Obama's Popularity Still Strong

The economy is sinking, but President Obama's popularity is rock solid, the Wall Street Journal reports. A new poll by NBC and the Journal puts his approval rating at 60%, even though 70% of Americans are dissatisfied with the economy. What's more, the number of Americans who say the nation is "generally headed in the right direction" jumped to 41% from 26% in mid-January, before Obama took office. It's the highest mark since 2004. About 44% say the nation is on the wrong track.

Two-thirds of Americans "feel hopeful" about Obama's plans, and 28% are "doubtful." The poll had troubling numbers for the GOP, whose support is near an all-time low, the Journal says. Twice as many Americans trust Democrats to steer the nation out of the recession, and half the respondents said Republicans opposed Obama's plans because of politics, not principles. (More President Obama stories.)