Last week’s reports of hopeful economic indicators did nothing to improve the American public’s negative opinion of President Obama’s stewardship of the nation’s economy. However, while most Americans describe the economy as in bad condition, there has been a slight uptick in the number who view the nation’s fiscal circumstances positively, according to the latest New York Times/CBS News poll.
The poll found 37 percent of those surveyed approve of Mr. Obama’s handling of the economy; 58 percent disapprove. These numbers are indistinguishable from the results of a CBS News poll taken last month, although better-than-expected unemployment numbers and other positive economic data were released last week. Interviewing for the nationwide poll was conducted Thursday through Sunday.
Last week’s encouraging reports on the economy may have had some influence on the public, however. While over all the impression of the economy remains negative, the number who see it in a positive light has grown slightly. In the latest poll, 37 percent said the economy was in good condition, up from 32 percent in last month’s CBS News poll.
Still, 61 percent regard the economy negatively, including a majority of all age and income levels, most independents and 80 percent of Republicans. Only among Democrats, people with a postgraduate education and blacks do a majority regard the economy as good.
There is division on whether the economy is improving or deteriorating, with about 3 in 10 each holding that view. Among the 42 percent who describe the economy’s trajectory as holding steady, about a third said it was in good shape while 6 in 10 said it was in poor condition.
The telephone poll of 1,000 adults has a margin of sampling error of plus or minus three percentage points. More results from this survey will be released on nytimes.com after 6:30 p.m.
