
|
|
† Asked of registered voters
|
Right now, do you think that economic conditions in the country as a whole are getting better or getting worse?
|
Getting
better
|
Getting
worse
|
Same
(vol.)
|
No
opinion
|
|
%
|
%
|
%
|
%
|
|
2008
|
|
|
|
|
|
(NA) 2008 Apr 6-9
|
10
|
83
|
6
|
1
|
|
(NA) 2008 Mar 6-9
|
8
|
87
|
4
|
2
|
|
(NA) 2008 Feb 11-14
|
11
|
82
|
5
|
1
|
|
(NA) 2008 Jan 30-Feb 2
|
15
|
76
|
6
|
3
|
|
(NA) 2008 Jan 4-6
|
15
|
77
|
6
|
2
|
|
2007
|
|
|
|
|
|
(NA) 2007 Dec 6-9
|
21
|
71
|
6
|
2
|
|
(NA) 2007 Nov 11-14
|
13
|
78
|
6
|
3
|
|
(NA) 2007 Oct 4-7
|
23
|
66
|
8
|
3
|
|
(NA) 2007 Sep 14-16
|
20
|
71
|
7
|
2
|
|
(NA) 2007 Aug 13-16
|
20
|
72
|
6
|
2
|
|
(NA) 2007 Jul 12-15
|
29
|
59
|
10
|
3
|
|
(NA) 2007 Jul 6-8
|
30
|
61
|
7
|
3
|
|
(NA) 2007 Jun 11-14
|
23
|
70
|
6
|
2
|
|
(NA) 2007 May 10-13
|
28
|
67
|
5
|
1
|
|
(NA) 2007 Apr 2-5
|
29
|
60
|
9
|
2
|
|
(NA) 2007 Mar 11-14
|
28
|
62
|
7
|
3
|
|
(NA) 2007 Feb 1-4
|
38
|
52
|
7
|
2
|
|
(NA) 2007 Jan 15-18
|
38
|
53
|
6
|
3
|
|
2006
|
|
|
|
|
|
(NA) 2006 Dec 11-14
|
35
|
54
|
8
|
2
|
|
(NA) 2006 Nov 9-12
|
38
|
50
|
8
|
4
|
|
(NA) 2006 Oct 20-22
|
41
|
54
|
4
|
2
|
|
(NA) 2006 Oct 9-12
|
38
|
52
|
7
|
3
|
|
(NA) 2006 Sep 7-10
|
31
|
61
|
6
|
2
|
|
(NA) 2006 Aug 28-30
|
22
|
68
|
8
|
2
|
|
(NA) 2006 Jul 6-9
|
28
|
64
|
7
|
2
|
|
(NA) 2006 Jun 1-4
|
28
|
61
|
9
|
3
|
|
(NA) 2006 May 8-11
|
26
|
68
|
4
|
2
|
|
(NA) 2006 Apr 10-13
|
29
|
64
|
5
|
2
|
|
(NA) 2006 Mar 13-16
|
29
|
61
|
8
|
2
|
|
(NA) 2006 Feb 6-9
|
34
|
57
|
7
|
3
|
|
(NA) 2006 Jan 20-22
|
35
|
54
|
7
|
3
|
|
(NA) 2006 Jan 9-12
|
39
|
52
|
7
|
2
|
|
2005
|
|
|
|
|
|
(NA) 2005 Dec 19-22
|
37
|
56
|
5
|
2
|
|
(NA) 2005 Dec 5-8
|
39
|
50
|
8
|
3
|
|
(NA) 2005 Nov 17-20
|
36
|
58
|
5
|
1
|
|
(NA) 2005 Nov 7-10
|
30
|
61
|
7
|
2
|
|
(NA) 2005 Oct 24-26
|
25
|
66
|
7
|
2
|
|
(NA) 2005 Oct 13-16
|
24
|
68
|
6
|
2
|
|
(NA) 2005 Sep 26-28
|
24
|
66
|
7
|
3
|
|
(NA) 2005 Sep 12-15
|
25
|
66
|
7
|
2
|
|
(NA) 2005 Aug 22-25
|
28
|
63
|
7
|
2
|
|
(NA) 2005 Aug 8-11
|
36
|
52
|
9
|
3
|
|
(NA) 2005 Jul 25-28
|
35
|
53
|
9
|
3
|
|
(NA) 2005 Jul 7-10
|
35
|
54
|
8
|
3
|
|
(NA) 2005 Jun 16-19
|
35
|
57
|
6
|
2
|
|
(NA) 2005 Jun 6-8
|
35
|
55
|
8
|
2
|
|
(NA) 2005 May 23-26
|
41
|
52
|
5
|
2
|
|
(NA) 2005 May 2-5
|
32
|
61
|
6
|
1
|
|
(NA) 2005 Apr 18-21
|
31
|
61
|
5
|
3
|
|
(NA) 2005 Apr 4-7
|
35
|
56
|
6
|
3
|
|
(NA) 2005 Mar 21-23
|
33
|
59
|
6
|
2
|
|
(NA) 2005 Mar 7-10
|
41
|
50
|
6
|
3
|
|
(NA) 2005 Feb 21-24
|
43
|
48
|
7
|
2
|
|
(NA) 2005 Feb 7-10
|
47
|
44
|
7
|
2
|
|
(NA) 2005 Jan 3-5
|
48
|
42
|
7
|
3
|
|
2004
|
|
|
|
|
|
(NA) 2004 Dec 5-8
|
47
|
42
|
8
|
3
|
|
(NA) 2004 Nov 7-10
|
49
|
43
|
6
|
2
|
|
(NA) 2004 Oct 11-14
|
39
|
50
|
8
|
3
|
|
(NA) 2004 Oct 9-10
|
43
|
48
|
7
|
2
|
|
(NA) 2004 Sep 13-15
|
47
|
45
|
6
|
