Public Opinion Snapshot: Public Optimistic on Obama’s Economic Plans

We’ve obviously got a long way to go to economic health in this country. But new Pew Research Center data show that by 65 percent to 28 percent the public is optimistic about the effect of Obama’s policies on economic conditions. And despite considerable concern about the budget deficit the public is also optimistic, by 55 percent to 36 percent, that Obama’s policies will bring down the deficit in the long run.

In the same survey the public gives 55-39 approval to the $800 billion stimulus plan that the conservatives denounced as a fearsome waste of money. And by 73-23 they say they approve of the government spending billions of dollars “to substantially increase spending on roads, bridges, and other public works projects.”

The public, unlike the conservatives, sees a lot to like in what Obama’s doing on the economy, and they’re willing to give his policies a chance to work. Too bad the conservatives can’t take a leaf from the public’s book on this one.

Read more public opinion from Ruy Teixeira

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