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THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2009
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Poll: US on 'Right Track' for First Time in 5 Years

48% are optimistic, up eight points in two months

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(AP) – For the first time in years, more Americans than not say the country is headed in the right direction, according to an AP poll. The percentage of Americans saying the country is headed in the right direction rose to 48%, up eight points from February, while 44% say the nation is on the wrong track. The last time optimism has trumped pessimism in the poll was January 2004, shortly after the capture of Saddam Hussein.

The poll is a sign that Barack Obama has used the first 100 days of his presidency to lift the public's mood, though 65% say it's difficult to get ahead and more than 90% worry about rising national debt. "He presents a very positive outlook," says one independent voter. In October 2008, just 17% said the country was heading in the right direction; that figure jumped to 36% after his election. The AP poll also found that more than 90% of Americans considered the economy an important issue—the highest figure ever recorded.

President Barack Obama at a news conference in the East Room of the White House in Washington, Tuesday, March 24, 2009.
President Barack Obama at a news conference in the East Room of the White House in Washington, Tuesday, March 24, 2009.   (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)
President Barack Obama smiles while on stage during a town hall meeting to discuss the economy, Tuesday, Feb. 10, 2009, at the Harborside Event Center in Fort Myers, Fla.
President Barack Obama smiles while on stage during a town hall meeting to discuss the economy, Tuesday, Feb. 10, 2009, at the Harborside Event Center in Fort Myers, Fla.   (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)
Despite the economic downturn, more Americans than not said the country was on the 'right track' for the first time since January 2004.
Despite the economic downturn, more Americans than not said the country was on the 'right track' for the first time since January 2004.   (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)
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ClingingToHope
Apr 23, 09 7:32 AM CDT
Do they only poll members of the democrat party? Obama is a one-term president who will have no positive legacy. "Ahoy, Navy SEALS! There be PIRATES in Washington!" Reply
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Doctor_Zaius
Apr 23, 09 7:47 AM CDT
Is it only now sinking in that you are not the majority you think you are or are you still clueless to this matter?
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Lula
Apr 23, 09 7:43 AM CDT
Want to bet?????? Reply
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sache
Apr 23, 09 8:04 AM CDT
NotnutsInPa, you are nuts. Don't be such a sore loser.You're pissed because Obama will succeed and YES serve a second term. Reply
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Reader68527298
Apr 23, 09 9:30 AM CDT
If this chaos in every facet of our American way of life is the right direction, God help us, because the end (of some kind) is coming as the Mayan's predicted (2012)! Obama was elected as our president, not God, and is a "public servant" and yet has gone beyond the authority of his position through his questionable policies to promote his every agenda, such as inserting government control in places where it has never been and should not be, (firing GM head, forcing some banks to take bailouts when they didn't want it, trying to control the radio and TV media, and now his decision to go after the Bush Administration determining they used torture tactics against those who's agenda is to kill Americans. His attitude to protect those who would kill thousands of Americans if given the chance is an insult to America and our soldiers who have given their life to protect Americans. His lack of pride in America is disgusting and makes him look weak. I would love to see Obama on the front lines in Afghanistan, facing the terrorists and see if he then feels a bit of "terror". Or if captured by them, finally understands the definition of terror. His ploy to keep the confusion and chaos going in different directions continues. As per the "Rules for Radicals” it’s the means to get the agenda for socialism through so those who would question are focused on the chaos and don't see the changeover. Don't let this happen, America! A whole generation of people under 30 has been taught to think the liberal think through our schools and colleges, and the rest not raised under the "socialistic think" continue to be brainwashed! You say how? Check out his link if you have the intelligence to understand "social engineering", http://www.crossroad.to/articles2/Reinventing2.htm If you dismiss this as “right wing garbage", God help you! The grassroots groups who are starting to see this and don't want their lives directed by government and their rights taken away began with the tea parties. We need to continue and not give up before it is too late and our voices are silenced forever! Reply
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