Poll: Americans more optimistic economy is looking up

[WestVirginiaRebel]

USA Today:

WASHINGTON – Americans may be downbeat about today's economy, a USA TODAY/Gallup Poll finds, but they are increasingly optimistic that things are about to get better for the nation and themselves.

Though an overwhelming 71% rate economic conditions as poor, a 58% majority predict they will be good a year from now. While those surveyed are inclined to say they are worse off financially than a year ago, nearly two-thirds say they think they'll be better off this time next year.

The assessment of personal finances already is on the upswing. More than a third report they are better off than they were a year ago — the highest number since before the economic meltdown in 2008. (They're still outnumbered by the four in 10 who say they're worse off, though.)

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The sense that the recession's impact finally is lifting should be good news for President Obama, since an improving economy typically boosts the prospects for a White House incumbent running for re-election.

Indeed, regardless of which candidate they support, those surveyed predict by 56%-36% that the president will win in November over Republican Mitt Romney. That's a bigger edge than Obama had at this point four years ago; then, by 52%-41%, Americans said he would defeat Republican John McCain.

 

By Sue Ogrocki, AP

Mitt Romney’s favorable-unfavorable rating has jumped to 50%-41%, his best ever, according to a new USA TODAY/Gallup poll.

There's also encouraging news for Romney in the nationwide poll.

Since becoming the presumptive Republican nominee, Romney's favorable-unfavorable rating has jumped to 50%-41%, his best ever and in the same neighborhood as Obama's 52%-46% standing. The former Massachusetts governor gets stronger ratings than the president when it comes to handling the economy, the issue likely to drive the campaign.

In the poll, 55% say the economy would get better over the next four years if Romney was elected, compared with 46% who say it would improve if Obama was re-elected. Twenty-seven percent say the economy would get worse in a Romney first term, compared with 37% who say that of an Obama second term.

"We're right back where we've been all along: The economy is a major issue, and it's one which neither candidate has a serious advantage on," says Gary Jacobson, a political scientist at the University of California-San Diego. "Romney gets better ratings because of his reputation as a CEO, and Obama is going to benefit from the fact that optimism is increasing. … But it looks like it's extremely close."

For the first time during this campaign cycle, the GOP has an advantage in congressional elections. By 50%-44%, those surveyed say they're likely to vote for the Republican congressional candidate. The two parties were tied in the USA TODAY Poll in February, and Democrats had a 7-point advantage last August.

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It's still the economy...